Clinical Client Rights & Responsibilities
You have the right to:
- Be treated fairly, honestly, and respectfully by all staff without regard to race, culture, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs or socio-economic status and in accordance with the Canadian Human Rights Act.
- Privacy and confidentiality, except for legal and ethical limitations, or when you have given informed consent to obtain or release information
- Be considered the expert in your own life experience
- Access your personal information in your confidential file by appointment
- Information about services prior to beginning a program
- Inquire about the qualifications, training, and experience of our staff
- Express complaints about services received by speaking to your counsellor directly, you may speak to the Program Manager, the Clinical Director or the Executive Director and/or a public regulatory licensing body. If your complaint is not resolved, you may make a written complaint. Please click here for additional information about our Complaints Process
- Request a letter addressed to you that notes the dates of service and program service description.
You have the responsibility to:
- Supply information reasonably requested to allow staff to assist you in determining service needs and in developing and carrying out your plan
- Be actively involved in all aspects of your services
- Inform staff of any medical condition, disability, or cultural need that requires our awareness or accommodation in providing service
- Treat others with fairness, honesty and respect, including maintaining the privacy of other clients
- Inform us if you are unable to attend an appointment or will be late. For fee-based services, 24 hours notice of cancellation is required for child and youth counselling, and 48 hours notice of cancellation for adult counselling, or the regular fee will be charged
- Let us know if your address or telephone number has changed
- Let us know if you no longer choose to participate in all or part of the services
Benefits of Counselling may include:
- A better understanding of your own thoughts, emotions and behaviours
- Improved interpersonal relationships
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased capacity to cope with a variety of stressors and life challenges
- Feelings of relief, or resolution of trauma symptoms, increased resiliency
- Developed skills, and a healthier relationship with yourself and others
Risks of Counselling:
- Bringing up strong or unanticipated feelings or memories
- Facing uncomfortable issues or aspects about yourself that you are unaware of; I will carefully monitor and track with you, when exploring places outside of your comfort zone that can expand your capacity for positive change
- Experience feelings of vulnerability or tiredness after counselling, which may be unfamiliar and difficult
- Difficulty when other people in your life are resistant to positive changes your make
Service Limitations:
- Counsellors do not monitor or prescribe medications
- Counsellors will not be a voluntary witness in court
- Counsellors will not provide legal letters to lawyers for court procedures