Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 7, 2025

Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Lighthouse Institute ("we," "our," or "the Institute") is committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of our clients. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your Personal Information and Personal Health Information (PHI) in accordance with Ontario’s privacy laws.

As a healthcare provider in Ontario, the Lighthouse Institute and its practitioners act as Health Information Custodians (HICs) under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA).

1. Definitions

  • Personal Health Information (PHI): Identifying information about your physical or mental health, including medical history, therapy session notes, diagnoses, treatment plans, and any information related to payments for healthcare.

  • Personal Information: Information that identifies you as an individual but is not clinical in nature, such as your home address, personal email, and credit card details.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to provide high-quality psychological services and to maintain the safety of our clients.

2.1 Personal Information

  • Contact details (name, address, phone number, email).

  • Emergency contact information.

  • Financial information for billing and payment processing.

2.2 Personal Health Information

  • Mental health history and current symptoms.

  • Family medical history (where relevant to treatment).

  • Clinical notes, assessments, and psychological test results.

  • Communications between you and your therapist.

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 Provision of Care

  • To assess your mental health needs and provide psychotherapy.

  • To develop and implement treatment plans.

  • To communicate with other members of your "Circle of Care" (with your consent).

3.2 Administrative Purposes

  • To schedule appointments and send reminders.

  • To process payments, issue receipts, and manage insurance claims.

  • To comply with the regulatory requirements of the College of Psychologists of Ontario or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).

4. Consent

4.1 Express vs. Implied Consent

  • Express Consent: We obtain your verbal or written consent for the collection and use of your information during the intake process.

  • Implied Consent (Circle of Care): Unless you tell us otherwise, we may share your PHI with other healthcare providers currently involved in your care (e.g., your family doctor) if it is necessary for your treatment.

4.2 Withdrawal of Consent

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time. However, legal and professional standards require us to maintain clinical records of any services already provided.

5. Disclosure of Information

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of therapy. We do not disclose your information without your permission, except in the following legal "duty to report" circumstances:

  • Safety: If there is a significant risk of serious bodily harm to yourself or others.

  • Abuse: If there is reason to suspect that a child under 16 is being abused or neglected.

  • Professional Misconduct: If we have reason to believe another regulated health professional has sexually abused a client.

  • Legal Mandate: If a court issues a subpoena or warrant for your records.

  • Long-Term Care: Reporting abuse or neglect of a resident in a Long-Term Care home or Retirement home.

6. Data Security

We employ rigorous safeguards to protect your data:

  • Administrative: Staff are trained on privacy protocols and sign confidentiality agreements.

  • Technical: We use PHIPA-compliant, encrypted software for video sessions and electronic record-keeping.

  • Physical: Any paper files are kept in double-locked, secure cabinets within the Institute.

  • No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All other categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties

7. Retention and Disposal

  • Clinical Records: Retained for 10 years after the date of the last entry.

  • Records for Minors: Retained for 10 years after the individual turns 18.

  • Secure Disposal: Electronic data is permanently deleted, and physical files are cross-cut shredded once the retention period ends.

8. Your Rights

Under PHIPA, you have the following rights regarding your record:

  1. Access: You may request to view or receive a copy of your clinical file.

  2. Correction: If you believe your record contains an error, you may request a correction. If we disagree with the correction, you have the right to attach a "Statement of Disagreement" to the file.

  3. Inquiries: You may ask questions about our privacy practices at any time.

9. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or wish to make a formal privacy request, please contact our Privacy Officer:

Lighthouse Institute Attn: Privacy Officer

Address: 104-360 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1S6

+1 (647) 648-9811

support@thelighthouseinstitute.ca

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC)

If your concern is not resolved to your satisfaction, you have the right to contact the IPC: Address: 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, ON M4W 1A8

Phone: 416-326-3333

Web:www.ipc.on.ca