Informed consent involves two-way communication between you and your therapist. Your therapist will provide sufficient information so that you can agree to or refuse participation in the therapy process. Informed consent is a continuous process throughout the therapeutic relationship. You have the right to refuse and/or withdraw from services at any time. Please read carefully and feel free to ask any questions about what you have read.

The Onyx Approach

Your therapist is an independent contractor, operating under the group practice name, Onyx Therapeutics. You are encouraged to communicate directly with your therapist to schedule appointments and to discuss questions regarding your treatment. Each therapist is a regulated professional with registration to appropriate colleges. Your therapist is responsible for providing you with general information about their College, including contact information, should you require it. Onyx Therapeutics assumes no responsibility for any legal action involving its therapists.

While psychotherapy has many benefits, there are some potential emotional risks and discomforts. Throughout the therapy process, you may choose to discuss unpleasant personal life events. This can lead to increased feelings of sadness, anger, shame, or other emotions as well as potential interpersonal difficulties. Your therapist will support you through this process to invite feelings of safety and self-compassion. They will work in collaboration with you to create therapeutic conversations that may contribute to personal growth, self-awareness and empowerment.

Onyx Therapeutics does not provide diagnostic or prognostic information. Your therapist is available by appointment only, and is not accessible for crisis support.

Confidentiality

Although your therapist takes measures to protect your confidentiality during online therapy (e.g., using an online platform which adheres to all Canadian privacy protection legislation, conducting therapy sessions from a private and distraction-free environment, etc.), it is important to know that there is no way to guarantee the same standard for confidentiality in online therapy as in the case of in-person therapy (e.g., someone could overhear your conversation; conversations could be recorded by a third party; etc.). You can learn more about the privacy policies of Zoom here, which is the platform we use for online therapy sessions.

Information revealed by you during therapy sessions will be kept strictly confidential and will not be revealed to any other person or agency without your written permission. The list below defines the limited situations in which mandatory reporting may be required. In each situation, every effort will be made to communicate transparently with you about the report and you will be invited to participate in this process in a supportive manner.

• If you indicate an imminent risk of harming yourself or others.
• In situations where a child is considered to be at risk of physical harm, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or is witnessing violence.
• If you indicate that you are, or have been sexually abused by a regulated health professional.
• If a subpoena or summons is served by the courts; If information is requested to facilitate an investigation and a warrant is presented, or the release of information is authorized by provincial or federal law.
• If there is a medical emergency while you are in the office and emergency services need to be called, necessary information pertinent to medical treatment will be released and your emergency contact person may be notified.

Consultation and Documentation

In conformance with ethical guidelines and to assume the highest quality of care, all therapists engage in clinical supervision and consultation with other mental health professionals. Your anonymity will be maintained whenever possible during this process.

Progress notes are kept for each session. This information is kept in a locked cabinet, and strict measures are taken to keep this information secure. In the rare event that your confidentiality is compromised, your therapist will make an effort to inform you based on available contact information. Should your therapist discontinue practice with Onyx Therapeutics, your file will remain their property. Clinical records are kept for 10 years from the date of the last interaction, at which time they will be securely destroyed.

Fees

The fees for service are:

$150 per hour session with Registered Psychotherapist.

$150 per hour session with Registered Social Worker.

$220 per hour session with Psychologist.

We require e-transfer payment to he***@on**************.ca in advance of your scheduled session. A receipt, which includes your therapist’s registration/license number will be emailed to you. We do not bill insurance companies directly, and require full payment from you. It is your responsibility to follow the reimbursement process of your insurance provider.

Cancellation Policy

In order to respect the time and commitment of both our clients and therapists, whom we value greatly, we require a minimum of 24 hours notice if you cannot make it to a scheduled appointment. Your therapist will make every effort to reschedule the appointment with your scheduling preferences in mind. Late cancellations and missed appointments will be charged at the full rate of the appointment.

Acknowledgement and Consent

By filling out and submitting the Consent to Online Therapy form below, you indicate that you understand the terms of service as outlined above and that you voluntarily agree to receive and participate in the psychotherapy under the above terms. Furthermore, your consent represents an understanding that the information in this document is valid for the duration of your involvement with Onyx Therapeutics.