Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 18, 2026
Flowstead Counselling is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information. This policy explains how personal information may be collected, used, stored, and disclosed when you visit this website, contact Flowstead Counselling, or access counselling services.
Privacy Officer
Alec Purnell, MSc, RCC, is the Privacy Officer for Flowstead Counselling and is responsible for ensuring that personal information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy legislation.
Privacy questions, concerns, access requests, or complaints can be directed to:
Alec Purnell, MSc, RCC
Privacy Officer, Flowstead Counselling
alec@flowsteadcounselling.ca
Information Collected
Flowstead Counselling may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:
Your name and contact information
Information submitted through the website contact form
Appointment and scheduling information
Information required to provide counselling services
Billing and payment information
Communications between you and Flowstead Counselling
This website may also collect limited technical information, such as browser type, device information, IP address, and website activity through Squarespace and its website tools.
Please do not submit detailed personal, medical, or highly sensitive information through the website contact form.
How Information Is Used
Personal information may be used to:
Respond to questions or requests
Determine whether Flowstead Counselling may be an appropriate fit
Schedule and provide counselling services
Maintain clinical and administrative records
Process payments and provide receipts
Communicate about appointments or services
Meet professional, ethical, legal, and insurance obligations
Maintain the functionality and security of the website
Flowstead Counselling does not sell personal information.
Consent
Personal information is collected, used, and disclosed with consent, except where otherwise permitted or required by law. You may withdraw consent in some circumstances, subject to legal, professional, and contractual limitations.
Submitting a website form or contacting Flowstead Counselling does not establish a therapeutic relationship. A therapeutic relationship begins only after services have been agreed upon and the required consent process has been completed.
Service Providers
Flowstead Counselling uses third-party service providers to operate the practice, including Squarespace for website hosting, Jane for scheduling, forms, clinical records, and virtual appointments, Google Workspace for business communications, and Jane Payments or its payment-processing partners for payments.
These providers may process or store information in accordance with their own privacy and security practices. Information processed outside British Columbia or Canada may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is processed.
Confidentiality and Disclosure
Personal information is not disclosed without consent unless disclosure is permitted or required by law. Circumstances requiring disclosure may include concerns about immediate safety, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, a court order, or other legal and professional obligations.
The limits of confidentiality are reviewed in greater detail as part of the counselling consent process.
Safeguarding Information
Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are used to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, disclosure, loss, or alteration. No online communication or electronic system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Email and website forms should not be used for emergencies or urgent clinical concerns.
Retention and Destruction
Personal information is retained only for as long as reasonably necessary and in accordance with applicable legal, professional, ethical, and insurance requirements. When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or destroyed.
Access and Correction
You may request access to your personal information or ask for inaccurate information to be corrected, subject to applicable legal and professional limitations. Requests can be submitted to the Privacy Officer using the contact information above.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Squarespace may use cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for website operation or that provide information about website activity. Browser settings can be used to limit or block cookies, although doing so may affect website functionality.
Privacy Questions or Complaints
Questions or concerns about this policy or the handling of personal information should first be directed to the Privacy Officer. Flowstead Counselling will review and respond to privacy concerns in a reasonable manner.
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in the practice, technology, service providers, or applicable requirements.