Privacy Policy

Respecting your privacy is of utmost importance to me, Dr. Karen Wong, C. Psych. This Privacy Policy outlines how personal information is collected, used, and protected when you interact with my website, www.drkarenwong.ca, email list, or related services.

Please note that submitting an inquiry through the contact form at www.drkarenwong.ca does not establish a formal therapeutic relationship. You are not considered a client of Dr. Karen Wong simply by reaching out through the contact form or sending an inquiry to hello@drkarenwong.ca. A therapeutic relationship is established only after mutual consent between you and Dr. Karen Wong is provided to begin psychological services. Until that consent is given by both parties, you are regarded as a member of the general public when submitting an initial inquiry or request.

1. What is Personal Information?

Personal information refers to information about an identifiable individual (i.e., name, email, mailing address, email address, phone number).

2. Collection of Personal Information

I collect personal information in the following contexts:

Website Use

When you visit my website, servers may automatically log standard data provided by your web browser. This may include your computer’s Internet Protocol (IP) address, your browser type and version, the pages you visit, the time and date of your visit, the time spent on each page, and other details.

Cookies are used to enhance your experience on this website. They are used analyze site usage and deliver customized content. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.

I may also collect data about the device you are using to access my website. This data may include the device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, device settings, and geo-location data. What is collected can depend on your device and software settings. It is recommended that you check the policies of your device manufacturer or software provider to learn what information they make available.

Direct Interactions

I may request personal details, such as:

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Mailing address

  • Health information, such as the reason for your seeking psychological services (for potential clients)

3. Purpose of Collecting Personal Information

Personal information is used to:

  • Provide therapeutic services, including assessment and treatment;

  • Communicate with you, such as responding to inquiries;

  • Maintain administrative and billing records;

  • Comply with legal and professional obligations, including regulatory requirements;

  • Improve website functionality and user experience; and

  • Provide information regarding special services, events, or opportunities that may be of interest to clients, potential clients, and others

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

I may share personal information with:

  • Third-party service providers, such as IT consultants, payment processors, or practice management platforms (e.g., Owl Practice, Jane App);

  • Regulatory bodies, such as the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, for audits or investigations;

  • Legal authorities if required by law, such as court orders or mandatory reporting obligations.

5. Protecting Your Personal Information

I implement measures to safeguard your data:

  • Paper records are stored in secure, restricted-access areas;

  • Electronic records are encrypted and/or protected by secure passwords.

6. Retention and Destruction of Personal Information

Personal records are retained for 10 years following the last date of contact, in accordance with regulatory requirements. When no longer required, paper records are securely shredded, and electronic files are permanently deleted.

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Review the personal information I have about you. Your identity may need to be verified before access is granted. A fee may apply for such requests. I may ask that your request be submitted in writing, and I will respond within 30 days. If access cannot be granted, I will provide an explanation.

  • Request corrections to factual inaccuracies in your personal health information. If an error is confirmed, I will update the record and, where necessary, inform relevant parties who previously received the incorrect data. If I disagree that a correction is warranted, I will document your concerns in the file and share this record with relevant recipients as appropriate.

  • Withdraw consent for specific uses of your information where applicable;

If you have a concern about my privacy policies and procedures or have a complaint about how your privacy has been handled, please do not hesitate to speak or write to me. I will acknowledge receipt of your complaint, investigate the matter, and respond to your concern.

Complaints or concerns regarding my privacy practices can also be addressed to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. They can be reached at:

Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario

2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M4W 1A8
Phone: (416) 326-3333

Web: www.ipc.on.ca

Finally, if you have a concern about the professionalism or competence of my practice, I encourage you to discuss those concerns with me directly. If I cannot satisfy your concerns, you are entitled to complain to my regulatory body. They can be reached at: 

The College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario 
110 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 500 
Toronto, Ontario  M4R 1A3Phone: (416) 961-8817

8. Limits to the Protection of Personal Health Information

Limits to the protection of your personal health information may include the following:

  • If you are in serious danger of physically harming either yourself or someone else, I will need to share information to ensure that you and others are safe.

  • If I have reason to suspect that a child or vulnerable person (i.e., a resident of a long-term care home) may be in need of protection, I will need to report this information to the appropriate organization (i.e., Children’s Aid Society in the case of children).

  • If a regulated healthcare professional is acting in a sexually inappropriate way towards a patient, I will need to report this healthcare professional to their regulatory body.

  • If I receive a court order for your records.

  • If law enforcement believes that information in your file may allow them to locate a missing person.

  • If your file is part of an investigation or quality assurance audit by the College of Psychologists of Ontario.

Finally, in case of a personal emergency experienced by me, I may give a colleague access to your personal information in order to notify you of this treatment interruption.

9. Updates to This Privacy Policy

This policy may be revised periodically to reflect updates in practices or legal requirements. The latest version will always be available on our website.

Contact Information:

Dr. Karen Wong, C.Psych.
Email: hello@drkarenwong.ca

Effective Date: January 20, 2025