Last updated: September 21, 2025

Deborah Flowers respects your privacy. This policy explains how your personal information is collected, used, and protected when you visit this website, contact me, or receive counselling services.

I aim to comply with PIPEDA (Canada) and applicable provincial privacy laws (e.g., Alberta PIPA/HIA) as they apply to my practice.

Who I am

• Practice: Deborah Flowers

• Service area: Online across Canada; in-person in Three Hills, Alberta

• Contact: flowerscounselling@gmail.com | (604) 226-0652

What I collect

Website & inquiries

• Contact details you submit (name, email, phone), message content, preferred times.

• Basic technical data (IP address, device/browser, cookies) for site performance and security.

Clinical services

• Intake information, demographics, consent forms.

• Session notes and relevant health information.

• Scheduling, billing, and payment details.

Why I collect it (purposes)

• To respond to inquiries and manage appointments.

• To provide counselling services and maintain clinical records.

• To process payments and issue receipts.

• To operate, secure, and improve the website and telehealth tools.

• To meet legal, regulatory, ethical, and insurance obligations.

Lawful basis & consent

I primarily rely on your consent to collect and use personal information. You may withdraw consent — subject to legal/ethical limits and record-keeping requirements. Some processing is necessary for legitimate interests (e.g., practice security) or to comply with law.

How information is stored & protected

• Clinical records are kept in a secure practice system (e.g., an encrypted practice management/telehealth platform).

• Access is limited to authorized personnel (often only the clinician in a solo practice).

• Administrative safeguards — strong passwords, limited retention, need-to-know access.

• Technical safeguards — encryption in transit for telehealth, secure backups.

Note: Email and standard text messaging are not fully secure. Use them only for scheduling and general questions.

Third-party service providers

I may use reputable providers for scheduling, telehealth, forms, email, and payments (for example, a practice platform such as Jane App, email providers, or payment processors). These providers may store data in or outside Canada and are contractually required to protect it. I do not sell your personal information.

Retention

Clinical records are retained for the period required by applicable law and professional standards — typically up to 10 years after the last contact, or in the case of a minor, 10 years after reaching the age of majority — unless a longer period is legally required. Non-clinical inquiry emails are kept only as long as needed.

Your rights

Subject to applicable law, you may:

• Request access to your information and ask for corrections.

• Request restrictions on certain uses or withdraw consent.

• Ask about how information is stored, used, or shared.

To exercise your rights, contact flowerscounselling@gmail.com. I may need to verify your identity before responding.

Confidentiality & its limits

Confidentiality applies to counselling information with legal/ethical exceptions — such as risk of serious harm to self/others, suspected abuse/neglect, or court orders/subpoenas.

Cookies & analytics

This site may use necessary cookies for basic functions and optional analytics to improve performance. You can adjust browser settings to limit cookies; some features may not work as intended.

Children & teens

I work with clients ages 13+. For minors, consent involves the youth and, when required by law, a parent/guardian. Confidentiality with minors has additional considerations, which are reviewed during intake.

Changes to this policy

I may update this policy to reflect legal or practice changes. The “Last updated” date will change when updates occur.

Questions or concerns?
Email flowerscounselling@gmail.com or call (604) 226-0652.