Coulee Winds Counselling ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you visit our website (the "Site") or contact us about our services.

We handle personal information in accordance with Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and, where applicable, Alberta's Health Information Act (HIA) and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
A note about counselling records: This policy covers information collected through the Site and general inquiries. Clinical information shared within a counselling relationship (session notes, intake forms, health history) is governed by stricter confidentiality obligations, which are explained in detail in the informed consent agreement you receive before beginning counselling.

1. Information We Collect
Information you provide to us:

Contact and inquiry information — When you fill out a contact form, email us, or call, we collect the information you choose to share, such as your name, email address, phone number, and the content of your message.

Booking information — When you book a consultation or appointment through our third-party booking platform (Jane App), you provide information such as your name, contact details, and appointment preferences directly to that platform.

Workshop and event registrations — If you register interest in workshops or psychoeducation sessions, we collect your name and contact details.

Information collected automatically:

Usage and device data — Like most websites, our Site (hosted on Wix) may automatically collect certain technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, device type, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit.

Cookies and similar technologies — The Site uses cookies and similar technologies to enable core functionality, remember preferences, and understand how visitors use the Site. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings; some features of the Site may not function properly without them.

We ask that you do not send sensitive personal or health information through the Site's contact forms or by email. These channels are appropriate for general inquiries and scheduling only.

2. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information collected through the Site to:

Respond to your inquiries and communicate with you;

Schedule, confirm, and manage consultations and appointments;

Provide information about workshops, psychoeducation sessions, or services you have asked about;

Operate, maintain, and improve the Site;

Meet our legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We do not use your personal information for third-party advertising.

3. When We Share Information
We share personal information only in limited circumstances:

Service providers — We use trusted third-party providers to operate the Site and our practice, including Wix (website hosting), Jane App (appointment booking and practice management), and email/telephone providers. These providers process information on our behalf and are subject to their own privacy and security obligations.

Legal requirements — We may disclose information when required or permitted by law, including where there is a risk of serious harm to you or others, suspected abuse or neglect of a child, or a court order. These limits to confidentiality are explained fully in the informed consent process for counselling clients.

Professional obligations — As a Canadian Certified Counsellor, Christine Oviatt adheres to the standards and ethical requirements of her professional association, which may involve limited information handling for purposes such as clinical supervision (with identifying details protected).

We never share your information for marketing purposes.

4. Where Your Information Is Stored
Our Site is hosted by Wix, and bookings are processed by Jane App. Jane App stores data on servers located in Canada. Wix and other service providers may store or process information on servers located outside of Canada (for example, in the United States or Europe). Where information is stored outside Canada, it may be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions. By using the Site, you acknowledge that your information may be transferred and stored as described.

5. How We Protect Your Information
We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information against loss, theft, and unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include secure hosting platforms, encrypted connections (HTTPS), access limited to those who need it, and secure practice-management software for client records.
No method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please use discretion when sending information online.

6. Retention of Information
We keep personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law and professional record-keeping standards. Clinical records are retained in accordance with applicable Alberta legislation and professional association requirements, which mandate minimum retention periods for counselling records, including records of minors. General inquiry information that does not lead to a counselling relationship is kept only as long as needed to respond to your inquiry.

7. Children's and Minors' Information
Our services include counselling for children and teens. Personal information about minors collected in connection with counselling services is handled with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, in accordance with Alberta law and professional standards. The Site itself is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children through the Site without parental involvement. If you believe a child has provided us personal information through the Site, please contact us so we can address it.

8. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you have the right to:

Access the personal information we hold about you;

Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information;

Withdraw consent to our collection, use, or disclosure of your information (subject to legal and contractual restrictions, and noting that this may affect our ability to provide services); Ask questions or make a complaint about our privacy practices.

To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the details below. You also have the right to make a complaint to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta (OIPC) if you believe your personal information has been handled improperly.

9. Third-Party Links
The Site contains links to third-party websites and services, including Jane App and external resources. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit, including Wix (wix.com/about/privacy) and Jane App (jane.app/privacy).

10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when it was most recently revised. Material changes will be posted on this page, and your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your personal information is handled, please contact:
Christine Oviatt — Privacy Contact
Coulee Winds Counselling
1905 10 Avenue S, Lethbridge, AB T1K 0B8
Email: christine@couleewindscounselling.ca
Phone: 587-800-3325
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
oipc.ab.ca | 1-888-878-4044