Professional Ethics, Code Of Conduct & Confidentiality

I respect and expect that all counselors and educators to value and practice a high standard of professionalism. This means:

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• All clients have a right to their privacy. A client shares what they want when they want. Although it is always more productive to be open with a counselor, it can take some time to develop trust. 

• All clients should expect to be treated with respect and compassion. This means communication from a counselor should be professional an non-threatening. The counselor should be able to recognize that a client will not be always as emotionally regulated as the professional, and that is okay. However, any forms of threats or abuse made towards the counselor will not be tolerated.

• The client has the right to terminate the professional relationship at any point.

• The counselor holds the right to terminate the professional relationship but should provide reason why and that it is happening. Reasons may include conflict of interest, safety, terms of financial compensation for services not met, or incompatibility.

• All clients' information from point of contact onwards is protected and kept confidential by Canadian legislation.* A client can be reassured that all information is stored in a secure manner with zero access to anyone aside the counselor. The counselor has the legal and professional obligation to safeguard all information shared by client, including and not limited to health, relationships, employment, financial, substance use, gang affiliations, criminal records, etc. The counselor can only share relevant information with client permission. This may include but not limited to:

  • medical professionals​

  • the courts

  • family members

  • anyone the client requests

  • *unless otherwise arranged with specifics, ie parole/probation circumstances; in cases of medical emergency where emergency contacts are needed; if the counselor deems the client is in imminent danger of self inflicted harm or suicide attempt; if another individual is in imminent danger from client actions; if there are children being harmed or in imminent danger; then counselor has the obligation to reach out to a) emergency contacts with the knowledge of the client, or b) proper authorities, and where only relevant, not all, information is shared specific to the situation.

• A counselor should not knowingly engage with clients on Facebook or other sites that are deemed to cross professional boundaries. I will not follow as a "friend" nor accept a "friend request" from a client or someone connected to the client such as a partner or parent.

• A counselor should not engage in any relations with a client nor those members connected to a client beyond the professional counselor relationship.

• Each client has the right to safely practice their beliefs without judgement. This would include but not limited to political, cultural, religious, spiritual, health, sexual orientation and gender identification.