Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the website operated by Co & Associates (Garion Sparks Austin Social Work Professional Corp) ("Co & Associates," "we," "us," or "our"), and the therapy and counselling services we provide. By accessing or using this website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not use this website.

Co & Associates is a therapy and counselling practice based in Milton, Ontario, providing services through Registered Psychotherapists (RP) regulated by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and Registered Social Workers (RSW) regulated by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW).

2. Services

Co & Associates provides individual counselling, couples and family counselling, child and youth counselling, neurofeedback, and combined neurofeedback and therapy sessions. Services are offered in-person at our Milton, Ontario office and virtually to clients located in the Province of Ontario.

Our therapists are regulated health professionals who practise within the scope of their respective regulatory colleges. The services provided through Co & Associates are not a substitute for emergency medical care. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.

If you are in crisis, you may also contact Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (24/7), Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868, or Ontario 211 by dialling 2-1-1 for community and social services.

3. Website Use

This website is provided for informational purposes and to facilitate access to our services. The content on this website, including text, images, and other materials, is intended to provide general information about our practice and the services we offer. It is not intended as, and does not constitute, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

You agree to use this website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others or restrict or inhibit their use and enjoyment of the website.

4. No Therapist-Client Relationship

Accessing this website, submitting a contact form, or communicating with us through the website does not establish a therapist-client relationship. A therapist-client relationship is established only when you have been formally accepted as a client, have completed the required intake process, and have attended your first scheduled session with a therapist.

5. Professional Standards and Regulatory Compliance

All therapists at Co & Associates are bound by the professional standards and codes of ethics of their respective regulatory colleges. Registered Psychotherapists adhere to the Professional Practice Standards of the CRPO, and Registered Social Workers adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the OCSWSSW.

Our advertising and communications comply with CRPO Standard 6.2 (Advertising) and OCSWSSW Principle VII (Advertising and Communications). We do not guarantee specific therapeutic outcomes, and the information on this website should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of results.

6. Booking and Appointments

Appointments may be booked through our online client portal, by phone, or by email. By booking an appointment, you agree to attend at the scheduled time or provide at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule.

Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed without notice, may be subject to a late cancellation fee. The specific fee amount will be communicated to you during the intake process and is consistent with the fee policies outlined by your therapist.

7. Fees and Payment

Fees for services vary depending on the type of service and the therapist providing the service. Current fee information is available on our website and will be discussed with you prior to the commencement of services, in accordance with CRPO Standard 6.1 (Fees) and OCSWSSW Principle VI (Fees).

Payment is due at the time of service unless alternative arrangements have been made in advance. We accept credit cards and other electronic payment methods through our secure client portal.

Co & Associates does not bill insurance companies directly. We provide receipts that include the therapist's name, professional designation, and registration number, which you may submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement.

8. Confidentiality and Privacy

The privacy and confidentiality of your personal health information is protected by the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and other applicable laws. For detailed information about how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal health information, please review our Privacy Policy.

9. Virtual Therapy Services

Virtual therapy sessions are conducted through secure, encrypted video conferencing platforms that comply with Ontario privacy requirements. By participating in virtual therapy, you acknowledge the following:

You are responsible for ensuring that you are in a private, confidential space during your session. You understand that while we use secure technology, no electronic communication is entirely free from risk. You confirm that you are physically located in the Province of Ontario at the time of your virtual session, as our therapists are regulated to practise within this jurisdiction.

If technical difficulties arise during a virtual session, your therapist will attempt to reconnect with you. If the session cannot be resumed, your therapist will contact you to reschedule.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, images, and design elements, is the property of Co & Associates or its licensors and is protected by Canadian copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content on this website without our prior written consent.

11. Third-Party Links

This website may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Co & Associates. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or policies of any third-party websites. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement by Co & Associates.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Co & Associates, its therapists, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of this website or our services. This includes, but is not limited to, damages for loss of data, loss of profits, or interruption of services.

Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes liability that cannot be limited or excluded under applicable Ontario or Canadian law, including liability for personal injury or death caused by negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Co & Associates, its therapists, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or related to your breach of these Terms or your use of this website.

14. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

If you have a concern about the services you have received, we encourage you to raise it with your therapist or with our office directly at [email protected] or 905-805-6728.

You also have the right to contact the relevant regulatory college. For Registered Psychotherapists, contact the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) at crpo.ca. For Registered Social Workers, contact the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) at ocswssw.org.

15. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Ontario.

16. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective when posted on this website with an updated "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the website after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

18. Contact Information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us: Co & Associates, 243 Main St E, Suite 201 & 203, Milton, ON L9T 1P1. Phone: 905-805-6728. Email: [email protected].