Privacy Policy & Disclaimer

Last Updated: July 2025

Welcome to Jacobs Psychotherapy. Your privacy and safety matter deeply. This page outlines how your personal information is collected, used, and protected when visiting this website or engaging with Jacobs Psychotherapy online. It also sets clear boundaries about what this website offers, and what it does not.

1. Who We Are

This website is operated by Jacobs Psychotherapy, the private practice of Victoria Jacobs, M.A., Registered Psychotherapist. Providing psychotherapy services to teens and young adults in Ontario, Canada. This site is intended for informational purposes only. Visiting this site or contacting Jacobs Psychotherapy through the site does not create a therapist–client relationship.

2. Your Consent

By using this website and submitting your information through forms or email, you consent to the collection, use, and storage of your personal information as outlined in this policy. If you do not consent, please refrain from submitting personal data. You may withdraw consent at any time by contacting victoria@jacobspsychotherapy.ca. Please note that withdrawal may limit our ability to respond or engage further.

3. What Personal Information Is Collected

Jacobs Psychotherapy may collect the following information:

Voluntarily submitted data: Name, email address, phone number, and inquiry details through contact forms or emails.
Website data: General usage information (IP address, browser, pages visited, time on site) collected through cookies or analytics tools.

If you become a client, personal health information (PHI) is collected through a secure client portal and stored in accordance with PHIPA and CRPO standards.

4. How Your Information Is Used

Your information may be used to:

Respond to inquiries or consultation requests
Coordinate appointments or services
Improve the website’s performance and user experience
Maintain clinical records if you become a client

Jacobs Psychotherapy does not sell, rent, or share personal information for marketing purposes.

5. Third-Party Services

Jacobs Psychotherapy may use the following third-party platforms:

Jane App: A PHIPA-compliant practice management system for clinical forms, scheduling, and payment.
Squarespace: Website hosting platform.
Google Analytics: For anonymous website traffic data.

These services may collect or process limited data. Please review their individual privacy policies for more information.

6. Cookies and Analytics

This website uses cookies and Google Analytics to monitor site traffic and improve user experience. Cookies collect data such as IP address, time on site, and pages visited. No sensitive or clinical information is collected through cookies.

You can disable cookies via your browser settings. This may affect website performance but not access.

7. Email and Contact Forms

Standard email and contact forms are not secure for transmitting personal health information. These tools are intended for general inquiries only.

If you become a client, all communications will occur through a secure, encrypted client portal.

8. Newsletter or Marketing Emails

Jacobs Psychotherapy does not currently send marketing emails or newsletters. If this changes, your consent will be requested, and an option to unsubscribe will be available at any time.

9. Recording of Sessions

Sessions are not recorded unless explicitly discussed and agreed upon in writing. If recorded for clinical purposes, they are securely stored and deleted after their intended use.

10. Data Retention and Storage

Inquiry data is retained only as long as needed to respond to your request.
Clinical records are securely stored in Jane App for a minimum of 10 years (or 10 years after a minor turns 18), in accordance with PHIPA.
Physical documents (if any) are kept in a locked file cabinet.
Digital files are password-protected and encrypted.
Data is securely deleted or destroyed when no longer required.

11. Clinical Relationship Disclaimer

This website provides general information about services and mental health topics. It is not a substitute for therapy or clinical care.

Sending a message, reading a blog post, or exploring the site does not create a therapeutic relationship. That relationship begins only after a signed consent form and formal intake session.

12. Crisis Support

Jacobs Psychotherapy does not provide emergency mental health support. If you are in crisis, please contact:

911 or your local emergency room
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

13. External Links

This website may link to other websites or resources. Jacobs Psychotherapy is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or security of any third-party websites. Users are encouraged to read the terms and policies of those sites independently.

14. Intellectual Property

All content on this website—including written materials, branding, downloadable resources, graphics, and course material—is the exclusive property of Jacobs Psychotherapy and the Wix.com platform. No part may be copied, reused, or distributed without written permission.

15. Terms & Conditions of Use

By using this website, you agree to the following conditions:

a. Acceptable Use

You agree not to:

Use the website for any unlawful or harmful purpose
Upload or send any offensive, harmful, or false material
Attempt to disrupt or misuse the site’s functionality
Violate intellectual property rights or impersonate another person

Violating these terms may result in blocked access and potential legal action.

b. Sale of Services or Products

If Jacobs Psychotherapy offers courses, downloads, or other paid services in the future, all transactions will be clearly described at the point of purchase. Refund policies and disclaimers will also be made available where applicable.

Use of any products or services will be at your own discretion and risk.

c. Payments

If you submit a payment through this website or a linked service (e.g. Jane), you confirm that:

You are authorized to use the payment method provided
You accept the terms outlined at the time of payment
Jacobs Psychotherapy may cancel or refund a payment if needed due to error or fraud

16. Limitation of Liability

Jacobs Psychotherapy is not liable for any loss, damage, or claim resulting from your use of this website, reliance on its content, or use of any linked services. All site content is provided “as is” for educational purposes only.

17. Indemnity Clause

By using this site, you agree to hold Jacobs Psychotherapy harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities resulting from misuse of the website or violation of these terms.

18. Governing Law

This policy is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and complies with:

PHIPA (Personal Health Information Protection Act)
CRPO Standards of Practice
CASL (Canadian Anti-Spam Law)
PIPEDA (as applicable)

Any legal disputes shall fall under the jurisdiction of Ontario courts.

19. Changes to This Policy

This page may be updated periodically to reflect changes in laws, services, or website functionality. The most current version will always be posted here.

Last updated: January 2025

20. Questions or Requests

If you have any questions about this policy please contact: victoria@jacobspsychotherapy.ca