**Last updated: October 22, 2026**
OttawaCounselling.ca is an independent directory that helps people find mental health practitioners in Ottawa and surrounding communities. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and which service providers support the website.
## What We Collect
**Practitioner information**
When practitioners apply for a listing, we may collect account details, name, contact information, professional registration details, credentials, biography, practice location, session price, availability, areas of support, therapy modalities, client groups, languages spoken, and other information provided through the registration form.
Where applicable, we also collect information about direct billing arrangements, participating insurers or billing platforms, and whether a practice is an HCAI-approved facility for motor vehicle accident (MVA) benefits.
Practitioners may provide additional language information when selecting “Other” in the language field.
**Client information**
Clients may provide search criteria such as location, neighbourhood, areas of support, therapy modalities, languages, and insurance or direct billing preferences. If client accounts, saved therapists, or saved searches are enabled, we may also process the information needed to provide those features.
We may receive information submitted through contact forms or messages sent to us.
Please do not submit sensitive personal or health information through general contact forms.
## What We Don’t Collect
OttawaCounselling.ca is a directory, not a therapy provider. We do not provide therapy or collect information about private conversations between clients and practitioners that take place outside our website.
We do not intentionally request detailed information about a client’s mental health condition as part of an ordinary directory search.
Information submitted voluntarily through forms or account features may still be collected and processed as described in this policy.
## How We Use Information
We use information to:
– Operate the directory and provide search and filtering features.
– Review practitioner registration details against the relevant regulatory college’s public register.
– Publish and maintain practitioner profiles.
– Manage practitioner applications, accounts, membership plans, and payments.
– Display relevant practice details, including direct billing and HCAI information where applicable.
– Respond to enquiries and provide website support.
– Maintain website security, troubleshoot technical issues, and understand website usage through analytics.
A registration check confirms the information available in the relevant public register at the time of verification. It does not guarantee a practitioner’s identity, qualifications, services, or ongoing registration status.
## Cookies and Analytics
The website may use cookies or similar technologies where required for website functionality, preferences, security, and analytics.
We use Google Analytics and Hostinger Analytics to help understand website traffic and usage. These services may process technical information such as pages visited, device or browser information, and usage events, depending on the applicable configuration.
Please review the relevant service providers’ privacy information for further details. Any cookie consent or opt-out options provided by the website should be used where applicable.
## Third-Party Services
OttawaCounselling.ca uses third-party service providers to operate the website, including:
– **Hostinger:** website hosting.
– **Square:** practitioner membership payments and payment processing.
– **Gmail / Google:** email communications.
– **Google Analytics:** website analytics.
– **Hostinger Analytics:** website usage analytics.
Where applicable, information may be processed by these providers to deliver their services, subject to their own terms, privacy policies, and applicable requirements.
Payments are processed through Square. OttawaCounselling.ca does not intend to store complete payment card details on its own website.
## How Long We Keep Information
We retain information for as long as necessary to operate the directory, manage practitioner accounts and memberships, respond to enquiries, maintain appropriate records, and meet applicable legal or administrative requirements.
**The specific retention period and deletion process for practitioner and client account information after account closure are subject to confirmation.** We will update this section once the retention and deletion policy has been approved.
To ask about your information or request access, correction, or deletion, please contact us using the email address below. Requests may be subject to applicable legal, contractual, and record-keeping requirements.
## Your Privacy Choices
You may contact us to ask about personal information associated with you or to request that inaccurate information be corrected.
If you have an account, you may also be able to update certain information through the available account features. The availability of account closure, saved-search management, and deletion options depends on the features currently implemented on the website.
## Privacy Contact
For privacy questions or requests relating to personal information, contact:
**Email:** info@ottawacounselling.ca
Please avoid including sensitive health information in your initial email.
## Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our website features, service providers, or privacy practices change. The latest version will be published on this page with its updated date.
