Beyond Roots Counselling

Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 2026

1. Who We Are

Beyond Roots Counselling is a private counselling practice operated by Lilly Gonoratsky, MSc, a Licensed Counselling Therapist registered with the Alberta Counselling Therapists Association (ACTA #3020). We provide individual therapy services in-person in Southwest Calgary and online across Alberta.

Contact:
Beyond Roots Counselling
Southwest Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Phone: (403) 667-0394

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

  • Contact information: Your name, email address, and phone number when you submit an inquiry or book an appointment.
  • Clinical information: Information you share during sessions, intake forms, and assessments — including mental health history, presenting concerns, and session notes.
  • Billing information: Payment details processed securely through our booking and payment systems.
  • Website usage data: Anonymized analytics data (via Google Analytics) such as page views, session duration, and referral source to help us improve our website.
  • UTM / advertising data: If you arrived via a Google Ad, we may capture campaign parameters (utm_source, utm_medium, etc.) to measure advertising effectiveness. This data is never shared.

3. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used solely to:

  • Respond to your inquiries and schedule appointments
  • Provide and document counselling services
  • Process payments
  • Comply with professional and legal obligations under Alberta law
  • Improve the website and understand how clients find us (anonymized analytics only)

We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

4. Confidentiality & Clinical Records

All clinical information shared in the context of therapy is strictly confidential. As a registered therapist, Lilly is bound by the ethical and professional standards of the Alberta Counselling Therapists Association (ACTA).

Confidentiality may only be broken in limited circumstances required by law, including:

  • A reasonable belief that you or another person is at risk of serious harm
  • A court order or legal subpoena
  • Mandatory reporting obligations (e.g., suspected child abuse)

Any such disclosures will be limited to what is strictly necessary.

5. How We Store & Protect Your Information

Clinical records are stored securely using Jane App, a Canadian-based practice management platform that is compliant with PIPEDA and provincial health privacy legislation. Electronic communications (emails, messages) are stored on password-protected, encrypted systems.

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss.

6. How Long We Retain Your Information

Clinical records are retained for a minimum of 10 years following the last date of service, or 10 years after a minor client turns 18, in accordance with Alberta professional standards. After this period, records are securely destroyed.

Inquiry data (e.g., contact form submissions from people who did not become clients) is retained only as long as necessary to respond to the inquiry and is deleted within 12 months.

7. Your Rights Under PIPEDA

Under Canada's Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), you have the right to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you
  • Request corrections to inaccurate information
  • Withdraw consent to non-essential data collection at any time
  • Ask how your information is being used and with whom it has been shared

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at (403) 667-0394.

8. Cookies & Analytics

Our website uses Google Analytics to collect anonymized data about how visitors interact with the site. This data does not identify you personally and is used only to improve the website experience. Google Analytics may use cookies to track sessions.

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

9. Online Sessions (Telehealth)

Virtual therapy sessions are conducted using secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platforms. By participating in online sessions, you acknowledge that no technology is 100% secure and agree to take reasonable precautions on your end (e.g., using a private location and secure internet connection).

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please reach out:

Lilly Gonoratsky, MSc
Beyond Roots Counselling
Phone: (403) 667-0394
SW Calgary & Online Alberta

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