This Privacy Policy applies to the website drrukavina.com and the online platforms used in the delivery of professional psychological services and information (collectively, the “Sites”).
The Sites are hosted and supported by external service providers, such as Squarespace for website hosting and Jane App for scheduling and secure communication. The professional content and services provided through these platforms are administered by Dr. Rosemary Rukavina, a registered psychologist in British Columbia.
This Policy reflects obligations under:
• The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
• The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
• The College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia (CHCPBC) standards
• Relevant Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) ethical guidelines
Consent Notice: By using the Sites, individuals consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information as described in this Policy. Those who do not agree with this Policy should discontinue use of the Sites.
1. Scope
• Online Coverage Only: This Policy applies solely to information collected online through the Sites.
• Exclusions: It does not apply to offline interactions or to information gathered within a formal psychologist–client relationship (which is governed by CHCPBC standards, CPA ethics, and provincial legislation).
• No Therapeutic Relationship: Contacting Dr. Rukavina through the Sites does not in itself create a psychologist–client relationship.
2. Privacy Officer / Privacy Contact
Dr. Rosemary Rukavina is the privacy contact for this practice and is responsible for privacy compliance.
• Privacy Contact Email: info@drrukavina.com
• Response Timeframe: Privacy concerns will be reviewed and responded to within a reasonable timeframe.
• Regulatory Contact: Clients who have concerns about their care or the handling of their personal information may also contact the College of Health and Care Professionals of British Columbia for guidance or to file a complaint.
3. Information Collected
3.1 Personal Information
Personal information is collected only when voluntarily provided. This includes:
• Newsletters: Name and email address provided upon subscription.
• Contact Form: Information submitted through the website contact form, which may include mental-health-related details.
• Scheduling & Payments: Appointment, contact, and payment details submitted through Jane App (credit card information is processed securely by Jane App and is not stored by Dr. Rukavina).
• Email Correspondence: Messages received via Gmail / Google Workspace.
• Referral Directories: Contact information forwarded from third-party professional networks (e.g., Gottman Referral Network, EMDR Canada, EMDRIA, CounsellingBC).
Important Note on Sensitive Information: Sensitive or mental-health information submitted online is treated confidentially, but it is not considered part of a clinical record unless you become a client. If an individual does not pursue services, this information will be deleted when no longer needed.
3.2 Non-Personal / Technical Information
• Automatically Collected Data: Non-identifying technical details such as IP address, browser/device type, pages viewed, and time spent on the Sites.
• Analytics Provider: Gathered primarily through Google Analytics.
3.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
• Necessary Cookies: Used to support basic website functionality.
• Analytics Cookies: Set by third-party providers (such as Google Analytics) to track visitor interactions, browser type, device type, and general location.
• Managing Cookies: Visitors can adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies, though some features may not function as intended if cookies are disabled.
4. How Personal Information Is Used
Personal information is used to:
• Respond to user inquiries
• Manage appointments and secure communications through Jane App
• Deliver newsletters or updates voluntarily subscribed to
• Process payments securely through Jane App
• Communicate administrative or service-related details
• Maintain appropriate clinical and administrative records
• Comply with professional, legal, and regulatory requirements
Note: Non-personal information is used strictly to evaluate website performance and improve user experience.
5. Confidentiality and Limits
In accordance with CHCPBC and CPA standards, personal and health information is kept strictly confidential. Exceptions apply only when disclosure is required by law or ethical obligations:
• Serious and imminent risk of harm to the individual or others
• Suspected child abuse or neglect
• A court order, subpoena, or other legal requirement
• Concerns regarding the safety of a vulnerable person
• Professional consultation (where identifying information is minimized and confidentiality is maintained)
Emergency Warning: Confidentiality limits apply within a formal therapeutic relationship. The Sites’ contact form is not intended for emergencies or urgent mental-health concerns.
6. Third-Party Service Providers
Trusted third-party providers assist in operating the Sites and delivering services:
• Google Analytics: Website performance and usage analytics
• Gmail / Google Workspace: Email communications
• Jane App: Scheduling, secure messaging, client records storage, and payment processing
• Squarespace: Website hosting
• External Directories: Professional marketing platforms (Gottman Referral Network, EMDR Canada, EMDRIA, CounsellingBC) that forward user inquiries
Key Data Safeguards:
• Usage Restrictions: Third-party providers only access personal information as needed to perform specific operational tasks and are forbidden from using it for marketing.
• Cross-Border Storage: Some providers store or process information outside Canada (e.g., in the United States), subjecting data to local jurisdiction laws.
• No Data Sales: Personal information is never sold or rented to third parties.
7. Data Storage and Security
Administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are maintained in line with CHCPBC and CPA standards:
• HTTPS website encryption
• Secure storage and encrypted communication via Jane App
• Restricted access to personal information
• Strong passwords paired with multi-factor authentication (MFA) where available
In the event of a privacy breach, affected individuals will be notified in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
8. Data Retention
Information is retained only as long as necessary to fulfill professional, legal, and regulatory requirements:
• Contact Form Submissions: Kept for up to 12 months unless integrated into a clinical record.
• Newsletter Subscriptions: Retained until an individual unsubscribes.
• Google Analytics Data: Retained according to Google’s standard settings.
• Clinical Records (stored in Jane App):
• Retained for at least 7 years after the last clinical interaction.
• For minors, retained until age 19 plus 7 additional years.
9. Individual Rights
Under PIPA, PIPEDA, and professional standards, individuals have the right to:
• Access their personal information held by the practice
• Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data
• Withdraw consent for non-essential uses
• Request deletion of information (where legally and ethically permissible)
• Inquire about storage, security, and disclosure practices
Request Process:
• Submit requests in writing with sufficient detail to identify the information requested.
• Identity verification may be required prior to releasing, modifying, or deleting records.
10. Children’s Privacy
• Age Requirement: The Sites are intended for individuals aged 18 and older.
• Minor Data: Information from minors is not knowingly collected without parental/guardian consent. Any information submitted without appropriate consent will be deleted.
11. External Links
• The Sites may contain links to independent external websites.
• Dr. Rukavina does not control third-party privacy practices; users should review external privacy policies independently.
12. Changes to This Policy
• This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically.
• The revision date at the top indicates the most recent update.
• Continued use of the Sites signifies acceptance of any updated terms.
13. Contact Information
For questions, privacy concerns, or requests regarding personal information, please contact:
• Email: info@drrukavina.com
• Website: drrukavina.com