Privacy Policy

Effective Date: June 25, 2025
Ponak Psychology Inc.
Contact: admin@ponakpsychology.com | 403-957-5009
Address: Suite 460, 1000 Centre St N, Calgary, AB, T2E 7W6

Overview

At Ponak Psychology Inc., we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information, both in-person and online. As Registered Psychologists in Alberta, we comply with:

The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA, Alberta)
The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA, where applicable)
The standards of the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP)
Other applicable privacy and health legislation

This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you engage with us — whether through our services, website, or digital advertising.

Topics Covered

Your rights
Information we collect (clinical, website, and advertising-related)
How your information is used and shared
Communications and emails
Retaining and destroying your information
Updating or withdrawing your information
Location tracking
Website cookies and tracking technologies
Google Ads and remarketing
Contact forms
Links to other websites
Protecting children’s privacy
Security measures
Breach of privacy
Changes to this policy

Your Rights

You have the right to:

✔ Be informed about how your information is collected and used
✔ Access and request corrections to your personal information
✔ Request the removal or restriction of your information (subject to legal limits)
✔ Withdraw consent for the use of your information
✔ File a complaint with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta if you have concerns

Information We Collect

Clinical Services

We collect only what is reasonably necessary to:

Provide psychological services
Maintain accurate clinical records
Coordinate care (with your consent)
Manage billing and payments
Meet legal, ethical, and professional obligations

This includes: name, contact details, health history, session notes, assessments, and billing information.

Website and Digital Interactions

When you use our website or digital services, we may collect:

Technical data (IP address, browser type, device information)
Browsing activity and site usage (e.g., via Google Analytics)
Location information (via IP address and Google services)
Information submitted through contact forms (name, email, phone, message)
Interaction data through Google Ads and remarketing services

We do not sell your personal information.

Collecting Information About Your Physical Location

When you use our website or interact with digital advertising, we may collect information about your physical location using:

IP address
Device location settings
Google tools, including Google Ads and Analytics

This helps us provide relevant information, improve website functionality, and deliver geographically appropriate advertising.

Our Use of Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website may use cookies to:

Improve site functionality
Analyze website traffic (e.g., via Google Analytics)
Remember your preferences (e.g., language settings)
Help deliver relevant advertising through Google Ads

We do not use cookies to sell products or services directly.

Types of Cookies We May Use

Strictly Necessary Cookies: For essential website functions
Performance Cookies: To analyze site usage and improve functionality
Functionality Cookies: To remember preferences and enhance user experience
Advertising Cookies: To support Google Ads remarketing and interest-based ads

You can control cookie settings in your browser. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Google Ads and Content Network

We use Google Ads to promote our services. Google and its partners may use cookies to serve ads based on your previous visits to our website or other sites. This may include:

Interest-based advertising
Remarketing ads shown across websites you visit
Location-based advertising

You can manage or opt out of personalized advertising through:
https://www.aboutads.info/choices
https://www.youronlinechoices.eu (for European users)

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors engage with our website. This includes:

General demographic and usage information
IP address (not associated with your name)
Browsing patterns

You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking here:
https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Contact Forms

If you use our website contact form, we may collect:

Your name
Email address
Phone number
The contents of your message

We use this information only to respond to your inquiry or provide requested services. Please limit the information you provide to what is necessary for your inquiry.

Communications and Emails

When we communicate with you, we will use the email address or phone number you provided through our contact form, service inquiry, or clinical intake process. We may contact you by:

Email
Phone
Text message (SMS)
Other forms of electronic communication

We may send you:

Responses to your inquiries
Appointment confirmations or reminders
Information necessary to provide or maintain services
Occasionally, promotional information about our services or website content (unless you have opted out)

You may opt out of receiving promotional emails at any time by contacting admin@ponakpsychology.com. Please note that opting out of promotional communications does not apply to essential communications related to the provision of psychological services.

How Your Information is Used and Shared

We use your information to:

Provide psychological services
Respond to inquiries
Improve our website and services
Deliver relevant digital ads (Google Ads)
Meet legal, ethical, and professional obligations

We may share information with:

Other health professionals involved in your care (with your consent)
Trusted third-party service providers (e.g., website host, Google Ads)
Legal or regulatory bodies (e.g., CAP, as required)

We do not sell your information.

Retention and Destruction of Information

We retain your records according to CAP standards:

Adults: At least 10 years after last contact
Minors: At least 10 years after reaching age of majority

Digital advertising and analytics data is retained according to Google’s policies and is generally anonymized or aggregated.

Updating or Withdrawing Your Information

You can:

Request access to your personal information
Request corrections
Withdraw consent for information use (where legally permitted)

To make a request, contact admin@ponakpsychology.com or 403-957-5009.

Links to Other Websites

Our website may link to external sites. We are not responsible for their content or privacy practices. Please review their policies.

Protecting Children’s Privacy

Our services are intended for adults. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 18 through our website or advertising.

Security Measures

We use reasonable safeguards to protect your information, including:

Encrypted practice management system (Jane App)
Password-protected devices
Secure website hosting
Trusted, privacy-compliant service providers (e.g., Google)

However, no method of online transmission or storage is completely secure.

Breach of Privacy

In the event of a privacy breach posing a real risk of significant harm, we will:

Contain the breach
Notify you promptly
Report to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta
Notify the College of Alberta Psychologists, if required
Review our processes to prevent recurrence

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect legal or operational changes. The most current version will always be available on our website.

Contact Information

If you have questions or concerns, contact:

Privacy Officer: Davita Ponak, Registered Psychologist
📧 admin@ponakpsychology.com
📞 403-957-5009
🏢 Suite 460, 1000 Centre St N, Calgary, AB, T2E 7W6

You may also contact the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta at:
https://www.oipc.ab.ca