Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Dr. Megan Murphy, Psychologist

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

1. Commitment to Privacy

Safeguarding client information is a fundamental part of my practice. As a psychologist registered in British Columbia and the Yukon, I comply with:

  • Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
  • The BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA)
  • The Yukon Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA)
  • Standards of the The College of Health and Care Professionals of BC
  • Requirements of the Yukon Registrar of Psychologists
  • Guidelines of the Canadian Psychological Association
  • Applicable federal privacy legislation

This Privacy Policy explains how personal information is collected, used, disclosed, and protected in both jurisdictions.

2. What “Personal Information” Means

“Personal information” refers to any information about an identifiable individual that is collected, used, disclosed or processed by Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered in connection with services, operations or administration. It includes information about past, present and prospective clients of Dr. Megan Murphy Licensed/Registered Psychologist.

In both BC and the Yukon, this includes:

  • Name, age, and contact information
  • Medical and mental health history
  • Information about substance use
  • Family, developmental, or psychosocial information
  • Emergency contact details
  • Payment or insurance information
  • Information shared during therapy sessions

Under Yukon HIPMA, this also includes “personal health information”, which is defined broadly and includes any identifying information about physical or mental health, health services, or health‑related payments.

3. Accountability

Maintaining the privacy and security of your personal information is important to me.  I am responsible for the protection of all personal information under my control, whether collected in BC or the Yukon.

Privacy Officer: Dr. Megan Murphy, Psychologist

Phone: (604) 202‑4357

Email: megan@drmeganmurphy.ca

Clients may contact the Privacy Officer with questions about privacy practices in either jurisdiction.

4. How Personal Information Is Collected

When you visit my website, certain information may be collected automatically, such as: Date and time of visit; Pages viewed; Browser or device information. This information is used to help us make our website more accessible and easier to use.

Information is also collected when you: create an account in the Owl Practice; complete intake or consent forms; complete measures; contact me by phone or email; and participate in treatment sessions.

Information is collected, used and disclosed with the knowledge and consent of clients, except in circumstances in which applicable privacy or other laws permit or require me to collect, use, and disclose personal information without consent. By interacting through email or by phone, you are voluntarily providing your personal information and thereby giving your informed consent for us to collect, use and store for the purposes only outlined in this Privacy Policy. 

5. Withdrawal of Consent

Your consent to collection, use, or disclosure of personal information can be withdrawn at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.  The withdrawal of consent should be in written form, if possible. Those who withdraw consent to the collection, use or disclosure of their personal information should be aware that this may impact the services we are able to provide.  Also, you may not be permitted to withdraw consent to the collection of personal information that we are required by law to collect and maintain.  Questions about withdrawing consent should be directed to the Privacy Officer.

6. Why Personal Information Is Collected

Personal information is collected, used, and disclosed for purposes such as:

  • Providing clinical services
  • Communicating with you about services
  • Processing payments
  • Coordinating care with other health professionals (with your consent)
  • Responding to concerns or complaints
  • Conducting risk assessments and ensuring safety
  • Meeting legal, ethical, and regulatory obligations in BC and the Yukon

The personal information collected for the above purposes may include the following:

  • Name, contact information and identity information;
  • Emergency contact and medical information;
  • Medical and mental health history;
  • Information that you supply to us about your life, lifestyle, family or mental health;
  • Information collected in connection with our security and video surveillance systems;
  • Financial and payment information, where needed to process payments, including through insurance and benefits providers.

7. How Information Is Used and Disclosed

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist limits the personal information collected to information that is related to and necessary for carrying out programs and activities or for other purposes authorized by applicable laws. Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist seeks to collect personal information by fair, lawful, and transparent means, including by collecting personal information directly from the individual, except where otherwise authorized by applicable laws. Information is used only for the purposes for which it was collected unless you provide additional consent, or disclosure is required or permitted by BC or Yukon law.

Information may also be shared with service providers (e.g., Owl Practice) to support the delivery of services or Clinic management and administration and other health professionals, with your consent. All sharing occurs on a confidential, need‑to‑know basis.

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, maintains strict confidentiality; however, certain situations in both British Columbia and the Yukon require disclosure without client consent. These include: Serious safety concerns, where there is an imminent risk of harm to the client or others; Legal requirements, such as a valid court order or subpoena; Mandatory reporting obligations, including child protection or other situations required by law; and Professional regulation, where regulatory bodies in BC or the Yukon may review limited portions of client records to ensure safe and ethical practice.

Any disclosure is limited to what is necessary and is carried out in accordance with applicable privacy laws in both jurisdictions.

8. Accuracy and Correction of Information

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, makes reasonable efforts to ensure that personal information is accurate and up to date. Individuals may request corrections to their information under both PIPA and HIPMA. To help maintain the accuracy of personal information, individuals are encouraged inform clinic promptly of any changes. Individuals have the right to request the correction of personal information by contacting Privacy Officer. If a correction cannot be made, the individual may ask that a statement of disagreement be added to the record.

9. Retention and Destruction of Records

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, is required by regulatory bodies to collect and retain information related to the provision of psychological services. This may include demographic details, appointment and billing records, session notes, contact information, treatment plans, assessment materials, psychological testing data, and other relevant documentation. All information is collected for the purpose of delivering and managing clinical services and is stored securely in locked cabinets, on encrypted devices, or within a secure Canadian practice‑management system (OWL Practice). OWL Practice is encrypted and has servers exclusively located in Canada (Toronto and Montreal).

 Access to OWK Practice management system is limited to authorized individuals and governed by strict confidentiality protocols, with routine data backups to support privacy and regulatory compliance. In accordance with legal requirements, client records are retained for a minimum of 16 years in British Columbia and 10 years in the Yukon. After the retention period, records are securely destroyed.

10. How Personal Information Is Protected

I use physical, administrative, and technological safeguards to protect personal information.This includes:

  • Encrypted electronic records stored through the OWL Practice, which uses bank level encryption
  • Password‑protected accounts with two‑factor authentication
  • Secure storage of all clinical documentation

While strong safeguards are in place, no system can guarantee absolute security, and there is always some inherent risk when transmitting information electronically.

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, takes all reasonable precautions to protect personal information; however, no system can guarantee absolute security. Because internet‑based communication and storage can be vulnerable at times, the security of electronic data cannot be assured beyond what is reasonably practical.

11. Access to Your Personal Information

Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, provides individuals with the right to access their personal information in accordance with BC’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) and the Yukon’s Health Information Privacy and Management Act (HIPMA). Under these laws, individuals may request access to their records, ask for corrections, and, under HIPMA, receive an accounting of disclosures. Requests may be submitted in writing to the Privacy Officer (Dr. Megan Murphy Licensed/Registered Psychologist) who will receive and respond to such requests in accordance with the requirements of PIPA or, where applicable, other comparable laws. Requests will be responded to within the time limits set by PIPA, typically within 30 business days. If more time is required, individuals will be informed of the reason for the delay and the expected response date.

Access may be limited if releasing information would endanger someone’s safety, reveal confidential third‑party information, or be otherwise prohibited by law. If access is denied, a written explanation is provided along with information about available appeal options.

12. Privacy Breaches

Procedures are in place to address and respond to any actual or suspected privacy breach, including steps to contain the incident, assess its impact, and provide required notifications. Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, will issue all necessary notices in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

13. Questions, Concerns, or Complaints

Questions, concerns, or complaints regarding privacy, confidentiality, or the handling of personal information at Psych Consult should be directed to the Privacy Officer using the contact information provided above. Complaints must be submitted in writing and should include the individual’s name, contact information, a description of the concern, and any relevant details or documents. Once a complaint is received, Dr. Megan Murphy, Licensed/Registered Psychologist, will acknowledge receipt and initiate an internal review. The goal is to resolve all complaints in a fair, transparent, and timely manner, typically within 30 business days. If additional time is required, the individual will be informed of the reason for the delay and provided with an updated timeline. Individuals also have the right to seek assistance from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia and/or Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner.

14. Updates to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect changes in legislation or practice operations in BC or the Yukon. When updates occur, the “Effective Date” will be revised. It is recommended that users periodically review our Privacy Policy to ensure that they are aware of any updates.