RiverBe / Dr. Jennifer Metcalf’s Psychology Practice (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to maintaining the accuracy, confidentiality, and security of your personal information. This Website Privacy Policy describes the personal information that Dr. Jennifer Metcalf collects from or about users of the website www.RiverBe.com (the “Site”), as well as how we use and to whom we may disclose that information.
 
Please Note: This policy applies specifically to the use of this Site and initial digital service inquiries. A separate Practice Privacy Policy, detailing the collection, use, retention, and disclosure of Personal Health Information (PHI) for clinical services, is provided to clients (or their guardians) during the intake process in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and relevant Standards for Regulated Healthcare Professionals. The Practice Privacy Policy is also available to prospective clients upon request. 
 
1. Legislative Framework
This policy is drafted in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, including the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA). Additionally, as we provide virtual services to residents of Quebec, this policy adheres to the transparency and governance requirements of Quebec’s Law 25 (Act Respecting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector).
 
2. Collection of Personal Information
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you choose to contact us regarding psychological services. "Personal Information" refers to any information about an identifiable individual.
If you inquire about services, we typically collect, via a Secure Contact Form hosted by Hushmail for Healthcare:

• Names (yours or your child’s/ward’s).

• Contact details (email address, phone number).

• The general nature of your service request.

• Demographic details required to assess service fit (e.g., age of the client, presenting concerns).

 
Automated Collection (Cookies & Logs):
Like most websites, www.RiverBe.com may use cookies (small text files stored on your device) and server logs to collect non-identifiable technical data, such as your IP address, browser type, and operating system. This data is used solely to improve website functionality and security. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, though this may affect your ability to use certain features of the Site.
 
3. Secure Communications 
We prioritize the security of the information you provide digitally from the first point of contact. We discourage the use of standard, unencrypted email or text messaging for the transmission of sensitive personal health information. If you choose to send us personal information via regular email or text messaging, by doing so you are confirming that you accept the risks associated with those mediums and that you wish to proceed despite them. 
 
If, upon reviewing our Site, you choose to contact us, you will be directed to a Secure Contact Form hosted by Hushmail for Healthcare.

• Encryption: Hushmail uses encryption to protect the content of your message during transmission.

• Compliance: Hushmail is a secure platform designed to comply with PHIPA (Ontario) and PIPEDA (Canada).

• Third-Party Policy: By using this contact method, you acknowledge that your data is processed by Hushmail. You can review Hushmail’s Privacy Policy here: https://www.hushmail.com/privacy

 
4. How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected via the Secure Contact Form hosted by Hushmail for Healthcare strictly for the following purposes:

• To respond to your inquiries regarding psychological or professional consultation services.

• To determine if our services are a suitable fit for your/your family member’s needs.

• To obtain the contact information needed to schedule an initial consultation or intake appointment.

 
We do not and never will sell, rent, or trade your personal information or email address to/with third parties for marketing or advertising purposes. 
 
We do not and never will share your email address with mailing lists. We will never initiate contact with you unless the communication is account/service related, or unless you have consented to such communication.
 
5. Data Storage and Cross-Border Transfer
While RiverBe / Dr. Jennifer Metcalf operates primarily out of Ontario, digital service providers (such as website hosts or secure email/form providers like Hushmail) may maintain servers outside of your province of residence.
 
For Quebec Residents: Please be aware that your personal information may be communicated outside of Quebec (typically to secure servers in other Canadian provinces or the United States) for the purpose of hosting our secure contact forms and secure email platforms. We ensure that our service providers adhere to strict security standards comparable to those required in Quebec.
 
6. Consent
By using this Site and submitting information to us via Hushmail, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described in this Policy and Hushmail’s own Privacy Policy (https://www.hushmail.com/privacy). You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
 
7. Security of Information
We maintain physical, technical, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. This includes the use of SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology for our website and encrypted forms for communication. However, please remember that no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.
 
We discourage the use of standard, unencrypted email or text messaging for the transmission of sensitive personal health information. If you choose to send us personal information via regular email or text messaging, by doing so you are confirming that you accept the risks associated with those mediums and that you wish to proceed despite them. 
 
8. Third-Party Links
Our Site may contain links to other websites (e.g., resources, other service providers, regulatory bodies). We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such third-party websites. We encourage you to read the privacy statements of each website you visit.
 
9. Privacy Officer & Contact Information
If you have questions about this policy, or if you wish to access or correct your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer.
 
In accordance with Quebec Law 25 and Ontario regulations, the person responsible for the protection of personal information at RiverBe / Dr. Jennifer Metcalf’s Psychology Practice is:
 
Dr. Jennifer Metcalf, Psychologist
430 Gilmour Street, Suite 301
Ottawa, ON
K2P 0R8
Secure contact: https://hushforms.com/drjmetcalf-securecontact
 
10. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Website Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting the updated policy on the Site. The date at the top of this page indicates when it was last updated.