Terms Of Service – Virtuous Circle Counselling

These Website Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern access to and use of the Virtuous Circle Counselling (“VCC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) website.

By accessing or using this website, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the website.

1. GENERAL INFORMATION – NOT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only. Website content is not intended to constitute psychological, counselling, medical, legal, or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be relied upon as a substitute for individualized professional advice or care.

Use of this website, including submitting an inquiry, clinician-matching request, or contact form, does not by itself establish a therapist-client, psychologist-client, or other professional relationship with VCC or any VCC clinician.

A professional relationship is established only through VCC’s applicable intake, informed-consent, and service processes.

2. EMERGENCIES AND CRISIS SITUATIONS

This website and its contact, inquiry, and clinician-matching forms are not intended for emergency or crisis communication and are not continuously monitored for urgent concerns.

If you are experiencing an emergency or believe there is an immediate risk of harm, call 911 or access the appropriate emergency or crisis service in your location.

3. PERMITTED USE OF THE WEBSITE

You may access and use this website for lawful personal and informational purposes.

You may not:

• use the website in violation of applicable law;
• interfere with, disrupt, damage, or compromise the operation or security of the website;
• attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website, accounts, systems, servers, or data;
• introduce viruses, malicious code, or other harmful technologies;
• use bots, automated tools, scraping technologies, data-mining tools, or similar methods to systematically copy, extract, harvest, reproduce, or collect website content or data without VCC’s prior written authorization, except where such activity cannot lawfully be restricted;
• impersonate another person or intentionally provide false or misleading information through the website;
• use website content in a manner that infringes VCC’s or another person’s intellectual-property or other legal rights; or
• use the website for unlawful, fraudulent, abusive, or harmful purposes.

VCC may restrict or terminate access to the website where reasonably necessary to protect VCC, its website, clients, clinicians, systems, intellectual property, or other users.

4. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROHIBITED COPYING

Unless otherwise indicated, all original content available on this website, including text, articles, service descriptions, educational materials, graphics, photographs, videos, logos, branding, design elements, questionnaires, tools, downloadable resources, and other original materials, is owned by or licensed to VCC and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual-property laws.

You may view and use website content for your own personal, non-commercial informational purposes.

You may not copy, reproduce, republish, modify, adapt, distribute, sell, license, commercially exploit, scrape, systematically extract, or create derivative works from VCC’s website content without VCC’s prior written permission, except where permitted by applicable law.

VCC’s website content may not be copied or substantially reproduced for use on another counselling, psychology, healthcare, business, directory, commercial website, social-media account, publication, or other platform without prior written permission, except where permitted by applicable law.

VCC’s name, logos, branding, and other identifying marks may not be used without authorization in a manner that suggests affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement from VCC.

Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of VCC’s intellectual property or grants any licence other than the limited right to access and use the website as expressly described in these Terms.

VCC reserves all rights and remedies available under applicable law in relation to unauthorized use or infringement of its intellectual property.

5. WEBSITE INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY

VCC makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate and current information through its website. However, website information may occasionally contain errors, omissions, or outdated information.

Information concerning clinicians, services, fees, locations, availability, insurance coverage, direct billing, programs, or other services may change.

VCC does not guarantee that the website will always be available, uninterrupted, error-free, or free from technical problems.

Where information on the website differs from information provided directly to a client through an applicable service agreement, informed-consent process, or other formal VCC documentation, the applicable formal documentation will govern to the extent permitted by law.

6. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND SERVICES

The website may contain links to websites, platforms, resources, or services operated by third parties.

VCC provides such links for convenience or informational purposes and does not control third-party websites or their privacy, security, availability, content, or practices.

The inclusion of a third-party link does not necessarily constitute VCC’s endorsement of that third party, its services, or its content.

Use of third-party websites and services is subject to the terms and policies established by those third parties.

7. PRIVACY

VCC respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information.

The collection, use, disclosure, protection, and other handling of personal information in connection with this website and VCC’s operations are described in VCC’s Privacy Policy.

Information submitted through website forms may be subject to the privacy and security considerations described in that policy.

8. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the extent permitted by applicable law, VCC is not responsible for losses or damages arising solely from reliance on general informational content provided through this website, temporary website unavailability, technical errors, or use of third-party websites or services linked from this website.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to exclude, restrict, or limit any liability, right, or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted, or limited.

Nothing in these Terms limits the professional obligations of a regulated VCC clinician or any rights a client may have under applicable privacy, consumer-protection, professional, or other legislation.

9. NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOMES

Information concerning counselling, psychology, assessments, treatment approaches, or other services on this website is provided for general informational purposes.

Individual circumstances and outcomes vary. VCC does not guarantee any particular clinical, therapeutic, assessment, health, or other outcome from the use of its services.

Professional services are provided in accordance with the applicable clinician’s scope of practice, professional obligations, informed-consent process, and the individual circumstances of the client.

10. CHANGES TO THE WEBSITE AND THESE TERMS

VCC may update, modify, suspend, or discontinue website content or functionality from time to time.

VCC may revise these Terms to reflect changes to the website, VCC’s operations, applicable law, or other circumstances.

The current version of these Terms will be posted on this website and will identify the date on which it was last updated.

11. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the extent reasonably necessary and permitted by law, and the remaining provisions will continue in effect.

12. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms and use of this website are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta and the applicable federal laws of Canada, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Subject to any applicable laws, rights, or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, disputes relating specifically to these Terms or use of this website will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Alberta.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit any rights or protections that may apply to an individual under the laws of their province or territory of residence or the jurisdiction in which VCC services are provided.

13. CONTACT US

Questions about these Website Terms of Use may be directed to:

Virtuous Circle Counselling
4838 Richard Rd SW, Suite 300
Calgary, Alberta T3E 6L1
Telephone: 403-797-0660
Email: [email protected]

For questions concerning the collection, use, disclosure, or protection of personal information, please refer to VCC’s Privacy Policy or contact VCC’s Privacy Officer.