Consent for Registration
Service Information
You are registering for a group service designed to connect parents and build a sense of community. The focus is on information and mutual support in a shared peer environment. The facilitator's role is to guide discussions, ensure a safe environment, and provide information, in accordance with standards of their regulatory college where applicable.
Risks and Benefits
Potential benefits of participation may include, but are not limited to: feeling more connected, learning new coping strategies, gaining insight into challenges, and receiving support from peers.
While the goal is to provide a safe environment, there are potential risks to group work. These may include:
- Experiencing uncomfortable feelings (e.g., sadness, anger, anxiety) as a result of discussions.
- Hearing about the difficult experiences of others.
- Disagreements or conflict with other group members.
- The risk of a breach of confidentiality by another group member (see Section 3).
Participation in this group is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw your consent and leave the group at any time. We ask that you please inform the facilitator if you decide to withdraw once the group has started.
Confidentiality
As a regulated health professional, you facilitator must protect the confidentiality of your personal health information. For this group to be a safe space, all members must agree to maintain the confidentiality of all other members.
By signing this form, you agree to keep the identity of other group members and the personal information they share within the group strictly confidential. You agree not to discuss any information shared by group members with anyone outside of the group, including family, friends, or on social media.
There are specific, limited situations where the law requires a facilitator to break confidentiality, with or without your consent. These include:
- Reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is in need of protection due to abuse or neglect.
- Disclosure of information that indicates a clear and imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else.
- Report of sexual abuse by a regulated health professional.
- For the purpose of an investigation or quality assurance review by a regulatory body (e.g., CRPO).
Please be aware that while your facilitator is legally bound to confidentiality, group members are not. Your facilitator cannot guarantee that other members will protect your privacy. While we create a strong agreement and culture of trust, you must be mindful of what you choose to share, knowing that absolute confidentiality from other members cannot be assured.
Group Participation and Expectations
To create a safe and effective environment, all members agree to the following:
- Treat all members with respect, even when you disagree. Listen actively and avoid judgment.
- Speak from your own experience using "I" statements (e.g., "I feel..." instead of "You made me feel...").
- Share what is comfortable for you. You have the right to "pass" or choose not to speak on any topic.
- Do not give unsolicited advice. Share your own experiences when they are relevant.
- Please arrive on time.
Virtual Group Participation
Please participate from a private, secure space where others cannot see or hear the session to protect the privacy of all members. Recording of sessions is strictly prohibited. Your facilitator will choose a virtual platform that maximizes privacy and confidentiality, ease of joining and navigating group dynamics, and convenience.
Record Keeping
A brief record of your attendance and the topics discussed in the group will be maintained with Julia Ryan Psychology. In a group setting, notes are generalized to protect the privacy of all members.