---
title: Is therapy confidential?
description: Learn how Shift Collab protects your privacy, what confidentiality means under Ontario College regulations, and when exceptions may apply.
image: https://www.shiftcollab.com/images/shift-collab-social-share.png
---
[Skip to content](https://support.shiftcollab.com/are-your-services-confidential#main-content)
English
Show submenu for translations
[](https://www.shiftcollab.com)
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- English
Show submenu for translations
- Go to shiftcollab.com
Go to shiftcollab.com
Hello. How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Support Centre | Shift Collab](https://support.shiftcollab.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Policies and Fees](https://support.shiftcollab.com/policies-and-fees?hsLang=en)
November 3, 2026
# Is therapy confidential?
## Yes. Everything you share in therapy stays between you and your clinician unless you give written permission for us to share it.
We know you need to feel safe speaking openly. This article explains how we keep your information private, what the law says about confidentiality, and the rare situations where we might need to break it.
### How confidentiality works
All Shift Collab clinicians are Registered Social Workers or Registered Psychotherapists, governed by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) Code of Ethics. This means nothing you share will be communicated to anyone — directly or indirectly — without your informed, written consent. You may withdraw your consent at any time.
You are always free to share your own therapy details with anyone you choose. Your clinician will not share your therapy information with others.
### Exceptions to confidentiality
Confidentiality is not absolute. There are legal exceptions, and your clinician will explain these during your Meet & Greet, and they are also outlined in your intake and consent documents. In general, confidentiality may be limited if:
- If there is a risk of harm to you or someone else
- If there is suspected abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult
- If records are subpoenaed by a court
In most situations, your clinician will notify you before any confidentiality exception is acted upon, unless doing so would put someone at risk.
Questions? Email the Care Team at [hello@shiftcollab.com](mailto:hello@shiftcollab.com) or call [1-800-661-8681](tel:+18006618681) Mon–Fri, 8am to 8pm ET, and Sat–Sun, 9am to 5pm ET. *(Please verify these hours are current, as they may be subject to change.)*
- [Starting Therapy](https://support.shiftcollab.com/starting-therapy?hsLang=en)
- [Policies and Fees](https://support.shiftcollab.com/policies-and-fees?hsLang=en)
- [About Shift](https://support.shiftcollab.com/about-shift?hsLang=en)
- [Sessions & Care](https://support.shiftcollab.com/sessions-care?hsLang=en)
- [Clinical Tools](https://support.shiftcollab.com/clinical-tools?hsLang=en)
[](http://shiftcollab.com)
Looking for a hand? We're here to help. Just email us at [hello@shiftcollab.com](mailto:hello@shiftcollab.com).
Copyright © 2026 Shift Collab.
```json
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@graph": [
{
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Is therapy confidential?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Learn how Shift Collab protects your privacy, what confidentiality means under Ontario College regulations, and when exceptions may apply."
}
}]
},
{
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Support Centre", "item": "https://support.shiftcollab.com" },
{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Is therapy confidential?", "item": "https://support.shiftcollab.com/are-your-services-confidential" }
]
},
{
"@type": "WebPage",
"@id": "https://support.shiftcollab.com/are-your-services-confidential",
"url": "https://support.shiftcollab.com/are-your-services-confidential",
"name": "Is therapy confidential?",
"isPartOf": { "@id": "https://support.shiftcollab.com/#website" },
"datePublished": "1970-01-01 00:00:00",
"dateModified": "1793673128509"
}
]
}
```