Terms of service

Terms of Service – Birch Grove Wellness

 

Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) constitute a legal agreement between you and Birch Grove Wellness (“we,” “us,” or “our”), a sole proprietorship operating in Ontario, Canada.

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, govern your access to and use of our website (the “Website”), including any content, services, digital products, workshops, webinars, and resources offered through it.

BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND OUR PRIVACY POLICY.
If you do not agree, you must not use this Website.

Eligibility

By using this Website, you confirm that you are:

  • At least 18 years of age; or
  • Between 13 and 18 years of age and using the Website with the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian

Children under 13 may not use this Website.

Nature of Services & No Therapeutic Relationship

Birch Grove Wellness provides:

  • Virtual psychotherapy services (Ontario only)
  • Wellness coaching services (North America)
  • Workshops and webinars
  • Educational content (blog, resources)
  • Digital products

Use of this Website does NOT establish a therapist-client relationship.
A therapeutic relationship is only established after:

  • Completion of intake and consent
  • Mutual agreement to begin services

Wellness coaching services are not psychotherapy and do not involve diagnosis, treatment of mental health conditions, or regulated health care services.

1.      Nature of Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaching is a collaborative, goal-oriented process focused on enhancing overall well-being, lifestyle habits, and personal growth.

Services may include:

  • Nervous system regulation education
  • Stress management strategies
  • Habit and behavior change support
  • Mindfulness and somatic awareness practices
  • Psychoeducation related to mental wellness
  • Goal setting and accountability

2.      Important Distinction from Psychotherapy

Wellness coaching is not psychotherapy.

As defined by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), psychotherapy involves:

  • The assessment and treatment of cognitive, emotional, or behavioural disturbances
  • Addressing serious disorders of thought, mood, perception, orientation, or memory
  • Establishing a therapeutic relationship for clinical treatment purposes

Wellness coaching does NOT:

  • Diagnose mental health conditions
  • Treat mental health disorders
  • Provide clinical assessment or intervention
  • Replace psychotherapy, psychiatry, or medical care

If clinical needs arise, appropriate referrals will be recommended.

3. Scope of Practice & Limitations for Wellness Coaching

Within Scope

  • Supporting clients in achieving personal wellness goals
  • Providing evidence-informed strategies for stress and lifestyle management
  • Facilitating self-awareness and insight-building conversations

Outside Scope

  • Trauma processing or deep therapeutic interventions
  • Crisis intervention or emergency mental health care
  • Treatment of diagnosed mental health conditions
  • Risk assessment (e.g., suicide, self-harm, abuse situations)

If concerns arise that fall outside the coaching scope, services may be paused and referral options provided.

4. Client Responsibility in Wellness Coaching

Clients agree to:

  • Take an active role in their wellness process
  • Communicate openly and honestly
  • Implement agreed-upon strategies outside of sessions
  • Seek appropriate medical or mental health care when needed

Coaching outcomes depend on client engagement; results are not guaranteed.

5. Informed Consent in Wellness Coaching

By participating in coaching services, you acknowledge that:

  • You understand the difference between coaching and psychotherapy
  • You are voluntarily engaging in a non-clinical service
  • You are responsible for your own mental and physical health decisions

6. Termination of Services in Wellness Coaching

Coaching services may be terminated if:

  • The client’s needs exceed the scope of coaching
  • Boundaries or terms are violated
  • Continued services are no longer beneficial

Clients may also choose to end services at any time.

Where appropriate, referrals will be provided.

7. Liability Disclaimer in Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaching is intended for educational and personal development purposes only.

By engaging in services, you agree that:

  • You are responsible for your own decisions, actions, and results
  • The coach is not liable for outcomes resulting from coaching services
  • Coaching does not replace medical, psychological, or psychiatric care

8. Emergency & Crisis Disclaimer in Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaching is not appropriate for crisis situations.

If you experience:

  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Risk of harm to yourself or others
  • Severe emotional distress

Please seek immediate support through emergency services or a licensed mental health professional.

 

Crisis & Emergency Disclaimer

This Website is not intended for crisis support.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please:

  • Call 911
  • Visit your nearest emergency room
  • Contact a local crisis line

You should not rely on this Website or our communications for urgent or emergency support.

 

Modifications to Terms and Website

We may update these Terms at any time. Updates take effect immediately upon posting.

We may also:

  • Modify or remove Website features
  • Interrupt services for maintenance or updates
  • Discontinue services or offerings

We are not liable for interruptions due to events beyond our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, public health emergencies, or technical failures.

 

Third-Party Services

We use third-party platforms, including Jane App, for scheduling and service delivery.

By using these services, you may also be subject to their terms and policies. We are not responsible for third-party platforms’ practices, content, or availability.

 

Account Security

If you create or use an account:

  • You are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of login credentials
  • You agree not to share access with others
  • You must notify us of any unauthorized use

We take reasonable steps to protect your information, but you are also responsible for safeguarding your access.

 

Prohibited Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the Website for unlawful purposes
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems or data
  • Disrupt or interfere with Website functionality
  • Introduce malicious software (e.g., viruses, malware)
  • Copy, scrape, or exploit Website content without permission
  • Harass, abuse, or impersonate others

 

Intellectual Property

All Website content, including:

  • Text, graphics, branding, and materials
  • Blog posts and educational resources
  • Digital products, workshops, and course materials

…are the property of Birch Grove Wellness and are protected under applicable intellectual property laws.

You may use content for personal, non-commercial use only.

You may not:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or modify materials
  • Share or resell digital products
  • Use content for commercial purposes without written permission

 

Accuracy of Information

You agree that any information you provide (e.g., during booking or inquiries) is accurate and complete.

You are solely responsible for the accuracy of your information. We are not liable for any consequences arising from inaccurate or incomplete information.

 

Privacy and Personal Information

By using this Website, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Information collected may include:

  • Name and contact details
  • Health-related information (for services only)
  • Booking and communication details

We only use your information for intended purposes and with your consent.

 

Geographic Scope

  • Psychotherapy services are available only to individuals located in Ontario, Canada
  • Wellness coaching services are available across North America

If you access this Website from outside these regions, you do so at your own risk and are responsible for compliance with local laws.

 

Disclaimer of Warranties

Your use of this Website is at your own risk.

The Website and all content are provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, including:

  • Accuracy or completeness
  • Reliability or availability
  • Fitness for a particular purpose

We do not guarantee that the Website will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

 

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Birch Grove Wellness shall not be liable for any damages, including:

  • Direct or indirect loss
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of data, income, or business
  • Reliance on Website content

This applies to your use—or inability to use—the Website, services, or content.

Your sole remedy is to discontinue use of the Website.

 

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Birch Grove Wellness from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from:

  • Your use of the Website
  • Your violation of these Terms
  • Your misuse of content or services

 

Governing Law and Arbitration

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and applicable federal laws of Canada.

Any disputes shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Ontario, in accordance with the Arbitration Act, 1991 (Ontario).

  • A single arbitrator will be appointed
  • The decision will be final and binding
  • Appeals are limited to matters of law

 

Waiver

Failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision or any other rights.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force.

Entire Agreement

These Terms and our Privacy Policy constitute the full agreement between you and Birch Grove Wellness regarding Website use and services.

Contact

Birch Grove Wellness
Ontario, Canada

For questions, support, or concerns, please contact: info@birchgrovewellness.ca