Informed Consent

 

The provision of psychology services through the use of technologies mediating the interaction between professional and client, for counseling or therapy, is a scientifically validated practice.

This practice observes and binds professionals to the Code of Ethics of the Portuguese Psychologists Association, as well as to all applicable legislation, namely regarding the protection of individuals with respect to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.

It is in compliance with these requirements that MindFirst provides the following information relating to the interaction to be established within the scope of therapeutic practice and collects explicit and informed consent from clients for the development of the technical and commercial relationship underlying it.

 1 - The data collected by MindFirst, within the scope of the activity developed, is intended for: 1) Informing professionals, with a view to preparing the sessions to be held; 2) carrying out accounting and billing operations inherent to the services provided; 3) proceeding with the dissemination of campaigns, promotions and organization of training events; 4) proceeding with the documentation of the clinical process.

2 – The MindFirst platform, within the scope of the activity developed, stores data necessary for the preparation of sessions, giving them greater effectiveness, data necessary for the performance of accounting and billing operations inherent to the services provided, and other data necessary for the dissemination of campaigns, promotions and organization of training events.

3 - The data collected by the MindFirst platform will be retained for a maximum period of twenty-four months after the last use, except for those that, by legal requirement, must be retained for a longer period.

4 - For the conduct of counseling or therapy sessions, the client authorizes the professional to make, if considered strictly necessary, audio or video recordings for the purpose of subsequent transcription of information, with the professional being responsible for the destruction of such content within 24 hours after obtaining it.

5 - No audio or video recording is authorized on the part of the client during the sessions.

6 – Data subjects may request at any time information about personal data about themselves, existing on the MindFirst platform.

7 – Data subjects may request at any time the deletion and, or destruction of personal data existing on the platform, except for those that by legal reasons must be maintained (e.g. data for tax purposes) and without prejudice to any contrary provision applicable in specific legislation.

8 - The use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in psychological intervention may also present a set of challenges and limitations, namely technological problems resulting from slow connections; issues relating to the security, privacy and confidentiality arising from the use of ICT, including mechanisms for recording and tracking communications or unauthorized access by third parties to the content of interventions. It is important that the client ensures the security of their equipment, by installing programs that detect threats and does not use public computers to conduct sessions.

9 – In the event of a violation of data security, the respective data subjects and their legal representative will be informed of the incident.

10 – The security risks that may occur during or after the use of communication technologies are common to all platforms with an internet presence, namely data theft, data hijacking or contamination of equipment by the client's use of outdated software.

11 – MindFirst excludes itself from any liability arising from the identified risks or others that cannot be directly and exclusively attributed to it.

12 – MindFirst is a platform for technological mediation between clients and professionals. In the development of its activity MindFirst uses the Twilio platform which complies with the ISO 27001 standard. The ISO 27001 standard is the international standard and reference for Information Security management.

13 - The servers used for communications use encrypted data transaction systems, and the security standards and guarantees can be consulted at https://www.twilio.com/security.

14 – The price for services is as shown on the MindFirst Platform at the time the client proceeds with payment. After payment, the corresponding payment receipt is sent through the email address provided by them.

15 – The communication established between the client and the professional may be synchronous or asynchronous. Regardless of this type, communication takes place through the MindFirst platform, through one of the following modalities: Video, Audio or Chat.

16 – By agreement between the professional and the client, different communication modalities may be used in combination.

By subscribing to this consent, the client declares themselves properly informed about all matters relevant to the provision of services to be contracted and for the preservation of their rights, freedoms and guarantees.