Terms of service

Last updated: November 03, 2022

First Session Health Inc. (referred to herein as “First Session”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of Canada, and provides services (the “Services”) connecting social workers, psychotherapists, psychologists (each, a “Mental Healthcare Professional”), with members of the public (each a “User”) through our website located at www.firstsession.com, applications, or other online resources provided by First Session (collectively, the “Website”). The Website contains profiles for Mental Healthcare Professionals which including videos and other information. Users can view these videos, and schedule initial consultations through the Website.

The terms and conditions stated herein (collectively, the “Terms”), together with our Privacy Policy, located at www.firstsession.com/privacy and incorporated herein by reference, constitute a legal and binding agreement (the “Agreement”) between each User or Mental Healthcare Professional (“you” or “your”) and First Session. A copy of these Terms of Service may be downloaded, saved and printed for your reference.

By accessing or using our Website, you  agree to comply with and be legally bound by these Terms, and any amendments thereon as published on the Website, whether or not you use the Services. These Terms govern your access to and use of the Website and Services. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must stop using the Website and Services.

Eligibility to use the website and the services

You must be at least 18 years of age to use the Services without supervision. If you are between the ages of 16 and 18, you can use the Services only in conjunction with, and under the supervision of, your parent or guardian who has agreed to these Terms. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18, you may use the Services on behalf of such minor child. By using the Services on behalf of a minor child, you represent and warrant that you are the parent or legal guardian of such child. If you do not qualify under these Terms, you must not use the Services. Any use of the Services is void where prohibited by law, and the right to access the Services is revoked in such jurisdictions.

By using the Services, you are agreeing and stating that you have the right, authority, and capacity to enter into these Terms and to abide by all of the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Services are only available to Mental Healthcare Professionals or Users residing in Canada.

Crises and emergencies

IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MEDICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY OR PLANNING OR CONSIDERING SUICIDE OR FEEL THAT YOU ARE A DANGER TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CALL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

Do not use First Session’s Website or Services during crises. When in crisis, you should contact the following services or seek the services and advice of the Canadian Mental Health Association or other crisis agencies:

  • Canadian Crisis Centres
  • Find your local CMHA
  • Toronto Distress Centre: 416-408-HELP (4357)
  • Toronto Gerstein Centre: (416) 929-5200
  • Crisis Services Canada: 1 (833) 456-4566 (24/7)or text 45645 (4 pm to 12 am ET)
  • Kids Help Phone: 1 800 668-6868 (24/7) or text CONNECT to 686868; Languages: English and French
  • Hope for Wellness Help Line (available to all Indigenous peoples): 1 (855) 242-3310
  • Trans Lifeline Canada: 1 (877) 330-6366

Right to modify

First Session reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify these Terms, the Privacy Policy, the Website, or any Services at any time and without prior notice. If we modify these Terms, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of these Terms. You are responsible for regularly reviewing these Terms. By continuing to access or use the Website or Services after we have posted a modification on the Website or have provided you with notice of a modification, you are indicating that you agree to be bound by the modified Terms. If the modified Terms are not acceptable to you, your only recourse is to cease using the Website and Services.

Disclaimer of liability

THE SERVICES ARE OFFERED FOR INFORMATIONAL AND SCHEDULING PURPOSES ONLY, AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE MEDICAL ADVICE OR MEDICAL CARE, OR A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT.

FIRST SESSION DOES NOT OFFER OR GIVE THERAPY OR MEDICAL ADVICE, OR PROVIDE THERAPY, MEDICAL OR DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES.  ANY THERAPY SERVICES OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH OUR WEBSITE WILL BE MADE AT SUCH USER’S OWN RISK.

MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH YOU AND FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, INJURIES, ILLNESSES, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES AND COSTS (“CLAIMS”) SUFFERED BY YOU AS A RESULT OF YOUR INTERACTION WITH OR VISIT TO ANY SUCH MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL. YOU AGREE NOT TO IMPOSE OR ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE LIABILITY ON OR SEEK ANY LEGAL REMEDY FROM FIRST SESSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL SUCH CLAIMS.

NO LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL/PATIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED BY USING INFORMATION PROVIDED BY OR THROUGH THE USE OF THE SERVICES.

FIRST SESSION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT POSTED TO THE WEBSITE BY A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR A USER, OR ANY INFORMATION OR CONTENT COMMUNICATED BETWEEN A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL AND A USER USING THE WEBSITE.

ANY AND ALL HEALTH CARE OR THERAPY RELATED SERVICES OBTAINED BY A USER THROUGH THE WEBSITE SHALL BE OBTAINED AT THE USER’S OWN RISK.

YOU EXPLICITLY AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

  • MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, INCLUDING ANY INFORMATION, ADVICE OR CARE THEY PROVIDE, ARE INDEPENDENT FROM FIRST SESSION;
  • FIRST SESSION HAS NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER HOWEVER ARISING UNDER ANY THEORY OF LAW FOR ANY INFORMATION, SERVICE, ADVICE,CARE, RESULT OR LACK OF RESULT FROM SUCH ADVICE OR CARE OBTAINED FROM ANY MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL THAT USERS CONNECTED THROUGH FIRST SESSION; AND
  • FIRST SESSION DOES NOT COVER OR PROVIDE ANYINSURANCE FOR THE PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

You agree and acknowledge that the Services do not replace an in-person session with a licensed qualified professional. You should never rely on or make health or well-being decisions solely on use of this Website. You should never disregard, avoid, or delay in obtaining medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional because of information or advice you received through the Website. Users should exercise a high level of care and caution in the use of the Website.

First Session does not guarantee the authenticity or accuracy of any information provided on the Website, including information regarding the qualifications of Mental Healthcare Providers, including their degrees, licenses, certifications, credentials, or background, although it makes every effort to do so. We do not recommend or endorse any Mental Healthcare Professional, nor do we make any representation or warranty with respect to the quality of the services they may provide.

We have no control over and cannot guarantee the availability of any Mental Healthcare Professional at any particular time or guarantee a particular Mental Healthcare Professional’s office hours. We will not be liable for cancelled or otherwise unfulfilled appointments or any injury resulting therefrom, or for any other injury resulting from the use of the Services whatsoever. We are not responsible for the functionality of a Mental Healthcare Professional’s website, or a Mental Healthcare Professional’s availability to respond to any form of communication, including, without limitation, email messages and phone messages.

Users should investigate Mental Healthcare Professionals thoroughly before contacting them, by reviewing public listing register for the applicable licensing authorities to verify listed credentials, education, and insurance coverage, and to further verify information about a particular Mental Healthcare Professional. Users hereby acknowledge and agree that the ultimate decision to engage the services of a Mental Healthcare Professional remains solely with the User despite the User’s use of the Services, and each User hereby agrees to assume any risk inherent in utilizing the Services and/or deciding to actually engage, and use the services of, any Mental Healthcare Professional listed in our Website.

Registration and Security of your Account

Users and Mental Healthcare Professionals are required to complete an online registration form or enter information into data fields to access certain portions of the Website. In exchange for First Session granting you access to these portions of the Website, you agree to provide true, current, complete, and accurate information when we require such information. You also agree to update this information as soon as possible if such information changes.

You are solely responsible for ensuring the security and confidentiality of any password(s). You may create your own password(s) or password(s) may be provided to you. You shall not share your password(s) with anyone at any time. You will prevent unauthorized access to or use of the Services and notify us promptly of any such unauthorized use. You may notify us at: info@firstsession.com. In addition, in order to provide and maintain a secure service, you must not disclose any security vulnerability to any person except to us. As soon as possible upon discovering any issue or problem that may pose a risk to the security or use of the Services, you must notify us at: info@firstsession.com.

Consent for Electronic Communications

You hereby consent to the exchange of information and documents between you, First Session, your online Mental Healthcare Professional over the internet or by email and this Agreement in electronic form shall be the equivalent of an original written paper agreement between us. You further agree that all agreements, notices, prescriptions, disclosures and other communications that we or your online Mental Healthcare Professional provide to you electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

Linking

We may offer links on our website to third party sites, including social networking websites and government resources, which are owned and operated by third parties. We provide these links as a convenience to our visitors. We do not review the content of such sites, and neither endorse, nor are responsible for, any content, advertising, products, services or other materials on or available from such third party sites. You assume full responsibility for your use of third party sites. Such sites are governed by terms and conditions different from those applicable to this website, and we encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of those third parties before using their sites.

Website access and profiles

Users and Mental Healthcare Professionals may voluntarily submit information about such User or Mental Healthcare Professional, as provided through forms, messages or profiles, including, without limitation, certain information that personally identifies the individual, as further described in the Privacy Policy (“Personal Information”).

If you are a User, you may engage with the Website without providing Personal Information. However, if you would like to send a message to, or book a consultation with, a Mental Healthcare Professional on the Website, you may be asked for Personal Information such as your first and last name, email address, phone number, and other information of your choice, which information shall be disclosed only to First Session and the Mental Healthcare Professional who you choose to contact. By booking a consultation or sending a message through First Session’s forms or features, you understand that your message may be sent by email, which is not a secure means of communication.

If you are a Mental Healthcare Professional, you agree to work with First Session to create an online profile (each a “Profile”). Mental Healthcare Professionals will provide First Session with information such as his or her name, educational background, and professional statement, and a First Session representative will create a Profile on the Website and update information on the Profile as requested. Profiles will be made publicly available via the Website.

Mental healthcare professional eligibility requirements

By using the Website for the purposes of providing Services, you represent and warrant that:

  • All registration information you submit (including but not limited to your licence information) is accurate and truthful and you will maintain the accuracy of such information;
  • You are, and will be at any time that you use the Services, permitted to provide health care services, a member and in good standing with the regulatory college or board of your jurisdiction, and shall meet all other legal requirements to provide health care services to Users in the locations where you provide such services;
  • There are no pending investigations, actions or other proceedings, in any jurisdiction, against you, or against any health profession corporation of which you are a shareholder, in which claims are made that you have made errors or omissions or that otherwise relate to, or arise from the performance of, your duties as a regulated professional;
  • No judgments have been rendered against you, in any court of competent jurisdiction or arbitral tribunal in any jurisdiction in any proceeding related to, or arising from, the performance of your duties as a regulated professional;
  • There are no pending or actual referrals, inquiries, complaints or investigations against you, before your regulatory college or any other medical governing body;
  • No committee or body of any medical governing body having similar authority nor any court has ever made a finding of professional misconduct or incompetence against you, nor revoked or suspended your certificate of registration or licence to provide health care services or the certificate of authorization of any health profession corporation of which you are shareholder; and
  • You have no criminal record for which a pardon or expungement order has not been granted and you are not under any criminal investigation, proceeding or charge in any jurisdiction.

Your profile may be removed and your participation may be terminated without warning if First Session believes that you are in breach of any of the foregoing representations and warranties. You agree to immediately inform First Session in writing of any change in any of the representations and warranties set forth above, and to immediately stop using the Website and Services until you are re-authorized by First Session in writing to resume use of the Website and Services.

Content standards

These content standards apply to all information and content publicly posted or uploaded by a User or Health Care Professional to the Website (collectively, “Content”), including personal information, feedback, and reviews. All such content must fully comply with all applicable federal, provincial, municipal and international laws and regulations. Additionally, without limiting the foregoing, such content must not:  

  • Contain any material which is defamatory, obscene, indecent, abusive, offensive, harassing, violent, hateful, inflammatory or otherwise objectionable;
  • Promote sexually explicit or pornographic material, violence, or discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age;
  • Infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other intellectual property or other rights of any other person;
  • Violate the legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy) of others or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or regulations or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms or the Privacy Policy.
  • Be likely to deceive any person;
  • Promote any illegal activity, or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act;
  • Cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety or be likely to upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person;
  • Impersonate any person, or misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or organization;
  • Involve commercial activities or sales, such as contests, sweepstakes and other sales promotions, barter or advertising; or
  • Give the impression that they emanate from or are endorsed by us or any other person or entity, if this is not the case.

Use and Ownership of Videos

For certainty, all videos of Health Care Professionals provided on the Website or posted on the First Session youtube.com channel are the sole and exclusive property of First Session and may not be used by Health Care Professional or Users without the express written permission of First Session.

Licenses granted

When you submit or upload Content to the Website, you grant First Session an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, royalty-free licence, with the right to use, view, copy, adapt, modify, distribute, licence, transfer, or otherwise access such Content. First Session represents and warrants that all collection, use, and disclosure of Content under such licence will be effected in accordance with the Privacy Policy and Canadian privacy legislation.

If you comply with these Terms, First Session grants you a personal, revocable, limited, non-exclusive, and non-transferable Licence to (i) access the Website and Services for your personal and non-commercial use; and (ii) to access User or Mental Healthcare Professional Content for your personal and non-commercial use. You have no right to sub-licence any rights granted herein. You agree to not use, copy, adapt, modify, distribute, sell, transfer, or otherwise exploit any content or information contained within the Website or otherwise belonging to First Session. No right, title, or interest in the Website or Services is transferred to you.

If you use or provide another person access to the Website or Services in breach of these terms, your aforementioned licence will be revoked immediately.

Termination

First Session may suspend your ability to use all or any portion of the Website and Services or may terminate these Terms effective immediately, without providing any notice or explanation. Without limiting the foregoing, First Session may suspend your access to the Services if we believe you to be in violation of any part of these Terms. After any suspension or termination, you may or may not be granted permission to access the Website or Services, or to re-establish a Profile. You agree that First Session shall not be liable to you for any termination of your access to the Website or the Services.

You may cancel your Profile at any time by sending an email to info@firstsession.com.  Please note that if your Profile is cancelled, we do not have an obligation to delete or return to you any Content you have submitted through the Website.

Copyright infringement

If you believe that any Content violates your copyright, please notify us with the claim of copyright infringement and we will respond promptly in accordance with the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, and all associated regulations.

Authorization and acknowledgment

You authorize and acknowledge that First Session, in its sole discretion, may:

  • Select Mental Healthcare Professionals to be featured on the Services based on pre-existing contractual agreements with the Mental Healthcare Professionals and that such selection is not an endorsement of such Mental Healthcare Professionals;
  • Charge Mental Healthcare Professionals a fee to be advertised, marketed, and/or featured on the Website; and
  • Use only the information provided to First Session (such as insurance information, proximity to your geographical location, and additional criteria that Users specify) to populate search results for applicable Mental Healthcare Professionals.

By agreeing to these Terms of Service, Users and Mental Healthcare Professionals acknowledge that they have read and fully understand them and acknowledge to be bound by the provisions herein.

Trademarks

First Session’s name, logo and all related names, logos, product and service names, designs and slogans are trademarks of First Session or its affiliates or licensors. You may not use such marks without the prior written permission of First Session. All other names, logos, product and service names, designs and slogans on this Website are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Disclaimer/Limitation of liability

THE LAWS OF SOME JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING QUEBEC, DO NOT ALLOW FOR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LEGAL WARRANTIES, LIABILITY OR CERTAIN DAMAGES OR LIMITATIONS OF REPRESENTATIONS MADE CONCERNING GOODS OR SERVICES. IF SUCH LAWS APPLY TO YOU, SOME OR ALL OF THE BELOW EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

ERRORS AND/OR OMISSIONS MAY OCCUR DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS TO UPDATE AND KEEP ACCURATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE CONTENT CONTAINED ON THE WEBSITE. AS SUCH, THE WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE CONTENT AND SERVICES PROVIDED HEREIN, IS BEING PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS AND WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, FOR ANY ERRORS AND/OR OMISSIONS. FIRST SESSION DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

FIRST SESSION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DELAYS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF ANY COMMUNICATION, SERVICE FAILURES, OR OTHER PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE USE OF THE INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER SYSTEMS OUTSIDE THE REASONABLE CONTROL OF FIRST SESSION.

IN NO EVENT SHALL FIRST SESSION OR FIRST SESSION’S LICENSORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOST PROFITS THAT RESULT FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THE WEBSITE OR ANY CONTENT, OR SERVICES OBTAINED THROUGH THE WEBSITE, EVEN IF FIRST SESSION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE.

FIRST SESSION IS NEITHER AN AGENT OF NOR OTHERWISE ASSOCIATED WITH ANY THERAPIST LISTED IN THE SITE.

IF YOU ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE WEBSITE, THE CONTENT, THE SERVICES OR THE WEBSITE TERMS OF USE, YOUR SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY IS TO STOP USING THE WEBSITE.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless First Session and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees, arising out of or in any way connected with (a) your violation by you of these Terms; (b) your Content, and (c) your engagement and use of any services provided by a Mental Healthcare Professional, including but not limited to, any injuries, losses, or damages (compensatory, direct, incidental, consequential or otherwise) of any kind arising in connection with or as a result of a your engagement and use of any services provided by a Mental Healthcare Professional.

Release

By using the Website and the Services you agree to release, discharge and hold harmless First Session and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and their officers, directors, employees and agents from any and all losses, damages, rights, claims, actions of any kind and injury (including death) arising out of or relating to the Website, the Services or any act or omission by any person, including without limitation, any dispute between you and any other person or regarding any Content posted on the Website.

Designation of First Session as Billing Agent

If you are a Mental Healthcare Professional who has elected to designate First Session as agent for the processing of payments, the fees for your health care or therapy related services and any other applicable fees (the “Fees”) will be collected from Users at the time of booking. First Session will make payments to Mental Healthcare Professionals for their portion of the Fees collected on a bi-monthly basis.

Users hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that all payments collected by First Session are collected as agent for the applicable Mental Healthcare Professional and that First Session shall have no liability whatsoever however arising under any theory of law for any information, service, care, advice, result or lack of result obtained from any such Mental Healthcare Professional.

Governing law and jurisdiction

Unless the applicable laws of your jurisdiction, such as Quebec, require that the laws of your jurisdiction govern, these Terms of Service shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and of the laws of Canada applicable therein. Any dispute is to be submitted to a court of competent jurisdiction in the City of Toronto in the Province of Ontario. If any provision of the present Terms of Service shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then such provision shall be severable from these Terms of Service and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

Entire agreement

These Terms of Service, the Privacy Policy and any and all other legal notices or statements posted on the Website constitute the entire agreement between you and First Session with respect to the use of the Website, including the Content.

Dispute resolution

Any and all disputes, demands, claims, or causes of action (including the interpretation and scope of this clause) between you and First Session or their successors or assigns shall exclusively be settled through binding and confidential arbitration.

Arbitration shall be subject to the Arbitration Act, 1991, SO 1991. The arbitration shall be conducted before one arbitrator with substantial experience in resolving commercial contract disputes and duly certified by the Canadian Arbitration Association. As modified by these Terms, and unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties in writing, the arbitration shall be conducted pursuant to the National Arbitration Rules of the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc., in the English language, in which the decision of the arbitrator(s) shall be conclusively deemed to determine the rights and liabilities between the parties to the arbitration in respect of the matter in dispute. There shall be no appeal from the award of the arbitrator made in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Waiver

The failure by First Session to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not constitute a waiver of future enforcement of that right or provision. The waiver of any right or provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of First Session. Except as expressly set forth in these Terms, the exercise by either party of any of its remedies under these Terms will be without prejudice to its other remedies under these Terms or otherwise.

Force Majeure

First Session will not be deemed to be in breach of the terms of this Agreement or liable for any breach of the terms of the Agreement or our Privacy Policy due to any event or occurrence beyond our reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God, terrorism, invasion, pandemic, failures of any public networks, electrical shortages, earthquakes or floods, civil disorder, strikes, fire or other disaster.

Your comments and concerns

This Website is operated by First Session Health Inc. If you have any questions about these Terms or if you wish to report a problem to us regarding the Website or a Mental Healthcare Professional listed on our Website, please contact us at info@firstsession.com.