Compliance by design
Bridging the gap between clinical ethics and digital infrastructure.
The digital landscape for mental health professionals in Ontario is unique. While generalist agencies prioritize aggressive marketing and conversion, TheraSite functions as a risk management partner. We help your online presence meet the ethical frameworks of the CRPO, OCSWSSW and PHIPA.
Navigating advertising standards
Marketing for regulated health professionals has to pass a compliance check against strict ethical codes.
The ban on testimonials
CRPO Standard 6.2 says that registrants “do not request or solicit testimonials or use them in their advertising”. This rule exists to protect the therapeutic relationship from power imbalances.
Our approach:
Managing third-party reviews
While you cannot prevent a client from leaving a Google review, you are strictly forbidden from “republishing” it. Replying to a review can breach confidentiality.
Our approach:
Data security and encryption
Under PHIPA, the therapist is the “Health Information Custodian” (HIC) and is legally responsible for the security of client data.
Privacy-forward by design
Your website collects as little as it can: no health details, only what a visitor needs to reach you.
All contact form data is transmitted over HTTPS encryptionand processed through Cloudflare's secure infrastructure. Messages aren't kept on our servers. Full PHIPA compliance depends on how you use your website and the additional safeguards you implement in your practice.
Secure intake forms
Forms that never ask for health details
Site builders like Wix and WordPress come with generic forms that aren't checked against PHIPA or CRPO expectations. We replace them with our own, which never ask for health details:
A booking link
Each therapist's booking button takes visitors to their own page in the booking system you already use, such as Jane or Owl Practice, so bookings and client details stay there.
A contact form without health details
It asks for contact details and a short message, never health details. Messages reach you by email and aren't kept on our servers.
Clinical design and crisis aversion
Trauma-informed, calm design
High-friction design or aggressive colours can trigger a stress response.
Our approach:
We follow calm design principles, with settling palettes of soft greens and earth tones.
Mobile safety and the thumb zone
Therapy searches often happen in private moments, in a parked car or late at night.
Our approach:
AODA accessibility
Visual contrast
We ensure text has sufficient contrast against the background for users with low vision.
Keyboard navigation
Our sites are navigable without a mouse, essential for users with motor control issues.
Screen reader compatibility
We write descriptive alt text for all images to ensure a respectful experience for visually impaired visitors.