About This Practice

The Vagus Effect is a counselling practice operated by Amber Shanahan and based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Counselling services are provided online to individuals across Canada, in accordance with applicable provincial and federal regulations.

This website provides general information about counselling services, professional background, and ways to get in touch. It does not provide counselling, therapy, diagnosis, or crisis support.

Professional Scope & Nature of Services

Counselling services offered through The Vagus Effect are provided within the scope of practice of a Canadian Professional Counsellor (in training) and are grounded in trauma-informed, relational approaches. Counselling is not a substitute for medical care, psychiatric treatment, or emergency services.

Information shared on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as counselling, diagnosis, treatment, or personalized mental health advice outside of a formal counselling relationship.

Engaging with website content, contact forms, or email communication does not establish a counsellor–client relationship.

Confidentiality & Privacy in Counselling

Protecting your privacy and confidentiality is a core ethical responsibility.

Personal information shared within a counselling relationship is treated as confidential and handled in accordance with:

Canadian privacy legislation (PIPEDA)
Applicable British Columbia privacy laws
Ethical standards of the Canadian Professional Counsellors Association (CPCA)

Limits to Confidentiality

Limits to confidentiality may include:

Risk of serious harm to yourself or others
Suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable person
Legal requirements such as court orders or subpoenas

These limits are reviewed in detail through the informed consent process prior to the start of counselling services.

Website Information Collection

Information may be collected when you submit a contact form, request a discovery call, or communicate via email.

This information may include your name, email address, and general details related to your inquiry.

Contact forms and email are not appropriate for sharing sensitive personal, medical, or clinical information.

Use of Information

Information collected through this website is used solely to respond to inquiries, provide information about services, and arrange discovery calls or initial contact.

Your personal information is not sold, rented, or shared for marketing or advertising purposes.

Third-Party Services

This website may use third-party platforms to support its operation, such as website hosting (e.g., Squarespace), email communication services, and scheduling tools.

These providers may collect limited technical information necessary to deliver their services and are subject to their own privacy policies.

Cookies & Website Analytics

This website may use cookies or basic analytics tools to understand general website usage, such as page visits or traffic patterns. This information is aggregated and does not personally identify individual users.

You may disable cookies through your browser settings if you prefer.

Data Security & Electronic Communication

Reasonable measures are taken to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no method of electronic communication or data storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Clients are encouraged to consider the risks associated with electronic communication, including email and online platforms. These risks are discussed further as part of the informed consent process.

Your Rights

You have the right to request access to personal information held about you, request correction of inaccurate information, and withdraw consent for non-essential communication.

Requests may be made by contacting the email address listed below.

Crisis & Emergency Support

This website and counselling services are not intended for crises.

If you are in immediate danger or require urgent support, please contact:

Emergency Services (911)
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566
Text: 45645 (evenings)

Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy & Professional Disclosure may be updated periodically to reflect changes in practice, ethical standards, or legal requirements. The most current version will always be posted on this website.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or professional disclosures, you may contact:

Amber Shanahan
Email: amber@vaguseffect.com
Website: thevaguseffect.com