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The clinical collective
A Collaborative Model of Care and Responsibility
The CircleUp Clinical Collective is a coordinated system of care uniting licensed psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers who share a common mission: to make high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally grounded mental health care accessible to newcomers and immigrants individuals and families across Ontario.
This model combines clinical independence with community responsibility. Each clinician maintains full professional control over their therapeutic work, while CircleUp Foundation provides the funding systems that make equitable access to care possible.
How the Model Works
All members of the Clinical Collective are fully registered professionals in Ontario (CPO, CRPO, or OCSWSSW). Clinicians are compensated by CircleUp Foundation for services provided under its programs but remain responsible for all clinical decisions related to treatment. CircleUp manages the intake, triage, and matching process, connecting clients with the most suitable clinician based on need, language, and clinical expertise. Once a match is made, the client’s care is conducted entirely under the clinician’s professional responsibility, in accordance with their regulatory college’s ethical standards. CircleUp does not access clinical notes. The client signed informed consent that clinicians share minimal information with CircleUp to support program coordination and funding accountability.
Our Shared PrinciplesClinical Integrity
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Clinical Integrity - Clinicians retain full professional and ethical responsibility for their cases,
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Accessibility and Equity - CircleUp ensures that clients facing financial barriers can access care through subsidized programs.
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Cultural Competence - Collective members bring awareness to the diverse identities, lived trauma, and language needs of the communities they serve.
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Transparency and Consent - Every data exchange with CircleUp is covered by informed client consent.
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Collaboration without Compromise - Clinicians maintain autonomy, while CircleUp supports access to care.
Limited Information Sharing (With Consent)
CircleUp follows a transparent and ethical approach to information sharing. Clients sign a specific consent form authorizing their clinician to share only the bare minimum information required for administrative purposes, such as: Confirmation that care has begun and number of sessions completed, a brief statement indicating whether further care is clinically advisable (e.g., “additional sessions recommended”), verification of eligibility for program continuation or closure.
No clinical notes, diagnostic details, or sensitive personal information are ever shared. All communications are transmitted securely, stored in compliance with PHIPA, and used solely for program administration.
Targeted Check-Ins and Program Oversight
To ensure equitable service delivery and client safety CircleUp conducts check-ins at defined stages of care These are brief, structured outreach points designed to confirm that the client was able to access care successfully and assess progress against the treatment plan.
Programs Supported by the Collective
Members of the CircleUp Clinical Collective may work within one or more of the following programs:
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Therapy for Adults - Individual therapy addressing trauma, anxiety, and adjustment challenges.
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Therapy for Children and Teens - Emotion-focused and developmental therapy promoting resilience and emotional regulation.
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Parental Guidance - Structured sessions helping parents navigate behavioral, emotional, or relational concerns.
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Psycho- educational Assessments - Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for ADHD, learning disabilities, and developmental needs.
Join Us
If you are a registered Psychologist, social worker or a Psychotherapist (with over 5 years of experience) in Ontario who values equity, ethics, and community care, we invite you to explore joining the CircleUp Clinical Collective. All applicants go through a screening and interview process to ensure alignment with CircleUp’s mission, ethical and professional standards, and program structure. Successful applicants enter into a participation agreement outlining responsibilities, compensation, confidentiality expectations, and data-handling practices. There is no minimum referral commitment, clinicians may determine their availability based on capacity, area of expertise, and professional focus.
Together, we are creating a system where care remains clinically sound, ethically protected, and accessible to those who need it most.