Accountability
:an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions.
In building Groundfire Counselling & Community Work, we’re trying something a little different than what’s expected (of business, of mental health professionals, of community members). In doing so, we will likely misstep at some point(s). Here you can find a brief overview of our accountability practices, how and with whom we maintain those practices, acknowledgement of some of our limitations, and a space where we will share some behind-the-scenes data for transparency.
Institutional Accountability
All Groundfire practitioners are professional members of Canadian regulating bodies (associations and institutions designed to regulate our professions). As such, we uphold the codes of ethics, standards of practice, and hold appropriate professional insurance for our chosen regulating bodies and those who consult us can raise concerns directly to the regulating body for intervention. Each practitioner will have the regulating body that they align with listed on their bio page.
Some of us are certified or registered, which means that the regulating body has verified our credentials and co-signed our competencies—this is usually what insurance companies are looking for when they allow or deny coverage of services through extended health benefits.
Some of us are professional members but are not yet certified or registered, which means that we have recognized training such as a Master degree in counselling, social work, or related fields, and we uphold the codes of ethics and standards of practice of the regulating body, but we have not gone through the process of being certified or registered. This usually means that insurance companies will not cover services by these practitioners unless through a flexible healthcare spending account that covers alternative healthcare practitioners.
As institutional processes do not always create space for community work, we’ve expanded beyond institutional accountability (see below).
Community Accountability
We recognize and appreciate that institutions are sometimes far-removed from community needs—particularly those of marginalized communities. To balance accountabilities, we seek and nurture relationships with peers and community members whom we trust and respect to call attention to any concerns and support us to do better in service of our communities.
In addition to being able to bring questions or concerns to one of the co-founders or directly to a practitioner, clients of GCCW have the option to reach out to one of our Accountability Team members, comprised of external practitioners in community who have graciously agreed to be a community-based point of contact for clients experiencing a rupture in need of repair.
When you begin a therapeutic relationship with a Groundfire practitioner, you’ll complete a ‘Consent & Confidentiality’ form that includes the contact information for Accountability Team members. You can learn more about how this process can go in our Conflict Resolution Policy.
Social Limitations
We will continue to do what we can to offer services that honour and respect your stories and experiences. We also recognize that our experiences and perspectives are all contextually bound (i.e., visibly-racialized or not, trans, disabled/chronically ill, neurodivergent, of refugee experience, etcetera). While we remain growing and learning and expanding what we can offer, we are and will be limited in some capacities.
If we end up not being who you’re looking for, no hard feelings. We’re happy to assist in connecting with practitioners who might better fit your needs and wants (if welcome). We want you access services that resonate with you—doesn’t have to be through us.
Financial Accountability
The practice of financial transparency may not a particularly common one in the private business sphere, but it is a practice we believe to be an important part of accountability. While charities and non-profits are required to publicly report their annual financial accountability statements, private sector businesses are not.
As a by-and-for-community “for-profit” company, we sit somewhere in the middle. Read more about why we chose to pursue a for-profit over a non-profit corporation structure here.
Under Groundfire, we will post our financial overview each year after our taxes are paid and we’ve got the data sorted (usually around December of each year).
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