At Gentle Journeys Counselling (referred to as “the Practice”, "we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Act) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) as outlined in the Act. We also adhere to the Spam Act 2003 (Cth), which regulates the sending of commercial electronic messages, including emails.
The Website (www.gentlejourneys.com.au) is our digital shopfront where you can find out more about our practice and stay in touch with us. This Privacy Policy outlines how the Practice manages personal information as disclosed through the Website and explains your rights regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your data.
1. Collection of Personal Information
What personal information do we collect and hold?
We collect and hold the following types of personal information provided through our Website:
How do we collect and hold your personal information?
We primarily collect personal information directly from you, such as when you send us an inquiry or use the Website. In some cases, we may receive your information from third parties, including regulatory bodies, government entities, or publicly available databases, where relevant to our statutory responsibilities or operational needs.
What happens if we do not collect your personal information?
If we do not collect your personal information, we may be unable to accept your inquiry or provide you with our products and services.
Why do we collect and hold your personal information?
We collect and hold your personal information for the following purposes:
We use cookies to collect personal information through our website. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device that allows the website to remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience. Without cookies, websites cannot retain user information, requiring you to log in repeatedly. Cookies enhance your experience by enabling seamless navigation.
2. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
How do we use and disclose your personal information?
We will only use or disclose your personal information if:
The Practice may disclose your personal information to third-party service providers located outside Australia, including in New Zealand, the United States, China, the Philippines, or other countries as required to meet data storage needs. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the purposes of their engagement with us.
Opting Out of Email Correspondence
You may in the course of your use of the Website agree to receive email correspondence. If you would like us to remove you from our mail list please notify us in writing at hello@gentlejounreys.com or notify us via the unsubscribe button in the email body.
3. Data Security
While the takes reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, no internet transmission can be guaranteed as completely secure. You acknowledge that transmitting information to the Practice over the internet is done at your own risk.
We implement measures to ensure third parties with access to your information comply with the Privacy Act and use the data only for the intended purpose. When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, unless retention is required by law or a court/tribunal order.
4. Access to and Correction of Personal Information
You have the right to access and correct your personal information unless we are legally permitted to withhold it. Requests for access or correction should be made in writing to our Privacy Officer.
We may deny access in certain circumstances, including if:
5. Further Information and Complaints
If you have questions about our privacy practices or wish to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing. We will respond within a reasonable time, typically 30 days.
If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you may escalate your concerns to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner using the form available here.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date of publication and may be updated from time to time. Please review it periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.
Dated: 16th May 2025
The Website (www.gentlejourneys.com.au) is our digital shopfront where you can find out more about our practice and stay in touch with us. This Privacy Policy outlines how the Practice manages personal information as disclosed through the Website and explains your rights regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your data.
1. Collection of Personal Information
What personal information do we collect and hold?
We collect and hold the following types of personal information provided through our Website:
- Your contact details, such as office address, home address, phone numbers, and email address;
- Personal details, including gender, qualifications, and professional titles;
- Any inquiries made by you;
- Your browsing history on the Practice website; and
- Other records of your communications and interactions with us.
How do we collect and hold your personal information?
We primarily collect personal information directly from you, such as when you send us an inquiry or use the Website. In some cases, we may receive your information from third parties, including regulatory bodies, government entities, or publicly available databases, where relevant to our statutory responsibilities or operational needs.
What happens if we do not collect your personal information?
If we do not collect your personal information, we may be unable to accept your inquiry or provide you with our products and services.
Why do we collect and hold your personal information?
We collect and hold your personal information for the following purposes:
- Maintaining accurate records and providing information to you and regulatory bodies;
- Informing you about our services and publications;
- Responding to your enquiries, requests, or use of our services;
- Facilitating the controlled use of your information by third parties distributing professional development-related content;
- Analysing your interactions with our services to improve the information, services, and advertising we provide;
- Using or disclosing information as required or authorised by law.
We use cookies to collect personal information through our website. A cookie is a small text file stored on your device that allows the website to remember your preferences and improve your browsing experience. Without cookies, websites cannot retain user information, requiring you to log in repeatedly. Cookies enhance your experience by enabling seamless navigation.
2. Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
How do we use and disclose your personal information?
We will only use or disclose your personal information if:
- It is reasonably necessary for one of the purposes outlined above;
- You would reasonably expect us to use or disclose the information based on the circumstances of collection;
- It is required or authorised by law, a court, or a tribunal;
- It is necessary to protect the rights, property, health, or safety of an individual, the public, or our interests, and obtaining your consent is impractical;
- Our business assets or operations are transferred to another party as a going concern;
- It is necessary to engage third-party service providers (e.g., for data analysis or processing), with strict controls on their use of your information;
- It is permitted under the Privacy Act; or
- You have provided your consent.
The Practice may disclose your personal information to third-party service providers located outside Australia, including in New Zealand, the United States, China, the Philippines, or other countries as required to meet data storage needs. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the purposes of their engagement with us.
Opting Out of Email Correspondence
You may in the course of your use of the Website agree to receive email correspondence. If you would like us to remove you from our mail list please notify us in writing at hello@gentlejounreys.com or notify us via the unsubscribe button in the email body.
3. Data Security
While the takes reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure, no internet transmission can be guaranteed as completely secure. You acknowledge that transmitting information to the Practice over the internet is done at your own risk.
We implement measures to ensure third parties with access to your information comply with the Privacy Act and use the data only for the intended purpose. When personal information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to destroy or de-identify it, unless retention is required by law or a court/tribunal order.
4. Access to and Correction of Personal Information
You have the right to access and correct your personal information unless we are legally permitted to withhold it. Requests for access or correction should be made in writing to our Privacy Officer.
We may deny access in certain circumstances, including if:
- Providing access would pose a serious threat to life, health, or safety;
- It would unreasonably impact another individual’s privacy;
- The request is frivolous or vexatious;
- The information relates to legal proceedings and is not accessible through discovery;
- It would reveal our negotiation intentions or prejudice negotiations;
- It would prejudice investigations into unlawful activity or serious misconduct;
- Providing access would be unlawful or prohibited by law or a court/tribunal order;
- It would prejudice enforcement-related activities; or
- It would reveal commercially sensitive decision-making processes.
5. Further Information and Complaints
If you have questions about our privacy practices or wish to make a complaint, please contact our Privacy Officer in writing. We will respond within a reasonable time, typically 30 days.
If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you may escalate your concerns to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner using the form available here.
This Privacy Policy is effective as of the date of publication and may be updated from time to time. Please review it periodically to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.
Dated: 16th May 2025
