Privacy Policy

1. ABOUT OUR BUSINESS

This Privacy Policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and disclose your personal information. The Creative Journalist operates an art therapy, consulting, and workshop business, and sell related publications (such as books). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

2. TYPES OF INFORMATION WE COLLECT

We may collect the following types of personal information:

Contact details: Name, email address, phone number, and billing/shipping address.
Payment details: Credit card or processing information (collected securely via our payment gateways).
Professional or health information: Relevant health, emotional, or well-being details shared voluntarily during art therapy registration, consulting sessions, or workshop intakes.
Technical data: IP addresses, browser types, and website usage data collected via cookies when you visit our website.

3. HOW WE COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

We collect personal information directly from you when you:

Enquire about or register for our art therapy, consulting, or workshop services.
Purchase our book or other products through our website.
Subscribe to our newsletter or marketing communications.
Interact with us via email, phone, social media, or in person.

4. PURPOSE OF COLLECTION

We collect and use your information to:

Deliver art therapy, consulting, and workshop services to you.
Process your orders and ship purchased books to your address.
Communicate with you about bookings, updates, or administrative matters.
Send you marketing materials and updates (you can opt out at any time).
Comply with our professional, legal, and ethical obligations.

5. HEALTH AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Information collected during art therapy or consulting may be classified as health or sensitive information under Australian privacy laws. We only collect this data with your explicit consent, and we handle it with the highest level of professional confidentiality.

6. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

We do not sell your personal information. We only disclose your information to third parties when necessary to run our business, including:

Delivery and shipping providers to mail your purchased books.
Secure payment processors and IT platforms (e.g., booking software, website hosting).
Professional supervisors or legal authorities, strictly as required by law or professional ethical guidelines (e.g., duty of care).

7. SECURITY AND STORAGE

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorized access, or disclosure. Digital data is stored on secure servers, and any physical session notes or records are kept in locked storage. We retain your information only as long as necessary for business or legal requirements.

8. ACCESS, CORRECTION, AND COMPLAINTS

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and to ask for updates or corrections. If you wish to access your data, or if you have a complaint about how we handled your privacy, please contact us directly at martina@thecreativejournalist.com.au. We will respond to your request or complaint promptly. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).