Hiskins Arts Therapy & Counselling is operated by Rachel Hiskins.
This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal and health information when you enquire, book, or receive services, including:
counselling, arts therapy, creative couples therapy, clinical hypnotherapy, and individual clinical supervision.
Information collected:
When you enquire, book, or receive services, I may collect your name, contact details, appointment information, and information relevant to your care.
Records may include intake and consent forms, session notes, invoices, and correspondence.
Please keep website enquiries brief. Avoid including detailed health or other sensitive information in ordinary emails or booking notes.
Booking and client records:
Bookings and client records are managed through Halaxy.
Intake and consent forms can be completed through a Halaxy link or together during a session, with information recorded in Halaxy. Forms are not sent or returned as email attachments.
Halaxy states that Australian users’ data is stored in Australia. Some suppliers and optional integrations may process information overseas, depending on the services used. Halaxy’s privacy policy provides further details. https://www.halaxy.com/privacy/au
How information is used and shared:
Your information is used to respond to enquiries, arrange and provide services, maintain records and meet professional and legal obligations.
Personal information is not sold. Information may be shared with your consent, with service providers where needed to support your care or practice administration, or where disclosure is required or permitted by law.
Confidentiality and its limits are discussed as part of informed consent.
Accessing or correcting your information:
You can contact Rachel to request access to your personal information or ask for a correction. Your identity may need to be confirmed before records are provided.
If access or a correction cannot be provided, the reasons and available next steps will be explained.
Email: rachel@hiskinsartstherapy.com
Privacy questions or concerns:
If you have a question or concern about how your information is handled, please contact Rachel at rachel@hiskinsartstherapy.com.
I will acknowledge your complaint, review what happened, and discuss any further information needed with you. I aim to respond within 30 days. If more time is needed, I will explain why and keep you informed.
You can also contact the Health Complaints Commissioner Victoria for independent advice or to make a health privacy complaint. You don’t have to raise your concern with Rachel first.
Keeping records:
Currently, clinical notes are managed through Halaxy. Some records, including hypnotherapy recordings and older paper files, are held separately. Access is restricted; electronic devices are password-protected, and paper records are kept in locked storage.
We keep health records for at least seven years after the last service. If information was collected while a client was under 18, we keep it until at least their 25th birthday or seven years after the last service, whichever is later.
Records may be retained longer where required by law or professional obligations.
Access to client records is restricted to authorised people who need it for their role.
Website information:
When you visit this website, technical information such as your IP address, browser details and pages requested may be processed by hosting and security services to operate and protect the site.
A cookie remembers when you close the cookie notice, so it does not appear repeatedly.
Email enquiries:
Enquiries sent to rachel@hiskinsartstherapy.com are received through Gmail. Google may process and store email information outside Australia. Please keep emails to general enquiries and appointment arrangements, rather than detailed health information.
Your choices:
You may make an initial enquiry without giving your full name. To provide a service, maintain accurate records and manage bookings or payments, identifying information will usually be needed.
You can ask why particular information is requested and discuss any concerns before providing it.