Balara Art Therapy Studio — Privacy Policy
Last updated: May 2026
1. Introduction
Balara Art Therapy Studio (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your personal
information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store,
disclose and protect your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Balara Art Therapy Studio is operated by Divya Jacob as a sole trader (ABN 40 649 765
832), offering transpersonal art therapy as a complementary wellbeing service. Divya is a
Full Member of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) and operates
in accordance with the IICT Code of Ethics and Conduct.
By engaging our services, you consent to the collection and use of your personal information
as described in this policy. You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting us (see
Section 11).
2. What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect the following types of personal information:
2.1 Personal Details
• Full name, preferred name and preferred pronouns
• Date of birth
• Residential address
• Phone number and email address
• Preferred method of contact
• Emergency contact details (name, phone number, relationship)
• Employment status
2.2 Health and Sensitive Information
Under the Privacy Act, health information is classified as “sensitive information” and receives
a higher level of protection. We may collect:
• Details of any disability, physical or mental health conditions
• Current medications
• Details of current health or mental health professionals involved in your care
• Information about your recent moods and emotional state
• Information about significant life changes or stressful events
• Topics that may be triggering for you
• Cultural, spiritual or religious background relevant to your care
• Session notes recording themes, observations and creative processes explored
during sessions
2.3 Other Information
• Therapeutic goals and presenting challenges
• Creative expression history and preferences
• Payment and invoicing records
3. How We Collect Your Information
We collect personal information:
• Directly from you, through our intake form, service agreement, and during sessions
• Through our booking and invoicing systems
• Through our telehealth platform (Zoom) for virtual sessions
• From third parties only with your written consent (for example, from a referring health
professional)
We will only collect health information that is reasonably necessary for the provision of
transpersonal art therapy services and with your express consent.
4. Why We Collect Your Information
We collect your personal information for the following purposes:
• To provide you with tailored transpersonal art therapy sessions
• To assess whether our services are appropriate for your needs
• To contact you regarding appointments, scheduling and session-related
communications
• To contact your emergency contacts in the event of a safety concern
• To maintain accurate clinical records as required by professional and legal
obligations
• To issue invoices and manage payments
• To make referrals to other health professionals where appropriate and with your
consent
• To comply with legal and regulatory obligations
5. How We Use and Disclose Your Information
Your personal information will only be used for the primary purpose for which it was
collected, as outlined in Section 4 above. We will not use or disclose your personal
information for any other purpose unless:
• You have given your written consent
• It is required or authorised by Australian law
• It is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to life, health or safety
• It is required by a court, tribunal or law enforcement authority
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information to any third party. We do not use your
personal information for direct marketing purposes without your express consent.
5.1 Communication with Your Care Team
If you have existing health or mental health professionals involved in your care, we may, with
your written consent, communicate with them to support your wellbeing. This will be
discussed with you and your written consent will be obtained before any information is
shared.
6. How We Store and Protect Your Information
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference,
loss, and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. Measures include:
• Electronic records are stored in password-protected, encrypted systems
• Paper records (if any) are stored in a locked, secure location
• Access to client records is restricted to the practitioner only
• Virtual sessions are conducted via Zoom using password-protected meeting links
• Sessions are not recorded unless separately agreed in writing
We will retain your personal information for a minimum of 7 years from the date of your last
session, in accordance with professional record-keeping obligations. After this period,
records will be securely destroyed.
7. Telehealth and Virtual Sessions
For virtual sessions delivered via Zoom, please be aware that:
• Zoom’s own privacy policy and terms of service apply to the use of their platform
• We use password-protected meeting links and waiting rooms to protect session
privacy
• Sessions are not recorded by the practitioner unless separately agreed in writing
• We cannot guarantee the security of information transmitted over the internet and
cannot control the privacy of your environment during a virtual session
• You are responsible for ensuring you are in a private, secure location during your
session
• If a technology failure occurs during a session, the practitioner will attempt to re-
establish the connection or reschedule
8. Your Rights
Under the Australian Privacy Principles, you have the following rights:
Access: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you at any time.
We will respond to your request within 30 days.
Correction: If you believe any information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete or
out of date, you may request that we correct it. We will take reasonable steps to correct the
information.
Withdrawal of Consent: You may withdraw your consent for us to collect, use or disclose
your personal information at any time. Please note that withdrawing consent may affect our
ability to provide services to you, and this will be discussed with you.
Anonymity: Where practicable, you have the option of not identifying yourself or using a
pseudonym when dealing with us. However, given the nature of our services, we generally
require your identity to provide safe and effective care.
9. Data Breaches
In the event of a data breach that is likely to result in serious harm to you, we will notify you
and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) as soon as practicable, in
accordance with the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme under Part IIIC of the Privacy Act
1988.
10. Complaints
If you have a concern or complaint about how we have handled your personal information,
please contact us in the first instance using the details in Section 11 below. We will
acknowledge your complaint within 7 days and respond within 30 days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with:
• The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): www.oaic.gov.au or
phone 1300 363 992
• The Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC):
www.hcscc.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8226 8666 or toll free 1800 232 007
• The International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT): www.myiict.com
11. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to access or correct your personal
information, withdraw consent, or make a complaint, please contact us:
Practitioner: Divya Jacob
Business: Balara Art Therapy Studio
Phone: 0415 506 244
Email: balara.arttherapystudio@outlook.com
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or
legal obligations. The updated version will be made available on our website. We encourage
you to review this policy periodically. Where changes are significant, we will take reasonable
steps to notify you.
SA Code of Conduct
Balara Art Therapy Studio operates in accordance with the SA Code of Conduct for Certain Health Care Workers.
Click here to download the SA Code of Conduct.