Vikashan ("we", "us", "our") is committed to protecting your personal information. This policy explains what we collect, why we collect it, and how it is handled when you use our website or book a session.
1. Who we are
Vikashan is an online practice providing career counselling, psychotherapy, and wellbeing support. Services are provided by Vikashan Thayanithy, operating as a sole trader in Australia. You can contact us at vik@vikashan.org.
2. What information we collect
We collect information you provide directly to us:
- Contact details — name, email address, phone number
- Booking information — session type, date, time, and any notes you include
- Payment information — processed securely by Stripe; we do not store card details
- Communications — messages sent via our contact form
- Mailing preferences — if you opt in to our mailing list
We do not collect sensitive information (such as health records) through this website. Any clinical information shared during sessions is handled under separate professional obligations.
3. How we use your information
- To confirm and manage your bookings
- To send you session reminders and follow-up emails
- To process payments via Stripe
- To respond to enquiries
- To send occasional updates if you have opted in (you can unsubscribe at any time)
4. Legal basis for processing (GDPR)
Where applicable, we process your data on the basis of:
- Contract — to fulfil a booking you have made
- Legitimate interests — to communicate with clients and manage our practice
- Consent — for mailing list sign-ups
5. Third-party services
We use the following third-party services to operate:
- Supabase — database hosting (data stored in Australia/US)
- Stripe — payment processing (Stripe Privacy Policy)
- Resend — transactional email delivery
- Google Meet / Zoom — video sessions
- Vercel — website hosting
These services have their own privacy policies. We share only the minimum information necessary for them to function.
6. Data retention
We retain booking and client records for up to 7 years in accordance with Australian tax and professional record-keeping obligations. Mailing list subscriptions are retained until you unsubscribe. You may request deletion of your data at any time (see Section 8).
7. Cookies
Our website uses minimal cookies necessary for functionality (e.g. session authentication). We do not use advertising or tracking cookies.
8. Your rights
You have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
- Withdraw consent for marketing at any time
- Lodge a complaint with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) at oaic.gov.au
To exercise any of these rights, email vik@vikashan.org.
9. Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information from unauthorised access or disclosure. All data is transmitted over HTTPS and stored using industry-standard security practices.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of the site after changes constitutes acceptance.
Questions? Email vik@vikashan.org