The Gentle Path Inward™
Last updated: 7 October 2026
At The Gentle Path Inward™, I am committed to providing services that are safe, respectful, ethical and professional.
Your experience matters. Feedback — whether it is a compliment, suggestion or concern — helps me reflect on and continually improve the services I provide.
If something does not feel right, you are welcome to raise it with me. You will be treated respectfully and fairly when providing feedback or making a complaint.
Providing Feedback
I welcome feedback about any aspect of your experience with The Gentle Path Inward™.
Feedback may include comments about:
- your experience of a service, session, course or program;
- communication or administration;
- accessibility;
- something you particularly valued;
- something you believe could be improved; or
- any concern you have about the service you received.
Feedback can be sent to:
The Gentle Path Inward™
Alison Deacon
Email: info@thegentlepathinward.com.au
Website: thegentlepathinward.com.au
Making a Complaint
If you are dissatisfied with a service or have concerns about your experience, you are welcome to contact me directly so that I have an opportunity to understand your concerns and, where possible, resolve the matter with you.
When making a complaint, it can be helpful to include:
- your name and contact details;
- the service concerned;
- what happened and when;
- the nature of your concern; and
- what you would like me to consider as a possible resolution.
You do not need to provide all of this information in order to raise a concern.
Complaints can be sent to:
info@thegentlepathinward.com.au
I will acknowledge your complaint and aim to consider and respond to it within a reasonable timeframe.
Your complaint will be treated respectfully and as confidentially as reasonably possible, subject to any legal or professional obligations.
How Complaints Are Handled
When I receive a complaint, I will aim to:
- listen to and understand your concerns;
- consider the circumstances fairly;
- seek further information where necessary;
- explain my response and any action that can reasonably be taken;
- identify opportunities to improve my services or processes; and
- communicate the outcome to you.
Where appropriate, an outcome may include an explanation, clarification, apology, corrective action, change to a process or another reasonable resolution.
Making a complaint will not result in retaliation or unreasonable disadvantage.
Professional & Ethical Standards
I am a member of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) and practise in accordance with the professional and ethical standards applicable to my membership.
The IICT Code of Ethics includes standards relating to professional competence, confidentiality, client welfare, professional boundaries, appropriate referrals, financial arrangements and professional conduct.
The IICT Code also provides a grievance process. It states that concerns about a potential breach should first be attempted to be resolved informally with the practitioner before formal grievance proceedings through IICT where the matter cannot be resolved. IICT-Code-Of-Ethics-2022 (1)
Victorian Code of Conduct
As a general health service provider in Victoria, I am also required to comply with the Code of Conduct for General Health Services.
The Code establishes the minimum legal standards that general health service providers in Victoria who are not regulated by AHPRA must comply with.
The Code covers areas including safe and ethical practice, working within appropriate training and experience, informed consent, privacy, record keeping, professional boundaries, appropriate insurance and truthful information about services and qualifications.
VIEW THE VICTORIAN CODE OF CONDUCT
External Health Complaints
You have the right to contact the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) about a health service.
You may contact the HCC if you are not satisfied with how your concern has been handled, or if you do not feel comfortable raising the matter directly with me.
Health Complaints Commissioner
Phone: 1300 582 113
Website: hcc.vic.gov.au
HOW TO MAKE A HEALTH COMPLAINT
Use this link: Health Complaints Commissioner — About Complaints
The Victorian Code specifically requires general health service providers to make both the Code and information about how clients can make a complaint to the Commissioner easily accessible.
Privacy Complaints
If your concern relates specifically to how your personal or health information has been collected, used, stored or disclosed, please contact:
privacy@thegentlepathinward.com.au
Further information about how personal information is handled and how privacy concerns can be raised is available in the Privacy Policy.
Our Commitment
Feedback and complaints are an important part of maintaining safe, ethical and professional practice.
Where a concern identifies an opportunity to improve a service, communication, policy or process, I will consider what changes can reasonably be made.
My aim is to provide a space where people feel respected, heard and supported throughout their experience with The Gentle Path Inward™.