As a professional Counsellor, and coach I follow ethics and guidelines set out by my
professional body, PACFA (Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia).
This requires me to outline to you, as my client, the manner in which I work.
The Counselling and Coaching I perform is usually based on a person-centred, humanistic approach.
This means I will work with you to attain a best outcome for your situation. Generally counselling and coaching is generally not advice giving, I like to think of it as a helping hand. Other skills I may use are solution-focused,
looking at your cultural perspective, and looking at your situation from both an individual and a system view point. I may utilise Gestalt Therapy the mind, body, and spirit, and Freud theory going back into your childhood if may be.
With intuitive counselling I may utislise my intuitive guidance cards, colour therapy cards, and angel cards to help clarify what is going on for you, along with what my intuition is telling me, the best way to help understand what you are going through.
Coaching is not about giving advice but instead focuses on your desired goals. Through targeted questioning, we work with laser precision to help you move towards your objectives. The process is about transformation, where my questions support you in gaining clarity, while you take Radical Responsibility for your own journey.
If I cannot help you at any point of our work together, I am required to refer you to any other professional that can assist you further. This is especially important for Clinical Depression and other medical or psychiatric conditions that may require a medical or psychiatric diagnosis. I will advise you at any stage if I need to refer you on to another service.
I seek professional Clinical Supervision in an online manner for my in-person and online work as a professional support person to you and as such may have a need to discuss your case. Only details relevant to supervision are discussed, names and specifics are not supplied. This is considered an important aspect of
maintaining professionalism within the field.
Under most circumstances, I will not release any information you have disclosed within a counselling session without your prior permission unless I have a legal obligation to do so.
Some of my legal obligations include,
though are not limited to, illegal activity, suicidal clients, domestic violence situations involving children, child abuse and a court subpoena. It also depends on the laws within your country that would determine the course of action. I would also need to alert authorities if you were a danger to yourself or others.
24 hour’s notice is required for any cancellations of appointments, otherwise, the fee will be charged.
TELEHEALTH ONLINE THERAPY AND PHONE CONSIDERATIONS (INFORMED CONSENT) and online etiquette:
* May have a risk of being overheard
* Internet lagging, which may cause miscommunication
* Verification of location
*As the counsellor I ensure that I am in a private and confidential space so that I cannot be overheard in my home. I use headphones if necessary.
*As the client I cannot control your space but it is important for you to feel that you can safely share and be in a private space.
*Some clients find going for a drive and parking somewhere works well if there are people in the home and they use their phone.
*If other people are present in the room counselling will not be allowed to proceed, I am bound by a Code of Ethics that requires me to provide counselling in a private and confidential space.
*Please ensure that you are in a room that does not have traffic going through it.
*Please ensure that the door is closed and wear headphones if necessary to add an extra level of privacy.
*Please be sitting up at all times during the counselling sessions.
*Please do NOT have children present in the room with you, unless it is a baby. Children can be disruptive when they know their parent is busy and it does not allow you to relax and be present. Children also understand and pick up energy from their parents. Please organise your time to have your children taken care during your sessions, unless in exceptional circumstances (i.e. no support around children).
*Please have a box of tissues and a glass of water handy with you. Emotions can arise and this can make us thirsty.
*Please do not use blurred or fake backgrounds as the counsellor is unable to clarify whether there are people in the background.
Boundaries for our work together:
We will maintain boundaries for all sessions and I will not be providing free counselling or coaching outside our allocated appointment times that is scheduled, on Zoom, Powerdiary or WhatsApp, via the phone (voice calls), or in person.
In addition, as a professional, I cannot be ‘friends’, ‘contacts’ or connected to you in any way outside our counselling sessions.
I therefore cannot become friends with you on Facebook, LinkedIn, or other social media platforms. Note no discussion on any medium of the details of sessions is appropriate.
My fees are accessed by sending me an email: desanka.ogrizovic.counsellor@outlook.com.
Individual sessions generally run fifty minutes to one hour.
Please allow for this time in your schedule.
I will advise you in advance of any fee changes, though it is understood with rising costs, fees change from time to time.