The Full Circle Program is our way of exemplifying one of The Design Your Life Centre’s core values: making high quality psychological services accessible to as many people as possible. Being able to do this while also contributing to the training and development of those wanting to serve others in their journey to design their lives is an added bonus. Why? Because when more people have the opportunity to become their best selves, we all benefit.
Here’s how it works: The therapist in training gives their services under the supervision of one of our senior clinicians. The client receives the benefits of two trained clinicians for a minimal cost of $25/hr. Although receiving needed services. the client also gives the clinician the opportunity to further hone their skills, thus completing the circle of giving.
GET TO KNOW OUR FULL CIRCLE PROGRAM
THERAPISTS-IN-TRAINING:
MEET: DRAGAN KLJUJIC
Psychotherapist-in-Training
Read below to learn more about Dragan and what it is
that drives him to pursue a career in counselling.
Dragan is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) who, after studying clinical psychology in Europe, worked more than two decades in the city hospital before coming to Canada. A variety of clients and their complaints led him to adopt an eclectic approach in searching for the best evidence-based therapeutic practices and techniques that suit clients’ needs and preferences.
His work with clients integrate a holistic approach of the Humanistic Psychology that focuses on human potential, free will, self-discovery and finding personal meaning in life with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt, Psychoanalysis, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Relaxation Techniques.
During the turbulent events that affected his country (war and extensive humanitarian crises), Dragan was invited to join the City Council and help develop measures to protect the mental health of the public, worked with refugees and soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder and other
stress-related problems. In his long counselling career,
Dragan mostly worked with adults struggling with anxiety and phobias, depression, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, sexual dysfunctions and relational issues, helping them to overcome their problems, improve their quality of life, and continue with their personal growth and designing their lives.
WHY ARE YOU PURSUING A CAREER IN COUNSELLING?
I am thrilled that after so many years I have another opportunity to use my experience and continue to learn and grow together with my clients. As a mature student coming from Europe with over twenty years experience as a hospital-based, Clinical Psychologist, counselling patients with a wide range of psychological challenges, I am excited
to return to this deeply meaningful work of collaborating with clients to help them design their lives.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE TRAINING AT THIS CLINIC?
Led by an experienced psychologist, the Design Your Life Centre offers expertise in counselling clients with a wide range of psychological challenges using a range of therapeutic approaches that are adapted to meet clients’ specific needs. This evidence-based, client-centred approach fully aligns with my values and experience that integrating the best components of several therapeutic approaches is far more effective than any one alone. At the same time, it opens more opportunities for learning new skills and therapeutic techniques.
WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?
After years of experience working mostly with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, relational issues, and many other psychological problems, I still do not know who my ideal client is. Most therapists prefer clients who are open-minded and motivated. I find that those who do not fit that description are even more challenging and inspiring for therapists and offer them more opportunities to grow together with their clients.
MEET: NATISHA WILSON
Psychotherapist-in-Training
Read below to learn more about Natisha and what it is
that drives her to pursue a career in counselling.
WHY ARE YOU PURSUING A CAREER IN COUNSELLING?
I have always been passionate about helping to create a world where everyone has a chance to be happy and content. As I became an adult, I realized, that unfortunately, true happiness is rare. This realization did not deter or dissuade my passion of helping others; it allowed me to re-evaluate my methods of action. Rather than helping people strive for complete happiness, I began to focus on learning how to help people understand the reasons for their emotional challenges and how to navigate their emotions to regain control of their lives.
This passion has pushed me to acquire the skills and knowledge that is needed to excel in the field of counselling, and to teach the tools people can use to continue to help themselves long after our counselling has ended.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE TRAINING
AT THIS CLINIC?
A sense of belonging is what drew me towards training at the Design Your Life Centre. I immediately experienced the Design Your Life Centre as a warm and welcoming place for all. I particularly appreciate and respect the way the DYLC has followed through with their mission of providing high quality psychological services to as many people as possible, through the creation of The Full Circle Program as it aligns with my values of making evidence-based mental health services accessible.
WHO IS YOUR IDEAL CLIENT?
My ideal client is anyone who is open to learning how to become their best selves and willing to do the work to make it happen. I am particularly interested in working with adults willing to help themselves as well as those currently challenged by depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and general everyday stressors.
Full Circle Program FAQs
Why is there a fee for service if the clients you want to serve have limited means to pay?
Believe it or not, paying something for services leads to better outcomes. It is a meaningful exchange which increases the client’s perceived value of the services and their motivation to do the work.
Do I need a referral?
Yes. A referral from a health care provider who is licensed to practice in Ontario is required. This can be a family doctor, nurse practitioner, naturopath, chiropractor, massage therapist..or any other licensed health professional (I think you get the idea).
How does the therapist’s supervision work?
The therapist in training meets a minimum of once/week with Dr. Thomas for supervision. At that time, the student therapist will review their notes from the sessions with each client with Dr. Thomas and Dr. Thomas will provide feedback and guidance as needed. Audio recordings of the sessions will also be shared with Dr. Thomas for her to review as needed on a case by case basis. Therefore, all clients involved in the program will also need to consent to having their sessions audio recorded. These recordings will be kept confidential and shared only with Dr. Thomas.
In some cases, some clients might be asked to allow the therapist to share a recording of their session with course colleagues and professors within his/her training program if required to provide recordings of sessions to fulfill course requirements. The purpose of the recordings are to evaluate the therapist’s skill level in delivering services not an evaluation of the client. Please note however, that the sharing of recordings with course colleagues and professors is not a requirement of participation in this program and there is no pressure at all to comply with this request.
How can I be assured that my concerns will be addressed if I am being treated by a therapist who is still in training?
There is no one who is more motivated and focused on your case than someone who is training to become an excellent therapist. They are not only super keen (which means that they are likely to read more, think more, and work harder to make sure they serve you well), our best research on psychotherapy outcomes shows that students often outperform seasoned professionals when it comes to delivering standardized, scientifically validated, treatment protocols. This is largely because they are more likely to actually follow tested protocols than those who have become comfortable with their own style (ie., those who have been practicing for many years). They also have the benefit of being more in tune with the latest technologies in their field, which is a value add.
Part of our reasons for taking on practicum students here is to ensure that our senior practitioners are also constantly upping their game. There is nothing like a student watching you work and asking questions to make sure that you are on point and are operating with full awareness at all times.
So, the beauty of this program is that each client will have the benefit of, not one, but TWO trained therapists, who are motivated and focused on helping you become your best.
If needed, can I meet with Dr. Stacy directly?
Yes. Dr. Stacy will always be available to meet with clients if and when needed. However, you will always be encouraged to discuss any issues with your therapist directly.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Credit card, or e-transfer. Payment is due at the end of the session and an invoice will be mailed to you after the session for your records.