Ethical Service Promotion

I didn’t plan to go into private practice when I was studying to get my Graduate Certificate and Masters in Counselling. I was adamant that I would find ethical work in the public or community sector where there is potential for clear oversight, legislation, standards and access that protects both myself as the practitioner and the clients coming to Counselling.

Gradually I realised this was a pipe dream in Sydney, and it was during the time of placement that it became very clear that the profession was not only competitive and unregulated, but that Counselling was still seen as inferior to Psychology. Opportunities that accommodated my needs, including my parenting responsibilities, travel time and progressive views were slim.

After two deferments, I was lucky to obtain a wonderful placement that accommodated both my needs and the obligations to the university, and it has resulted in employment that I value, knowing I am practicing, learning and implementing solid work and hopefully making a positive impact in the lives of my young clients and their families. If you have school aged children, check out Raising Connected Kids for our excellent online Psychoeducation programs.

I also relented and started my own online practice. I still explore employment opportunities that accommodate my geographical location, my carer responsibilities and my capacity, but I have found that there aren’t many options for new graduates regardless of the almost 30 years of support experience, training and education under my belt prior to graduating. Unfortunately, many roles require at least a Level 3 ACA registration that only recognises Counselling hours and Supervision acquired as a post graduate and I am not quite there yet as I am still at Level 2.

I was confident that with all my lived, work, education and training experience, observing what was on offer from other services and knowing what I was capable of, that I could start something and build it from the ground up. I got to work creating DHM Counselling and found that perhaps a bespoke service that I run, manage and account for by myself is literally living the dream of providing the ethical, best practice and accessible service I always imagined.

It hasn’t been easy taking on the responsibility of a sole trader in the realm of social and emotional healthcare. I’m that Type A kind of person that wants to tick every box, get everything right and make sure I am providing clients with a therapy experience that will give them something unique and personalised to suit their needs. At the same time, I wanted to make sure that I was part of something bigger that surrounds me with the belonging, the support and the expertise of a growing profession that adheres to the developing National Standards, has oversight from a peak body (mine is the Australian Counselling Association), and ensures I have access to quality professional supervision (I use Supervision Convo), as well as ongoing Professional Development. I wanted to ensure that my clients have options connecting them to a broader network of evidence-based, legally robust and best quality therapeutic resources.

Over the last couple of years, I built my own brand, designed a logo and website, wrote policies, procedures and documents, created an accessible booking system and marketing material, continued to work, train and collaborate, and the best part, when clients sought me out, I practiced. I Counselled, supported, listened, consoled, shared information and held space for people needing solace, respite and connection. I applied for my NDIS registration and progressed through the auditing process with QIP, and the application process which took time and effort, but enhanced the structure and integrity of my little business. I participated in hours of training and development, supervision, research and learning. I reflected, reflected, REFLECTED, and continue to observe myself, my practice, and my progress on a daily basis.

I networked with potential referral points and continue to find ways to connect with other people and entities that are like minded and want to provide a secure, safe, inclusive, accessible, ethical, intersectional and diverse community that simply cares for the wellbeing of other human beings at a time when the most powerful elements of our world and communities serve themselves and their own interests first, at the expense of the most vulnerable who need it most.

I reached out to GPs, community organisations, women’s refuges, speech therapists, pharmacies, libraries, disability support services, even hairdressers, places I thought people might show up first needing a Counsellor. I curated social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and Tik Tok to put my brand out there and have a place to reach out to people who could use my service for themselves or as a referral point.

It has been a pride swallowing, cringe ignoring, shame abandoning exercise in self promotion and vulnerability that I wasn’t sure I would be capable of doing. I’m not new to social media. My generation invented it. But before I became a Counsellor it was about connecting with people I knew and philosophising about the best and worst of the world and humanity, always with the intention of encouraging critical thinking, freedom of expression, equity and social justice.

This is different. I walk a fine line between continuing my Humanist agenda of promoting fairness and wellbeing, whilst running a business that has to remain ethical, legal, and still be financially viable. That last one is the kicker for me. I’m not good at prioritising making money beyond having what I need to survive, look after my kids and live a comfortable life, amid a rising cost of living and housing crisis. I think long, hard and carefully about what I say and share, when I participate, and how often I show up to promote my service so I don’t become a shameless ‘ambulance chaser’ or someone benefiting from the suffering of others. I am not, never have been and never will be that person. I simply want to help. However, I am learning more and more that I am also worthy of success in this field, I can promote myself authentically, and I know that showing up this way, leads by example, not only for younger Counsellors starting out, but for clients too. A balance between humility and confidence is possible.

I don’t have all the answers when it comes to supporting people experiencing difficulty in their lives, but that’s the point of my client lead and person centered practice. I know the answers come from within and my job is to help my clients find their own. Their own solutions, understanding, meaning and their own voice.

With the year’s end fast approaching, I look back at the challenges and uncertainties with appreciation and gratitude. Nothing great ever comes easy and I hope to continue to grow and learn with each interaction and milestone.

If you want to be a part of this experience with me, either as a client or as a collaborator, please get in touch with me easily via my Contact page.

I look forward to hearing from you!