Desanka Desa Ogrizovic
Ms Desanka Ogrizovic
Phone
0431150251
Mobile
0431150251
Email
[email protected]
Website
www.desaholisticwellbeing.com.au

Professional Profile

Qualification(s)
Bachelor in Counselling
Languages
Bosnian,Croatian,Serbian
Registration Number
28657
Registration category
Clinical
Additional PACFA credentials

College of Counselling
Offers telehealth
Yes

* Certified Practicing PACFA members have studied at AQF Level 7 (Bachelor degree) or above, with a minimum of 400 hours instruction in counselling or psychotherapy subjects, plus have a minimum of 40 hours client contact, and 10 hours of supervision.

Clinical PACFA members have met the education standards above and have accrued a minimum of 750 client contact hours, including 75 hours of supervision.

About me

My practice
I am a Clinical Counsellor working within a multidisciplinary healthcare setting, providing psychological and emotional support to individuals undergoing bariatric and metabolic surgery. I work closely alongside Dr Mo Atalla, consultant bariatric surgeon, as part of the Better Life Surgery team, delivering integrated pre- and post-surgical counselling to support long-term behavioural, emotional, and lifestyle change.

My role as a Bariatric Support Practitioner Counsellor focuses on addressing the psychological, emotional, and behavioural factors associated with obesity, disordered eating, body image, identity, self-esteem, and adjustment to life before and after surgery. I support clients through evidence-informed counselling interventions that enhance insight, emotional regulation, coping skills, and sustainable habit change, recognising the complex interaction between mental health, stress, trauma, and physical wellbeing.

I also practice through Desa Holistic Wellbeing (www.desaholisticwellbeing.com.au
), where I provide counselling grounded in a holistic, client-centred, and trauma-informed framework. My work emphasises ethical practice, reflective engagement, and collaborative care, ensuring psychological support is aligned with each client’s medical, emotional, and social needs.

Working alongside medical professionals allows me to contribute to comprehensive, ethical, and integrated care, supporting clients to improve quality of life, psychological wellbeing, and long-term outcomes following bariatric intervention.
Practice opening hours
Saturdays only by appointment
Issues I can help with
Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Careers counselling, Childhood or adolescent issues, Chronic pain or illness, Communication issues, Cultural issues, Depression, Eating disorders, Existential or spiritual issues, Family or parenting, Grief and loss, Life transitions, Low self-esteem, Mental health issues, Migrant issues, Postnatal depression, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Relationship issues, Social skills, Stress, Trauma recovery
Type of therapy offered
Brief therapy, Cognitive therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness-based therapies, Motivational interviewing, Narrative therapy, Person-centred counselling, Psycho-education, Solution-focussed therapy, Somatic psychotherapy

Practice addresses

Practice NamePractice AddressSuburbStatePostcode
Desa holistic wellbeing for womenonline/telehealthSydenhamVIC3027