Informed Consent for Psychotherapy and Coaching
with Olga Zotova
Before we begin working together, I would like you to feel informed, clear, and safe. This page explains how I work, my professional background and ethics, confidentiality, payment, cancellation terms, and what you can expect from our process together.
About Me
My name is Olga Zotova. I work from a solution-focused perspective, which means I pay attention to a client’s strengths, resources, and possibilities for movement. Rather than focusing primarily on analyzing the problem and its causes, I support clients in finding possible solutions, reconnecting with what matters to them, and moving toward their preferred story.
What inspires me in this work is the opportunity to help a person understand themselves more deeply, recognize what may be blocking them, and create new ways forward in a direction that feels meaningful and aligned.
Education and Professional Background
I graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in Sociology and worked in business before transitioning into psychology. I then completed secondary professional training in clinical psychology, dance movement therapy, trauma therapy, and related areas, and I continue to expand my expertise through ongoing education and supervision.
You can find more detailed information about my education, qualifications, and professional experience, including diplomas and certificates, on my website: olgazotova.com/about
My work integrates solution-focused coaching, narrative therapy, embodiment practices, and EMDR. I am a member of the EMDR Association in Russia, hold a European certificate as an EMDR practitioner and supervisor received in 2023, and I am also a member of the Association of Solution-Focused Therapists and Practitioners. These professional communities support high ethical and professional standards in therapeutic practice.
How I Work
I work integratively, which means I choose methods based on your goals, preferences, and the nature of your request. For coaching, personal development, and learning new skills, I use narrative therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and embodiment-based work that includes body awareness and the mind-body connection.
For trauma, crisis situations, overwhelming emotional experiences, and old patterns that remain difficult to shift even when you understand them rationally, I use EMDR — Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. You are always welcome to ask me more about the methods I use and how I see the process of our work together.
I see therapy and coaching as a collaborative process. We regularly reflect together on where we are going, what is helping, and what may need to change. Your feedback is important to me, and if you notice that a particular method or technique does not feel right for you, I invite you to tell me directly.
Therapy and Coaching Process
At the beginning of our work, we will define the goals you want to move toward together. These goals may evolve over time, and we can return to them throughout the process as your needs, priorities, or understanding change.
I use methods that are consistent with the approach I practice, and I discuss them with you as we work. Therapy and coaching can support meaningful change in your emotional wellbeing, relationships, and quality of life, but they cannot guarantee changes in the behaviour of people who are not themselves participating in the process.
Scope of Practice
If I believe that your request would be better supported by another specialist, I may recommend a referral. This is part of working ethically and in the best interest of your
care.
I am not a psychiatrist and cannot provide psychiatric diagnoses or prescribe medication. If I believe it may be important for your wellbeing, I may recommend consulting a psychiatrist, neurologist, addiction specialist, general practitioner, or another psychologist with a more specific area of expertise, such as family therapy, child therapy, sexology, eating disorders, or business consulting.
Session Format
Sessions are 60 minutes long and take place online. By prior agreement, we may use Google Meet or Zoom, and I send the session link shortly before the meeting begins.
The recommended frequency is once a week, although this may change by mutual agreement depending on your goals and the stage of the work. The number of sessions is also discussed together and depends on your needs, pace, and the direction of the process.
Fees and Payment
Sessions are paid in advance. If I work with a minor, payment is made by the client’s legal guardian. The session fee is discussed individually and confirmed in writing.
Payment is made by bank transfer using the details I provide.
Rescheduling and Cancellation
I understand that plans can sometimes change unexpectedly. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please let me know as early as possible using any of the contact methods listed below.
If a session is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance, 50% of the session fee is charged. If a session is missed without notice, 100% of the session fee is charged. If I need to cancel a scheduled session, I will offer another time that we agree on together.
Communication Between Sessions
Between sessions, you are welcome to contact me by email or messenger regarding thoughts, changes, or circumstances connected to the work we are doing. We can then return to this during the next session.
At times, I may suggest reflection questions or home exercises/practices. These are intended to support self-observation, awareness, and behavioural experimentation beyond the session itself, and we always agree together on whether they are useful and appropriate.
Ending Our Work
You can end therapy or coaching at any time by telling me during a session or by contacting me directly. On my side, especially in longer-term work, I may suggest one or several closing sessions to help bring the process to a thoughtful and gentle completion.
I may also contact you within one year after the end of our work to ask about changes and how you are doing. If after some time you would like to return and begin a new phase of work, you are welcome to contact me again.
Confidentiality
What you share with me is confidential. I may keep written session notes to support the quality of my work, track progress, and record key themes, but these notes do not include personal identifying information and are accessible only to me.
If we happen to meet outside of sessions, I will not acknowledge our therapeutic or coaching relationship unless you choose to do so first. You are free to share or not share information about our work with others as you see fit.
There are a few exceptions to confidentiality required by the laws of the Russian Federation. These include situations involving a high risk of suicide, violence toward minors, or actions that may cause serious harm to the life or health of another person.
With your consent, I may bring aspects of our work to supervision or peer consultation in order to support the quality of my practice. In such cases, no personal data is shared, and any identifying details are removed. If I ever need to make an audio or video recording of a session for supervision purposes, I will ask for your explicit permission in advance, and you always have the right to decline.
Ethics
I follow the ethical code of the EMDR Association in Russia, available here. According to this code, entering into relationships other than the therapeutic one in personal, professional, or informal contexts is considered an ethical violation, and this boundary remains important for three years after the therapeutic relationship ends. If you believe that I have acted unethically, you may discuss this with me directly or file a complaint with the EMDR Association in Russia.
Contact
Telegram: olga_zotova
WhatsApp: +79037729624
E-mail: zotova@gmail.com
If you have questions about this informed consent, or about whether working with me is the right fit, I will be glad to discuss them with you.
