My Story

Thank you for visiting my website and for choosing to learn a little bit about me and my work. I was born and raised in Serbia and moved to New York with my parents at the age of 15. Although I was passionate about writing and acting since I was a child, after a semester of studying Theater and Communications at LaGuardia Community College, I changed my major to Psychology; with it, I changed my life. Always curious about secrets of human mind, I embarked on a journey to learn more about mysteries of behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and decisions we make in our daily lives, and their relationships to our past experiences. 
I began my journey at Laguardia Community College where I completed an Associate's degree in Psychology. I continued to learn and grow at the New York University where I continued to pursue my Bachelor's degree in Applied Psychology, but decided to embed my love for writing in my studies, and take a minor in Creative Writing, which enabled me to become a part of the Writers in New York writing intensive summer program. 

Upon completion of the Bachelor's studies, along with internships at The Village Care of NYC - The Rivington House, where I gained experience in work with HIV/AIDS positive population, as well as at The Door, where my focus was on youth between ages of 13-24 to whom the organization provided a vast array of services, I was accepted to Baruch College where I graduated with a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. 

During Master's program, I completed my 3 semesters-long internship at LaGuardia Community College's Office for Students with Disabilities, where I conducted individual sessions, planned and taught workshops on Study Skills and Time Management, and lead a group focusing on Trauma. 
Upon completing Master's program, and while working towards my licensure, I had the opportunity to work in private clinics and a non-profit organization, Bleuler Psychotherapy Center. 

Variety of settings in which I worked allowed me to gain experience and learn about working with individuals, couples, families, groups and children, which I continue to do in my private practice. One of my greatest passions is working with anxiety disorders; in addition to my licensure as a psychotherapist, I have obtained the certification as Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP) and published a book entitled "Anxiety Free" in English and Serbian languages. Following the book, "Anxiety Free App" is now available in the App Store, and it is meant to help you cope with anxiety, panic attacks, as well as time and stress management. 

Along with practicing psychotherapy in my daily work life, I continue to write fictional stories and psychology articles, record podcasts and brainstorm ideas to spread mental health awareness through writing, workshops and education at conferences and seminars. I have completed the necessary training and became Certified Telemental Health Provider, to accommodate clients who are unable to meet in person and help them receive adequate care. I am fluent in Serbian and other former Yugoslavian languages. Currently, I serve Chair of Professional Development at the Metro Chapter of the New York Mental Health Counseling Association (NYMHCA).