Therapeutic work is not merely a job for me, but a calling.
A therapy session implies an encounter between at least two people in two different roles - myself in the role of a therapist in contact with an individual, partners in a relationship or a group in the role of clients.
I don’t perceive people’s feelings, behaviours and choices as symptoms of illness and pathology, but as the speech of the soul that wants to be deciphered in contact. Walking together on the therapeutic map, the client/s and I are partners who work together to decipher the symbols on that map. I bring along my knowledge and experience, but we have to find the answers ourselves. What I think is the meaning of the symbols on the map may not mean anything to you. So I am more of a companion on the road than an undisputed authority who wants to take away your power and tell you what and how to do. I believe that this map contains the answers that will help you make more purposeful choices along your journey.
As a therapist, I am well informed about GSRD topics (Gender, Sex, Relationship Diversity) as well as about therapy with kinky people and their partners.
Gestalt therapy education entails thousands of hours of individual and group therapy, theory, various seminars, work with clients and supervision.
Supervision is mandatory during further work with clients and there are often other ways of self-support included, such as personal therapy.
What I love about the therapeutic work is the continuous personal work and learning.
I feel that my entire life experience flows into this type of work in sessions with my clients. I am open to what the therapeutic situation brings, always giving my best to be there for the client, couple, group, or students in the therapeutic situation.
I obtained my basic university education in the field of general linguistics (four-year diploma equivalent to a master’s degree) at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade. I still love general linguistics and I am in contact with it primarily through conversations with my friends who are still involved in it. Although my original plan was to pursue a PhD, I realized during college that I could not do anything purely intellectual that did not involve me as a whole being.
At that time, I meditated a lot and practised yoga and autogenic training, and after graduation, my interests led me to practice reiki and other meditative techniques.
At the moment when I realized that I needed something different, which would connect the Western intellectual narratives with what the intuitive Eastern narratives meant to me, I returned to Gestalt therapy, which I had prevoiusly known as a client and a reader of psychotherapy literature.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started the training, but my enthusiasm was sparked then and still continues.
However, my development does not stop there. Not only when it comes to Gestalt therapy, but also in studying of other disciplines, meditation and yoga. There are also conferences, education in other disciplines as well as Gestalt, and experiential groups, but the most of the growth came through the work.
I like hiking, walking, moving. I like when I can be silent with someone. I don’t like being in the spotlight, and I recharge my energy when I’m alone, listening to classical music or holding my husband’s hand. I love animals and trees, especially when they are in the forest and not alone. We planted four trees in our little garden last year and I can’t wait for them to branch out, grow leaves and make a shade for us for years to come. I admire human voices and choral music, which is also my most fulfilling hobby.
I am primarily a human being, and then all my other identities can come: husband, brother, son, uncle, cousin, friend, therapist, teacher, neighbour.
The time I can spend with those I love the most is the most precious to me, especially since I became aware of its finitude.
That’s why I like gestalt therapy, because for me it’s a therapy where human souls meet. Being in the presence of the experience of human suffering, pain, happiness, sadness, loss… makes me feel humbled and deeply grateful. I find personal meaning and fulfilment in that.
Accreditation
As an accredited Gestalt therapist, I am a member of the EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and the IAAGT (International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy).
I conduct my practice according to the highest ethical standards for the benefit of my clients.
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