Therapists in Chicago, IL

Life is full of transitions and adjustments; in each of these, you deserve a safe and supportive space to talk about it in a relaxed, guided manner. I believe in the importance of language- how you talk to and about yourself and others- and in the power of stories that make life. I want to help you recognize which stories you wrote in alignment with your values and which were imposed on you by society, culture, and the people close to you. In therapy, I utilize evidence-based techniques while also recognizing that your mind is a vast universe to be approached from a philosophical and spiritual place.

With a cultural diverse background of her own,Marija holds a Master Degree in Counseling. She provides Immigration psychological evaluations, Counseling & Life Coaching services to children, adolescent & adult population in English, Macedonian, Serbian, Croatian, Bulgarian & Bosnian. Prior to moving to Chicago, Marija honored her skills at Lindenwood University & refined them in a research program at Washington Uni. School of Medicine, Psychiatry, under supervision of Dr. Ginger Nicol.She set those skills to trial, & enriched them while working with children and adolescents in a clinical setting with acute cases at CLSH.

It takes courage to try something new when the old ways of navigating emotional landscapes and important relationships fail us and keep us stuck. None of us goes through life unharmed, so naturally we develop self-protective patterns to cope with the pain. Together, in a safe, warm, and judgment-free space, let us explore and process the underlying sources of your troubling symptoms and unhelpful behaviors at a pace that feels right for you. By going deep we will ensure long-term results. As you come to understand how your innermost self has had to adapt to the environment, the new ways of relating to oneself and others will emerge.

If you feel unsuccessful, unproductive, unloved, overwhelmed by your own or other people expectations; stressed at work, home, or feel professionally and socially inadequate; or if you are going through sudden crises, trauma, loss, disruptive transitions such as job loss, divorce, and migration, then these problems could be addressed, transformed, and healed through counseling process. My extensive counseling experience has helped many clients to re-build their self-confidence, regain lost hope, and transcendent barriers. I am confident that together we can transform adversities into potentials and weaknesses into strengths.

ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS* Selecting the right therapist who has the clinical training and experience to help you can be confusing. If you struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, grief, or have difficulties managing stress, I am a seasoned therapist with over 15 years of experience who specialize in these issues. I also specialize in multicultural issues. My approach is tailored to your specific needs because I see the psychotherapy as an ongoing and collaborative process between two of us. I will teach you useful skills that will help you to deal with not only the current problems but also with future problems you might encounter.

We are all the sum of our parts, made up of all the little pieces we have collected from the world, from others, and from ourselves throughout our lives. And while we continually craft our ever-evolving lives, some of these pieces may not fit together the way they used to or the way we want them to. In these moments, it can be incredibly difficult to know where we want to go or how to get there. As a queer, trans non-binary, first-generation Macedonian-American, I firmly believe that showing up as your authentic self is an incredibly radical act that can enhance your capacity to learn, heal, love, and grow.

It takes a great deal of courage to share your experiences with someone, and I am honored to walk this journey with you! Together we can explore how current (and past) stressors and uncertainties may be impacting your lived experience. I aim to co-create an open and warm therapeutic space of collaboration where we can unfold your experiences and culture while strengthening insight, healthy coping skills, and self-compassion. In this process we can explore a holistic understanding of your self in the context of your relationships and the world. I offer easy-to-use, HIPAA-compliant TeleHealth/teletherapy services.