Hi, I’m Maja
I have experience supporting people living with chronic illness (such as CFS and fibromyalgia), ADHD, depression, anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. I also work with those navigating feelings of disconnection, loneliness, or uncertainty, especially young and older adults who may be questioning their identity, career path, or the pace and pressure of life. Many of the people I work with describe feeling stuck, behind, or overwhelmed by the expectation to always be “fine” or have things figured out.
I have worked with individuals who have experienced psychosis or live with bipolar disorder and offer a steady, grounded approach to exploring those experiences in therapy.
I also provide affirming care for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, including support around gender identity, sexuality, and the emotional impact of navigating a world that can often feel unwelcoming.
To my work as a counsellor, I also bring the perspective of my own life as an immigrant from former Yugoslavia, a partner, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Time with my two dogs, being in nature, quiet spaces, and reading are some of the ways I nurture balance in my life.
My Approach
My approach to counselling is warm, collaborative, and grounded in curiosity and empathy. I’m guided by a genuine desire to support individuals as they navigate life’s challenges. I understand that having a name for what you're going through, like ADHD, PTSD, or anxiety, can bring clarity, validation, and even relief. At the same time, I believe there's always more to you than any one label or diagnosis can capture.
In therapy, we’ll make space to understand what you’re carrying, what matters to you, and how you’ve been surviving. We’ll look at how the expectations around you, whether from culture, family, or the systems we live in, may be shaping your self-worth, and gently explore new ways of relating to yourself and others. Therapy can be a space to pause, reflect, and find your way on your own terms.
My practice is trauma-informed, grounded in mindfulness, and guided by a justice-oriented perspective that considers the broader context of your lived experience. I value inclusivity, nonjudgment, understanding, and kindness in my work and welcome diverse clients of all cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. My goal is to empower individuals to achieve greater self-awareness, resilience, and fulfillment through personalized strategies and interventions.
Certification
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I come to counselling with a decade of experience in higher education, which continues to inform my thoughtful and relational approach. I support a wide range of learners and hold a deep respect for the diverse ways people process information, manage stress, and seek meaning. I built my therapeutic foundation through graduate studies at the City University of Seattle (Vancouver campus), where I earned a Master of Counselling. My training emphasized humanistic psychology, which sees the therapeutic relationship as central to healing and growth. This means my approach is client-centred and responsive to the unique needs of each person. In addition to my formal education, I spent seven years offering front-line emotional support through the Vancouver Crisis Centre, an experience that deeply shaped my understanding of crisis, resilience, and presence.
I’ve also completed further training in:
• Foundations I and II: Applied Skills of Narrative Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), Level 1
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I work with adults across the lifespan, from those navigating early adulthood to those in later stages of life. I especially enjoy working with people in their 20s and 30s, as well as older adults exploring change, grief, identity, or connection in new ways.
Some of the areas I support clients with include:
• Living with chronic illness (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia)
• Loneliness and adjustment after moving to a new city
• Identity exploration (including career, gender, and life direction)
• Relationship anxiety and attachment concerns
• ADHD (including support with executive function, overwhelm, and motivation)
• Navigating climate grief, capitalism fatigue, and existential unease
• Recovery after psychosis or bipolar episodes
• Trauma and the lingering effects of difficult past experiences
• Self-esteem, shame, and self-worth
• Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, including gender identity exploration and affirmation