Marija Galebovic

LMHC

We have all seen those movies that portray psychotherapists as very cold, authoritarian, intense, constantly taking notes while remaining very formal, almost rigid. I, on the contrary, believe that therapy should be a positive experience, an environment full of kindness, empathy, collaboration, and active listening. That most reflects my style.

During the pandemic, unfortunately, several of my clients lost their health insurance. It was yet another heartbreaking reminder of how unaffordable access to healthcare can sometimes be. In order to alleviate the problem at that time, and assure that my clients could continue to have the therapy they needed, I offered my services for free to them. I am aware that me sometimes volunteering therapy hours cannot solve a much bigger, systemic issue of sometimes inaccessible and unaffordable healthcare, which I think to be the big barrier to seeking out care. However, if you are reading this and are concerned about affording therapy, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I would like to point out several components of a successful therapeutic relationship that I believe are the most important. First one is Trust, as a foundation for moving forward. Second is Mutual Respect that is crucial for optimal collaboration. Third is Judgement-free zone, since the presence of judgement could negatively affect both trust and respect, and impede any progress.