Hi, my name is Ljudmila (she/her/hers) and I’m a queer, cis woman born in the former Yugoslavia and raised on the unceded and stolen lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. As a counsellor, I have worked with people experiencing a number of issues, including violence, anxiety and depression, attachment issues, settlement and integration, and identity struggles. Most of my work has been in areas of sexuality, including working with queer and trans folks and with survivors of sexual violence. I have also done transformative justice work with survivors of sexualized violence, counselling around reproductive health (pregnancy loss and termination), and work with male survivors of sexual abuse.

Prior to becoming a counsellor, I spent over a decade working in various sectors, including anti-violence (including transition houses, shelters, and rape crisis centres), youth work (specifically with 2SLGBTQ+ youth), harm reduction and low barrier work in the Downtown Eastside, and work in the settlement sector with newcomers. In my spare time, I also do advocacy work and organizing around queer Balkan issues. For joy and rest, I enjoy baking, spending time in nature, reading, boxing, and building community.

• Trauma: A lot of my work focuses on survivors of sexualized and gender-based violence. I also work more expansively looking at reclamation of self and identity after trauma of displacement and/or collective and intergenerational trauma, as well as institutional trauma (such as religious trauma).

• Identity: I work with the complexities of identity, including sexual and gender identity, cultural, ethnic, and/or religious identity - particularly in working to create cohesive identity when facets of identity may feel at odds or identity may feel fragmented (e.g. the intersection of sexuality and religion or culture). I am also passionate about supporting the unlearning of harmful aspects of masculinity.

• Relationships: I work with navigating monogamous and non-monogamous relationship structures, including exploring non-monogamous identities. I also work with boundaries, attachment and relationship patterns, be that with family of origin, intimate relationships, friendships, or relationship to self.

• Registered Clinical Counsellor (#18888), BC Association of Clinical Counsellors

• Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Simon Fraser University

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality, & Women's Studies, Simon Fraser University

• San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Online Training, Core Mental Health

• Indigenous Gender Diversity: Creating Culturally Relevant and Gender-Affirming services, Provincial Health Services Authority

• Intensive Sex Therapy Program, University of Guelph

• Exploring BDSM & Kink as a Healing Practice for Trauma Survivors, Modern Sex Therapy Institute

• Reclaiming Pleasure Workshop with Kai Cheng Thom, Embody Lab

• Integrative Trauma Treatment Masterclass, Janina Fisher

• 5 Day Narrative Therapy Practice Training, Vancouver School of Narrative Therapy

• Introduction to EFT with Couples, VCFI

• Male Survivors: Preparing The Way For Meaningful Intervention, BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

• Telepsychology Best Practices 101: Clinical Evaluation and Care – Cultural Competencies, American Psychological Association

• Compassionate Inquiry Masterclass, Gabor Mate

• Centered Accountability: A Guide Through the Body, Accountability Mapping

• Understanding And Treating Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma, Zur Institute

• EMDR Virtual 5-Day Intensive - EMDR Consulting

• IFS Training, Dave Phillips

• Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate, Embody Lab (in progress)

• Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1) - Gottman Institute (in progress)

• Associate Consellor, Collective Healing

• Counsellor, BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse

• Counsellor, CARE Program, BC Women’s Hospital

• Transformative Justice Counsellor, WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre

• Post Graduate Fellow, Allura Sex Therapy Centre

• Hospital Accompaniment Worker, WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre

• Support Worker, Atira Women’s Resource Society

• Housing Worker - 2SLGBTQ+ Youth, Pacific Community Resources Society

• Youth Worker, Broadway Youth Resource Centre

• Transition Worker, Helping Spirit Lodge Society