I believe in the power of genuine human connection, which is why I want to share parts of my story with you.

I'm a clinical psychologist, neuroscientist, and educator, and each role shapes how I support others. Whether I'm holding space in therapy sessions, mentoring future therapists, or breaking down the latest neuroscience research, I bring my whole self to this work (coffee cup usually in hand!).
 
Like many who have experienced trauma, my life has a clear before and after. Before the war, I was a carefree five-year-old growing up in a small Bosnian town. After, life became about survival, not standing out, rebuilding over and over, and eventually, growth. That experience shaped not just my personal life but my understanding of trauma and healing.
 
Trying to blend in while carrying invisible wounds shaped my teenage years (I mean, reaaaaaaallllllyyyyyyy shaped them!). I learned early that safety sometimes means making yourself smaller and quieter, lessons that took years to unlearn. At sixteen, I arrived in Australia and, like many migrant children, carried both my family’s immigrant dreams and our unspoken traumas as the eldest daughter. Survival, for me, meant adapting quickly, often at the cost of my own sense of self.

And, just to be clear, these weren't “just challenges” to overcome. They became the foundation of my understanding of the wide range of human experience, particularly the complexities of trauma, displacement, the impact and finding belonging in a new land. This now informs every aspect of my work. I very much understand the burden of cultural expectations, the exhaustion of code-switching between worlds, and that peculiar feeling of being both nowhere and everywhere at home.
 
Now, here is the plot twist. I was diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis after the birth of my son. While I wouldn't have chosen this particular "learning experience", it has shaped how I navigate chronic health challenges. Living with invisible illness has taught me about advocating for myself in medical systems, managing energy like it's a precious resource, and finding humour (sarcasm counts as humour, right?) even on the tough days. I share more about this in my upcoming book, stay tuned.
 
When I am not working, you'll find me in my happy place: camping by a river, where the only notifications are bird calls and the most urgent task is keeping the campfire alive. At home, my cat Simba rules (let's be honest, whose cat doesn't?), and I'm probably holding an almond milk latte like it's liquid gold because some stereotypes about psychologists and coffee are absolutely true!
 
The way I see it, my work is shaped by lived experience and professional expertise. I am the scientist who loves data, the immigrant who understands cultural complexity, the person who has navigated chronic illness, and the psychologist who knows therapy is powerful but so is a strong cup of coffee and connection with friends.
  
It's a unique mix, I know 😊

But hey, who said we had to fit into just one box?

You can follow my daily shenanigans and BTS (behind-the-scenes, if you're a millennial and had to google it like me 😊) on Instagram, where I share glimpses of both my professional world and personal adventures.
 

Thanks for reading this far 😊
I look forward to connecting and supporting you, wherever you are in your journey.
 

With Gratitude,
Selma

p.s. If this resonates, let’s talk. Book a session and let's get to work.