Our Vision

Sofia is a licensed clinical psychologist and holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Right after finishing her Master’s degree at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt, Germany, she started practicing in the Department of Psychiatry at the University Hospital Frankfurt working with adolescents. Additionally, she conducted research projects on emotion processing as part of her PhD thesis. Her clinical training focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in the treatment of children, youth and parents suffering from a range of different psychological disorders in public and private settings. In addition, she taught seminars in social and clinical psychology at the Goethe-University in Frankfurt. After relocating to Israel, she started working as a clinical psychologist at Cognetica Center, one of Israel’s leading CBT centers as well as in private practice in the heart of Tel Aviv. In recent years she has focused her practice on working with patients of all ages and a wide range of mental health problems using CBT, Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Michaela is a Clinical Psychologist, trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy during her Masters at Leiden University, in the Netherlands. She is also a graduate of the TLC foundation Professional Training Institute (BFRB.org). Her work interest and experience is placed on Attachment Disorders, Psychosomatic Complaints and research, while treating addiction, Eating Disorders, Depression and anxiety-stress related complaints. Her keen interest in psychotic episodes and schizophrenia led to a collaboration with the Hearing Voices Network, for the sensitization of mental health professionals, patients and their families. Michaela is also working as a Life Coach, providing seminars on acculturation and life skills to expatriates in The Netherlands, as well as training Psychology students Personality Theories and communication skills in Leiden University. Trichotillomania and skin picking is a recent focus of hers, on consideration of body focused repetitive behaviours throughout years of experience. Michaela is part of our counseling team.

Vedrana is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. She graduated from University of Novi Sad, Department of Psychology and is trained in Transactional-assimilative approach to psychotherapy and Sociopsychodrama. She is most interested in identity development and identity integration and qualitative research in psychology. She has experience in working with adolescents and their parents, especially concerning themes like sexual orientation and gender identity. In her clinical practice, she is dominantly working with personality disorder and suicidality, as well as with non-suicidal self-harming behaviors. She believes that psychotherapy is based on relationship between client and therapist, and that every challenge and problem client have, is a result of an adaptation to one’s developmental context. Therefore, understanding one’s life story and engaging in understanding and recreating developmental history, is a path to learning new coping strategies and making new, healthier, decisions.

My name is Daiana, I am a wife, a mother, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. I have a MSc degree in clinical psychology and counseling from the West University of Timisoara. I have been trained in CBT and EMDR Therapy and have almost 10 years of experience in working with children, adolescents and adults. My clinical journey started with autistic children and their families. Since then, I have helped people with anxiety related disorders, depression, impulse control disorders, PTSD and parenting difficulties.

I am Ivana Savić, psychologist and psychotherapist. I have been actively working as a therapist for many years now, helping individuals and families to deal with various clinical issues, including body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), depression, grief and trauma. I graduated from the University of Belgrade and I was also trained as a systemic and family psychotherapist. Apart from working as a therapist, I’ve been supporting vulnerable groups in the society by being a part of non profit organizations that are promoting importance of mental health among youth

With over 25 years of clinical practice, Dawn brings experience, education and a passion for educating others about mental health issues to her writing. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling, a Doctorate in Psychology and is a Board-Certified Telemental Health Provider. Practicing as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dawn worked with teens and adults, specializing in anxiety disorders, work-life issues, and family therapy. Living in Hurricane Alley, she also has a special interest and training in disaster and critical incident response. She now writes full-time, exclusively in the mental health area, and provides consulting services for other mental health professionals. When she’s not working, you’ll find her in the gym or walking her Black Lab, Riley.

Katerina Nikolakopoulou, is a licensed clinical psychologist with a BSc degree in Psychology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a MSc in Cognitive Neuropsychology from the Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam. She started running her own practice in Amsterdam in 2016 and moved her practice to Athens in 2020. Since 2018 she continued working on her education following a 4-year training to become a systemic psychotherapist. In her practice she has dealt with a variety of psychological disturbances like sleep related disorders, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, obsessive and compulsive disturbances, and frustration because of relational problems. Amongst other positions she has worked as a research assistant for cognitive neuropsychological research at VU university of Amsterdam, as a sleep counselor at the Slotervaart Hospital of Amsterdam, and as an instructor at the Webster Campus in Leiden, where she taught undergraduate psychology students. She has also followed educational trainings related to sleep disorders and trauma therapy, completed a mindfulness training and has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia. She is passionate about the complex emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects of how psychotherapy works and believes that everyone is able to deal with their psychological problems when they have the proper tools and knowledge.

Laura Santner is a Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Poetry Therapist specializing in the treatment of Anxiety and Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors. She received her training at New York University and the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy. Laura Santner is a graduate from the Trichotillomania Learning Center's (TLC) Professional Training Institute and participated in TLC’s Early Clinician Award Program. Ms. Santner has been a practicing clinician since 2006 working in New York with the severely and persistently mentally ill population (including Major Depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia, and Borderline Personality). She has facilitated workshops and lectures to students, teachers, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. She has a published chapbook of poetry called “The Earth and I, Nature Healing Poetry” and is a co-author to a chapter on Group Poetry and Writing Therapy with Adolescents in “Creative Arts-Based Group Therapy with Adolescents Theory and Practice, 1st Edition” Laura Santner is also co-author to a published research study “Linguistic Dimensions of Psychopathology: A Quantitative Analysis” in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. Laura Santner has published several articles with the TLC Foundation, reviewed articles for Insider.com, and has been interviewed for Self.com. Laura Santner is also the seller and creator of the BFRB tool “Sensory Strands.” She currently serves on the board for the National Association for Poetry Therapy and National Coalition of the Creative Art Therapies. She offers psychotherapy, poetry therapy, and supervision in the state of New York.

Maya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Reichman University in Israel and a Bachelor of Math from the University of Waterloo in Canada. Maya works with clients using psychodynamic approaches as well as various CBT interventions including ACT. Maya’s research focuses on OCD, specifically Relationship OCD, as well as transdiagnostic CBT protocols.

Meryl is a Mindfulness & Positive Psychology Specialist Wellness Counsellor and Marketing & Communications Specialist. Having over 20 years of experience in counseling, marketing and communications, media relations, and training within the mental health, physical health, and well-being industry. Meryl is overseeing customer relations and community management.

Aylen is a clinical psychologist with a decade of experience in both clinical and organizational settings. She holds a masters degree in psychology from The National University of Córdoba, Argentina. Further, she is also an ICF-certified coach and mindfulness consultant while specializing in treating anxiety, depression, and issues related to violence. With a solid foundation in compassion therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and mindfulness practices, she skillfully integrates these approaches to support and empower individuals in their personal and professional development.

Lindsay is a clinical social worker who earned her masters degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.  Beginning as a youth camp counselor, her direct services experience now spans 13 organizations over 15 years. She has nine years of experience as a licensed social worker, and approximately seven as a clinical therapist for adults ages 18 and up. In addition to working as a psychotherapist, she has worked in some of the harshest social institutions and precarious settings representing the most marginalized populations.  Her approach is strength-based and trauma informed.

Tasneem graduated from the University of Cape Town, South Africa in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy. She is also a graduate of the TLC foundation Professional Training Institute (BFRB.org). Her experience in mental health includes working at Lentegeur Psychiatric hospital forensic unit (South Africa), Kingston Community Adult Learning Disability team (UK), Clinical Specialist for the Oasis Project Spelthorne Community Mental Health team (UK), and currently she is a guest lecturer and clinical supervisor at Tara Psychiatric Hospital to 3rd year occupational therapy students from Wits University in Johannesburg. In addition to her Honours degree, Tasneem has also extended her knowledge in mental health through completion of Masters modules and other short courses, such the Christine Padesky’s Cognitive Behavioural Workshop “Building Strengths and Resilience”. It was in her role as Clinical Specialist at the Oasis project that her interest and skill in CBT flourished as this was the key framework employed to address the intense difficulties faced by a client base of people with predominantly Borderline Personality Disorder. Tasneem is passionate about mental health and the rights of people with disabilities in general. Tasneem is part of our counseling team. She also writes for our blog.

Ana is a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychotherapist. She holds M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology with a background in mentalization and attachment theory. She is trained in in Personal Construct Psychotherapy within Serbian Constructivist Association in Belgrade, Serbia. Her personal interest in mindfulness practices along with a mindfulness training she completed within Association for Mental Health Promotion led to incorporating practices such as meditation and breathing exercises in her therapy work. She is currently in the training of TLC foundation Professional Training Institute (BFRB.org). Ana has extensive experience in both face to face and online psychotherapy and coaching with clients worldwide. Throughout her career so far she has provided support to different vulnerable groups (immigrants, people suffering from psychotic disorders, LGBT population). Her main interests include psychosomatic complaints, BFRB, anxiety related complaints, expatriate psychotherapy, attachment theory and mindfulness. Ana’s core belief is that every symptom emerges from one’s experience and as such it has meaning. Therefore, exploring the symptoms and uncovering their meaning for a person would be the first step in developing better coping strategies.

Vladimir is a psychotherapist and mindfulness instructor. He graduated from University of Belgrade's School of Medicine and trained in psychotherapy at the Serbian Constructivist Association where he taught constructivist psychology for several years, eventually becoming their consultant for borderline and psychotic states. In 2015 he edited the Handbook of LGBT Psychotherapy, the first gay-affirmative psychotherapy textbook in Serbia. He is currently working as a psychotherapist and teaches mindfulness to individual practitioners, groups and mental health professionals at the Association for Mental Health Promotion in Belgrade. In recent years he has focused his practice on online psychotherapy and coaching. He works with a wide variety of mental health problems, ranging from anxiety, depression, OCD and BFRBs to borderline and other personality disorders.

Education, experience, and compassion for people informs Trudi's research and writing about mental health. She holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Addictions and Mental Health from Marquette University, with Bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Before committing to full time research and writing, she practiced as a Licensed Professional Counselor providing therapy to people who struggled with addictions, mental health problems, and trauma recovery in community health settings and private practice.

Dr. Arthur S. Trotzky (Ph.D.), is an internationally known treatment specialist, well known for his work in addictions. Dr. Trotzky transitioned exclusively to Internet therapy after a successful and prestigious career. Dr. Trotzky was therapist and case manager in the Recovering Professionals Program at Ridgeview Institute in Smyrna, Georgia. Prior to his work at Ridgeview Institute, Dr. Trotzky was a senior staff therapist for a Child and Family Clinic for 27 years and Clinical Director of a first of a kind twelve-step rehabilitation center. Dr. Trotzky is an advisor to SkinPick, and a provider in our online counseling service.

LaVerne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker/Therapist with many years of experience working with families and children, individuals and groups. Born and raised in New Jersey, she completed her MSW degree at Rutgers University and one of the first to become licensed as a NJ Clinical Social Worker in 1986. She earned a second masters level degree in 2000 as an Educational Specialist (Ed. S.) in Psychology at Rider University. She worked as a school psychologist and as a licensed clinical social work in both the public and private practice domains. For six years she also taught as an adjunct professor at Fordham University in New York for students pursuing an MSW degree. She is an ongoing member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and now is a full-time private therapist in Florida.

LaVerne takes a humanistic approach with clients, having high regard and belief that they have the inner resources to create the change they desire. She has been committed to helping others resolve issues that undermine self-esteem, overcome detrimental habits and addictions as well as releasing negative patterns of thinking and behaving that hold one back from growth and prosperity.

Dr. Rafael got her doctorate degree in clinical psychology in 2017, and has worked in private practice ever since. She studied in Chicago, trained with medical and psychology researchers from Boston to Los Angeles, and is now based in Lisbon, Portugal. Most of her clinical experience is based on trauma related disorders and underlying anxiety problems. Through a relational approach, Dr. Rafael relies on empirical based knowledge and strategies in therapy while focusing on building a strong therapeutic alliance with her clients.

Dr. R. Y. Langham holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Fisk University, a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (M.M.F.T.) in Marriage and Family Therapy from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a Ph.D. in Family Psychology from Capella University. She is currently a family psychologist, medical, health & wellness contributor, copywriter, researcher and psychological consultant. Dr. R. Y. Langham has over a decade of experience writing, and editing medical, health & wellness, dating, marriage, love, and psychological articles for a variety of popular magazines, newspapers, companies, and websites. Dr. Langham currently writes for our blog.

I studied Psychology at University of Costa Rica and worked at the outpatient division of the Children's National Hospital, as well with survivors to childhood cancer and their families. At Cornell I studied the processes of transmission from parental to non-parental roles in late adolescence with Urie Bronfenbrenner at the Human Development and Family Studies Department. Interested in Field Work and diversity across cultures I went on to study Cultural Anthropology at the New School for Social Research in New York.

In Costa Rica I divide my time between legal and clinical work in psychology. Experienced in a broad range of physical and mental health disorders, my practice encompasses anxiety and depressive disorders, including those pertaining to recent loss, appetite, body image, and the various developmental crises —adolescent, early adulthood, middle life and mature age. Lately I am been heavily engaged in digital health in the workplace.

At Helping Minds, I very much enjoy my participation in Support Groups for the TrichStop and SkinPick Member and non-Member communities.