About Me

I grew up in Bosnia and Herzegovina and immigrated to North America as a young child during the Yugoslav Wars in the 90s.  I have lived in various locations, including Bosnia, Saskatchewan, Ohio, North Carolina, and Spain.  I attended Wake Forest University for undergraduate studies in Psychology and Spanish.  After my undergraduate years, I pursued graduate studies at the University of Denver, where I obtained a Master’s in Social Work degree.  During graduate school, I was fortunate to have valuable clinical internships, one with Kaiser Behavior Health, which eventually led me back to Kaiser.  I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who provides services in the three languages I am fluent in.  I enjoy meeting new people and helping my patients find their strengths to help them effectively deal with life’s challenges.

 

About my practice

 

A Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) is a licensed mental health provider who works alongside primary care physicians within the medical office to support your overall health and well being. This integrated care model allows primary care and behavioral health providers to collaborate closely as a team to meet your needs.  If specialty care is needed, your BHC or primary care physician will talk with you about your options and help connect you to the services that best fit your situation. In general, BHCs can screen for mental health and substance use concerns and offer short term visits focused on reducing distressing symptoms and improving daily functioning.  BHCs also play an important role in coordinating care, helping ensure that your primary care team and any specialty providers are working together seamlessly. In many cases, only a few visits are needed; however, if longer term care is appropriate, a BHC can help connect you with the right specialist.

 

How I thrive

 

In my free time, I enjoy nurturing relationships with family and friends. My children bring me so much joy. I also love to get outside to hike, run, bike, and ski. My favorite activity is traveling to places new and old and immersing myself in different cultures, which helps me learn more about the world around me.