Ms. Dana Mitrovic

A conversation with Dana Mitrovic

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I had always had a strong interest in understanding people. Not just from a perspective of what makes us struggle, but mostly to understand what makes us each unique. I found that developing my knowledge about the human mind, development and the way which our experiences shape us was immeasurably helpful in understanding myself and those around me.
  The relationship which you have in therapy is the most unique, which you will ever have the opportunity to develop. Every person has a path and a journey, and it is an absolute privilege to be allowed to walk beside so many people on their journeys of discovery, healing and growth.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  There are many philosophical approaches which have been inspirational in my professional and personal development. However, if I had to limit these, I would have to say, Psychodynamic, Existential and Buddhist Philosophies. I find that human pain, suffering and purpose are universal and, yet, also so personal and distinctive to each of us as individuals.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I'm fascinated by the entire human condition and the ways which we interact with our experiences. I am particularly interested in the impacts of trauma and also the concept of ongoing personal development in our wellbeing irrespective of "illness" or "struggle".

• What methods do you use?

  I work in a range of approaches which utilise a wide variety of methods. I always find this question difficult to answer as I don't see therapy as a "one size fits all" approach and the methods will range depending on the person who enters the room. The most important "method" for therapy is to be a caring human, who can genuinely connect with the people who walk into your room. The relationship developed between patient and therapist is the foundation for good therapy and the building blocks for meaningful change.
  You can review my profile for the therapeutic approaches which I work from.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  This question can be very difficult to answer, as it always depends on what someone is coming in with, but moreso, what the expectation is of what change "looks like". Most clients will experience some elements of change or progress once they connect and engage in the therapy process and begin to develop a sense of hope. This can be in as little as one session, though it will often be within the first 6 sessions.
  I usually find that those who are either skeptical of therapy itself, their own ability to improve, or are struggling in identifying what change would look like, have the greatest difficult to discern when progress is being made. This does not mean that progress is not being made, rather that it can be difficult to measure.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Therapy has made me a better person through teaching me how to openly observe to understand the people who I am with. I have learned to observe each person like a sunset, something spectacularly unique and ever changing, never to be repeated in the same way twice; rather than a maths problem to be analysed and solved.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I most cherish the process of getting to know people and learning about what has brought them to where they are and assisting them on their journey to where they would like to be.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Of course! I believe that 'bad hair' days are part of being human. There are days where we all feel lost, hopeless and generally just "not ourselves". I am thankful for these days as they teach me how to be patient, compassionate and understanding toward myself and my own experiences, as well as the challenges which come with functioning on a level different to what we may be used to.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  Time. One of the biggest contributors to human struggle is our inability to provide ourselves with enough time to care for ourselves and one another. The world, today, has seen a huge shift in life priorities, which are often quite discrepant to our personal values. This pressure often leads to the minimisation and neglect of providing intentional time toward looking after our own wellbeing, as well as our relationships with others.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  I am so often inspired by books in particular, that I would find it extremely difficult to pick just one. As a therapist, I find the writings of Irvin Yalom immeasurably helpful, refreshing and inspiring.