Welcome to my digital temple.
A temple of belonging.
Home to a body of work and offerings that transmit the depth and sincerity of my dedication to the path of wholeness, where embodied belonging is possible for you, too. Where I am grateful to share the wisdom I received from my own healing and spiritual journey together with an integrative body-centred method of cutting edge trauma therapies, ancient eastern spiritual practices and nature as mentor
I want to help you uncover and live from your own wholeness and from the “delightful integration of autonomy & connection.”
The “why” behind who I am and what I ‘do’
I grew up in a traditionally Catholic household with dependable, generous, hard working Croatian parents. We immigrated from Former Yugoslavia to a small town in Northern British Columbia when I had just started taking my first steps.
With early signs of my spiritual sensitivity, depth and insight — grew an unending curiosity about human complexity along with an extraordinary empathy for others who also suffered with wounds of unworthiness. Decades later, I found myself approaching 40 and going through a divorce that broke me open to all that hid in the shadows of my dissociated body. The trajectory of how I processed the end of that relationship was profoundly altered when I heard the quote written by sufi poet, Hazrat Inayat Khan:
“God breaks the heart again and again and again, until it stays open.”
And so began, a personal deep dive into understanding the science of healing relational trauma and how it coincides with the process of self-realization — a maturation process of psychological development, which fosters a secure and embodied, conscious Self.
I learned from leaders in the field of trauma therapy like Gabor Mate, Peter Levine, Laurence Heller and Richard Schwartz together with pioneers in embodied spirituality who integrate the science of psychology with eastern philosophy and practices, like Matt Licata, Judith Blackstone and Tara Brach; Zen monk, Thich Nhat Hanh; and other formidable Buddhist teachers like Pema Chödrön and Ram Dass. I found mentors and therapists who helped me disentangle from conditioned patterns of relating, healing my nervous system, releasing constrictions of shame and fear in my body and I began to uncover the deepest dimension of my being — wholeness.
This body-centred wholistic approach became the framework for the work that I do today to help others heal relational trauma, find self-belonging and cultivate conscious, embodied relationships.
Official Bio
With over 20 years of experience offering relational, somatic, spiritual and eco therapy, Marijana is passionate about supporting her clients with an integrated approach to heal relational trauma, embody true belonging and cultivate conscious relationships. Marijana has received advanced training in individual and group EMDR therapy, Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, Integrative Somatic Therapy, Compassionate Inquiry, Nature-Based Therapy and is a fully certified Teacher in The Realization Process (an 18 month training that includes three components: Healing Ground, Meditation and Embodiment). Marijana has been a student in the 3-year Advanced Realization Process Mentorship program with senior RP teacher, Roma Hammel, completing level I, II & currently enrolled in level III. She interweaves all of the above cutting edge trauma-informed modalities with the Realization Process to gently but powerfully heal human suffering caused by the disconnect from one’s true nature and capacity to love and be loved. She offers 1:1 therapy, embodied realization mentorship, classes and workshops online and in-person. Marijana resides in the lower mainland of Vancouver, British Columbia with her two teen children and Bernedoodle — co-creating a heart-centred, purposeful, resilient and vibrant life.
These are the values that inform my work…
Connection
Trustworthy Power
Embodiment
Wholeness
Compassion
Courage
Safety
Sovereignty
Equity
Devotion
Integrity
Curiosity
Connection Trustworthy Power Embodiment Wholeness Compassion Courage Safety Sovereignty Equity Devotion Integrity Curiosity
QUALIFICATIONS
As a first generation European immigrant, first to attain graduate-level education in my family lineage I am proud of this achievement. However, I am so deeply proud of, and grateful for, the education I have received from elders along the way that have supported my healing, self-realization and becoming so that I can offer my skills as a therapist and mentor with integrity. Working with them has altered how I work profoundly.
And so with eternal gratitude, I thank these integrous elders who have carried me on their shoulders:
Awilda Verdejo, Bill Klum, Jon Hansen, Roma Hammel and Judith Blackstone.
Education
Bachelors of Arts with a major in Psychology and minor in English Literature (Simon Fraser University)
Masters of Arts: Marriage & Family Therapy tract (Antioch Seattle)
Advanced Trainings
The Realization Process (Certified in: Meditation, Embodiment & Spiritual Psychotherapy) - trained by founder, Dr. Judith Blackstone Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) - Level 1 & 2. EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP)
EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents (EMDR-PRECI) EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy Compassionate Inquiry year-long training with Gabor Mate. Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy
Emotion Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) Emotion Focused Individual Therapy (EFT)
Nature-Based Therapy Healing Shame (NICABM)
Teacher Certifications
Certified Realization Process Meditation Teacher
Certified Realization Process Embodiment Teacher
Certified Realization Process Healing Ground Teacher
Registrations
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (License #2316)
Member of the EMDR Canada