Darja Milidragovic, B.A.,
(She/Her)
Expressive Arts Therapist, Masters of Counselling student (City University)
Practicum Student - Reduced Rate Sessions
Hi! My name is Darja (Dar-ee-ya) and I am passionate about working alongside people of all ages to create a therapeutic space where you can feel seen, heard, and safe enough to explore your challenges and re-discover your strengths and resilience. In sessions, I strive to adopt an shame-free, non-judgemental and curious approach to connect with you so you can begin to experience yourself with more honesty, compassion, understanding, and grace, and expand the possibilities of who you can be and what you can do.
My Approach
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My counselling style is also informed by my experience as a certified Expressive Arts Therapist working with clients of all ages. Expressive arts therapy uses all of the arts (e.g. drawing, painting, photography, creative writing, movement and dance, music and sound, drama, etc.) to explore, witness, and understand our feelings, thoughts and behaviors and facilitate expression, growth and transformation. Regardless of age, when we connect to our imagination and innate desire to play and create, we begin to see more possibilities for ourselves, our relationships, and our lives. I truly believe that change doesn't have to be all about growing pains. It can be fun, playful, inspiring, and interesting too, and it adds a little more soul and magic to a life inevitably filled with both ups and downs, victories, and challenges, for all of us. Using the arts can always be an invitation and option in our work together if you like.
Counselling and expressive arts therapy light me up! Some other things that make me light up are teaching, writing songs and poetry, listening to world music, dancing, making art without rules and expectations, “coincidences”, the sea, the moon, and connecting with others on a deep and genuine level.
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My journey to counselling was inspired by my own life experiences, including fleeing war with my family as a young child, experiencing the challenges of being an immigrant, and facing multiple deep losses. I extend my heartfelt gratitude for being able to live, heal, learn, work and connect with others on the ancestral and unceded territories of the Kwiketlam, Musqueam, Squamish, Stol:lo, and Tseil-Waututh Nations.
