About Ivona
Why rainbows and clouds? Pink has always been my color — the shade through which I saw the world. There was only one brief period, in my thirteenth year, when I may have stepped back, but pink quickly returned. I have always looked at the world in two ways: either through the prism of all colors, where the emphasis falls on warmth and optimism, or through the clouds, where everything that could go wrong comes to the fore.
There were various periods in my life when clouds overshadowed everything else—periods when gray was all I could see. However, no matter how small, deep inside me, there was always hope - some small light suggesting that maybe tomorrow wouldn't be so bleak. That hope was not always loud or clearly visible; sometimes she hid as a barely noticeable reflection behind the clouds, but she was there, holding me tight through difficult moments.
Through years of studying human nature, suffering and the ways in which we struggle with life's challenges, I learned how to turn my clouds into rainbows, not forgetting that both are an integral part of the life's journey. Today, my goal is to help others find their rainbow in the clouds — to recognize the value of both aspects of life and understand how light can be born from darkness, and strength can be born from pain.
After graduating from college, I worked as a young psychologist for a year at Žitnjak elementary school in Zagreb. I did a lot of individual consultations, moderations, preventive workshops and programs, coordinated projects and research and conducted research on mental health, dealing with several crisis situations at the time (COVID-19, earthquakes,...). It was a very challenging experience I am grateful for.
Towards the end of working at the school, in October 2021, I started two psychotherapy courses: Compassion-based therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Compassion-focused therapy has irreversibly delighted me with its approach, theory and experiential workshops. Even today, it is my favorite approach to counseling.
A few months later, I enrolled in the first degree of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and started collaborating with a center in Zagreb on the implementation of workshops. Through my work in that center, I gained a lot of important experience in counseling work. The first stage of Cognitive-behavioral therapy flew by, bringing me some new knowledge and skills. Immediately after that, I enrolled in the second degree with the aim of further deepening my knowledge and developing my skills, which I am currently successfully completing. At the same time, I also became a volunteer of the Iskorak association, where I still provide psychological counseling services and occasionally hold a workshop.
In 2023, I started training in the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) approach, which has proven to be effective for working with trauma. I finished the first two degrees and so far I am delighted with the results of this approach in my work, and I continue to educate myself in advanced courses in this approach. At the first opportunity, I plan to enroll in a course on Transactional Analysis in order to further deepen my knowledge and skills in working with clients. Transactional analysis won me over and delighted me so much that in the middle of 2024 I decided to go for supervision in this direction, and with each supervision I am more and more impressed.
Among other educations, I attended CFT-E (Compassion Focused Therapy for Eating Disorders), CBT-E (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders), education for working with LGBTQI+ people from the association LORI, education for working with transgender and intersex people by the kolekTIRV association, as well as a series of one-day and multi-day educations and workshops on the topic of eating disorders, ADHD in adults, work with autistic and ADHD people, work with LGBTQI+ people, depression, anxiety, trauma, stress, crisis situations, self-harm , suicidality, complex PTSD, loneliness and many others.
In my free time, I enjoy music (Florence & the Machine, Nightwish, Franz Ferdinand, Placebo, Arctic Monkeys,...), fashion, television series and movies, and playing with my four cats and a dog, for which I invent several new nicknames every day. In good weather, I like trips to nature.
Subjects she works with
Of the many topics she had the opportunity to work with, Ivona gained the most experience in the following topics:
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ADHD
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Autism (with speaking individuals)
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Masking (autism and ADHD)
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Burnout and shutdown
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Complex PTSD
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LGBTQI+ counselling
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Self-criticism
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Challenges in romantic relationships
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Low self-esteem
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Eating disorders
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Professional and academic challenges
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Dealing with stress
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Trauma
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Gender dysphoria
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Body image
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Grief and loss
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...
Ivona's diplomas
By clicking on an individual diploma, you can check what Ivona has trained in to acquire the skills necessary for quality psychological counseling (and to obtain the status of a psychotherapist in supervision). Although her trainings are dominated by cognitive-behavioral therapy, EMDR therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and mindfulness, Ivona has also participated in numerous other trainings in order to be able to offer you the best possible service.
Ivona's pets
Ivona loves her pets, so she though it would be fair to devote some space to them, as well.
Ivona in the media
As an expert in the field of mental health and well-being, Ivona Hemen Erdeli has appeared in the following media outlets:
Ivona has also collaborated with various libraries and associations in and outside Zagreb, where she has given lectures on self-compassion, ADHD, and the relationship between LGBTQI+ identity and neurodivergence. Some of the lectures have already been delivered, while the rest will be delivered during 2025 - more information about future events can be found on our social networks and blog!
