Dear visitor, how are you?

How are you, truly?

Is there something going on?

Are you going through a new phase in life or are you simply finding it difficult to cope?

Sometimes life can be overwhelming and that's perfectly fine

It's okay not to be okay

You're not in this alone

Would you like to talk?

About Me

Hello there. I'm Lea. I'm a psychologist and systemic-family psychotherapist under supervision. I am what one calls a 'third-culture kid', having grown up away from my parents' culture, and to this day living away from that culture. While this can be very rewarding, I personally know how difficult it can be to uproot yourself and form a new life. Especially since life in itself can be quite difficult at times.

As I'm sure many would agree, home is a funny word. My life began in Belgrade in former Yugoslavia, and before I began school, continued in the United Arab Emirates. With university I moved to Prague in the Czech Republic, then to the Netherlands for my Master's, and finally back to Belgrade for my psychotherapy education. Since 2024, I'm back in Prague to be with my now-husband, after being together for nearly 10 years. In a sense, I've felt like an expat all my life, and I still do. I've had to rebuild my identity many times so I personally understand how tiring and difficult it can feel.

Growing up in the United Arab Emirates allowed me to experience many different cultures and witness various perspectives, as well as their meanings, especially in the systemic sense. It made me aware of how every individual's perspective is valid, even if I may have a different experience and a different cultural understanding. It helped open my mind to different beliefs and different understandings of the world. I believe that this is incredibly important in today's world.

When I moved back to Belgrade, after realizing that my career path was in psychotherapy, it was incredibly difficult. Many believed that I was home, but I did not feel like it was home, and they couldn't understand why. I had to put myself out there and build up a completely new life, in my so-called home country. Then came the decision to move back to Prague, so that I could finally live with my partner (we had been long-distance for years) and add onto my repertoire an interracial marriage with its own challenges but also delights, including a language barrier with the in-laws and having to learn about new traditions and perspectives.

Thanks to this and a natural curiosity, I never stop learning. And I always look forward to learning from my clients and hearing their stories, including their challenges, their achievements, but most of all what it is that makes them who they are. I love being invited into their homes (whatever their definition is) and into the lives, where together we can process events, laugh about the silly things, share in heartaches, and celebrate accomplishments.

My 'Co-Therapist'

A psychotherapy session with me means that you may have the pleasure of seeing/hearing my co-therapist. This is the beauty of working online.

She was born in Dubai but was taken into the coldness of Europe, first to Belgrade and then to Prague, so is an expat herself. She hasn't yet come to terms with the cold weather.

If you likewise have pets, and would like to share them, I would love to meet them!

Additionally, if you dislike/are afraid of cats, please let me know in advance so I can take precautions. I understand that not everyone is a cat or even animal lover and I respect that.

What is psychotherapy?

A structured conversation with a trained professional who creates a safe space for the client, psychotherapy can help in coping with many difficulties.

The usual reasons people go to psychotherapy are daily life challenges such as relationship problems, emotion regulation, lack of self-confidence, problems at school/work, as well as various mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. However, overall, psychotherapy is a client’s safe space to express themselves. Sessions differ but in general psychotherapy gives you the tools to help navigate the difficulties of life. These could be through offering new perspectives, challenging you in a supportive way, working with you on improving communication skills, helping you learn to establish boundaries, improving your self-awareness, teaching you new skills, or simply providing you a safe and secure space to talk for an hour.

It is based on what the client exactly needs.

Psychotherapy with me is currently only available online which means that you get to experience it from the comfort of your own home.

What is specifically family-systemic psychotherapy?

In general, think about any factor, that is anybody or anything, that has an impact on you and that you have an impact on. That is the systemic approach, put very simply. During psychotherapy, we don't look at just the individual (such as only their thoughts and feelings) but instead at the whole system and how this affects the individual, and vice versa. Specifically, focus is placed on understanding how relationships between individuals and their situations are interconnected.

About psychotherapy

A 30-minute consultation via video call is offered free of charge.

Individual

50 minutes

1000 CZK/40 EUR

Individual psychotherapy sessions are formed based on your specific needs and goals with your feedback always kept in mind. Generally, we will work collaboratively and form goals, as well as devise potential strategies, in order to aid you in overcoming any obstacles that may be difficult to overcome alone. In the systemic sense, we will 'bring' your family into the sessions via questions.

Couples

90 minutes

1200 CZK/50 EUR

The general focus in couples therapy is strengthening relationships through enhancing communication, improving understanding, and building trust. During these sessions, I provide a neutral and supportive environment for couples to address conflicts, improve intimacy, and foster a deeper connection. This can also include couples who are in a long-distance relationship.

The average amount of psychotherapy sessions depends on the client and their needs. Some seek psychotherapy for short-term goals while others need to delve deeper. Of course, frequency can be adjusted, depending on the client's needs.

Payment is made via bank transfer. It is paid either in advance before or right after the session. The services are not covered by health insurance. I understand that life can be full of unexpected surprises so please, if you have to cancel or reschedule, let me know with a minimum 24 hours in advance.

How do I prepare for my first session?

Considering the sessions are online, a good internet connection is a necessity! Otherwise, a comfortable and private space that I hope you can make into a safe space for yourself. And of course, your authenticity - however much you are willing to share.

The first session is where we simply learn about each other and discuss our goals. My main focus during this session is to make sure you feel as secure as possible.

Through what application?

I am incredibly flexible and it is based on the client's previous experience and comfort level with the applications. I have my personal preferences but I am open to using whatever the client is most comfortable with.

My Approach

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is at the core of any therapy practice and mine is no different. Just like in Las Vegas, whatever happens in a psychotherapy session, stays in the session. Unless there is a suspicion of harm, either towards yourself or towards somebody else. In that case, it is my duty to report that.

This is to make sure that nobody comes to harm.

Empathy, Authenticity, and Collaboration

Everybody has different life experiences and perspectives, including myself. It is my job to attempt to fully understand these. I aim to make it that every single client is felt heard, seen, and understood. However, I am still human, and I encourage my clients to work in collaboration with me, that is, to give me feedback.

Did I misunderstand something? Please let me know! Do you feel that I am considering something as important that is in fact unimportant? Please bring it up! Likewise, if you would like me to share my own experiences, please let me know. All of these comments will help make sure that the sessions are going in the direction that is most helpful for you.

Personalized Care

There is no one-size-fits-all in psychotherapy. The sessions are tailored to your needs and goals. While I am not (yet) specialized in any specific problem, I am open and willing to learn, from you.

After all, you are the expert in your life. I am simply there to help guide you to overcome any obstacles that may be in your way.

Psychotherapy is your space, help me structure it to best fit who you are and what you need it to be.

My Qualifications

Psychology

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of New York in Prague and am pursuing a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Groningen. I am currently in my final year of my psychotherapy training provided by the Association of Systemic Therapists in Belgrade, which means that I am not a fully licensed psychotherapist – yet. However, my training center is accredited by the European Association for Psychotherapy, making it that my psychotherapy education is accredited throughout Europe. For more than two years I volunteered in a non-profit organization dedicated to providing prosocial support to users of psychiatric services. This helped me not only gain a valuable perspective on how it is for people who live with a diagnosis but also how important the very act of socialization is. Since 2024, I am an online volunteer for a counseling center who offers reduced fees, back in Serbia.

Collaborative Family-Systemic Therapy

Each psychotherapy session is unique as it is tailored to the client's needs and goals, where most of all it is created with the client's feedback about what they've found helpful kept in mind. The systemic perspective means that I will always keep factors that surround you in mind, be that family, friends, community, culture, etc.

While I am currently training in the systemic perspective, I am open to further training and research, if that is what my client's require. Additionally, I make it a necessity to attend any workshops, seminars, or courses, especially in fields that I am not familiar with, as part of my ongoing education as a psychotherapist.

So far, I have attended additional courses connected to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance Commitment Therapy. If appropriate, I incorporate techniques from these modalities into my work.

Under Supervision

As part of my education and career, I undergo regular supervision with a qualified supervisor who is a licensed and accredited EAP psychotherapist. During supervision, cases are discussed in a way where names and other identifying information are removed to protect confidentiality and privacy.

This is in order to help maintain ethical standards, prevent blind spots, ensure client welfare, as well as gain new perspectives. Put simply, it is to aid me in improving future sessions and thus ensuring quality care.

It is therefore an important part of my professional journey of self-improvement as a psychotherapist.

Frequently asked questions

I understand that psychotherapy can be a scary experience and it is perfectly natural to be nervous. I have compiled a list of common questions and concerns people have had.

I am incredibly sorry to hear that. Please know that in no way does looking for help make you 'crazy'/'weak' or any other negative labels that can be mistakenly associated with the idea of psychotherapy. In fact, it is quite the opposite; it is incredibly brave and strong of you to take this step into looking after your well-being. We all find it difficult to cope with life at times and it is perfectly okay to ask for help, no matter who you are.

No. There is a huge misconception that a therapist is someone who will tell the client what to do, this is not true. I value your autonomy and will not make decisions for you. Instead, I will help you explore various options and build up the confidence to be able to pursue those options.

I always begin my sessions with a check-in. Then I proceed based on how the client feels that day. This can include me leading and talking about something that was discussed previously, the client opening up a topic, going over homework given the previous session, or simply giving the client the space to talk about whatever is on their mind. Essentially, the session can be one where the client simply ‘gets things off their chest’ or can include more structure, with potential advice offered and formulation of strategies reflected upon together. It is up to what the client needs that day.

That is completely fine! We don’t have to talk about something that you do not feel emotionally ready for. I am not here to force you. Once you feel prepared, we can open up the topic, but otherwise, we can talk about whatever you want to talk about. The sessions are formed based on what you want and how you feel. Once again, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' and some clients need more time than others. And that is absolutely fine.

Did I not answer a question or concern you have? Or perhaps you simply want to get in touch? Feel free to contact me!

You can contact me either via email (leagrujic.psy@gmail.com) or phone (WhatsApp +420702102992)

I look forward to hearing from you! Have a good day! :)

Lea Grujić

IČO: 23423331

Association of Systemic Therapists

European Association for Psychotherapy