Some people become therapists because of their own wounds. I’ve asked myself if that was my path, but my answer is no. What drew me in was a deep fascination with life in all its complexity. I’ve always been an observer — not to solve or decode everything, but to understand, to feel inspired, and to see something essential about people, relationships, and the world itself.
I don’t remember the exact moment I chose psychology, but I do remember the challenge that came with it: math. To study psychology in Belarus, I had to pass a math exam, and math has never been my language. But I found a way. I was admitted to study special education and psychology — where math wasn’t required — and in 1998, I graduated with a degree that allowed me to work as both a special educator and a psychologist. But I knew my path didn’t end there.
Encouraged by my parents, I began dreaming about Moscow State University, home to the best psychology department in the former USSR. Relocating to Moscow was a leap, but I was determined to immerse myself in the field. There, I gained a deep theoretical foundation, studying under some of the most prominent Russian psychologists. The field was still largely theoretical. Practical psychology was only beginning to emerge. However, I was inspired by professors who had trained abroad, including Yulia Gippenreiter, whose encounter with Carl Rogers shifted her career toward humanistic psychology.
Through my studies, I realized that to truly understand psychology, I needed to learn where it was actively evolving — Europe or the United States. Then, in 1998, life took an unexpected turn. I met someone whose presence changed my world, someone building a life in the U.S. It was him who first suggested the idea of applying to graduate school there. At the time, it felt impossible — another planet, another language — but love and support make the impossible possible.
So, I learned English. I took the required exams. And in 2001, I was accepted into the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study psychology. This was where I truly became a therapist, educator, supervisor, and researcher. Through thousands of hours of clinical training, I developed my own approach to therapy — grounded in strong theory but shaped by real human experience. In 2007, I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.
Since then, my journey has continued through personal and professional transformations — relocation, a house fire, the birth of my son, divorce, single parenthood, career shifts, midlife crisis, and more. My love for psychology stayed with me through it all. I am deeply proud of the work I do with individuals, groups, and organizations. I know I am in the right place — grateful for the path that led me here, grounded in the present, and open to what’s ahead.