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Slavica Kojadinovic

Slavica.webp

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Co-Chief Executive Officer

Co-Chief Clinical Officer

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slavica@connectionsfirst.org

Slavica is currently not accepting new clients.

Expertise & Specialties:

  • Anxiety Disorders (generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic disorders)

  • Attachment Issues

  • Behavioral and Emotional Dysregulation

  • Interpersonal and Relationship Concerns 

  • Self-Esteem and Identity Issues

  • Shame and Guilt

  • Trauma and PTSD/Trauma Informed Car

Therapy Approaches & Training: 

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS), Level 1

  • Compassionate Inquiry (Gabor Maté)

  • The Daring Way™ (Brené Brown)

  • Brainspotting 

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Somatic mindfulness practices

  • Yoga-based practices for trauma and mood (Amy Weintraub)

  • Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges)

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology (Daniel Siegel)

  • Psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and strength-based frameworks

  • The Work of Byron Katie

Meet Slavica:

I’m originally from Bosnia & Herzegovina (former Yugoslavia). I’ve spent over 25 years in the helping profession, supporting individuals through life’s complex transitions. My work is grounded in a deep belief that healing happens when we connect with the truth held in our bodies and the stories that shape us.

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I primarily support adults navigating trauma, shame, identity, and relational challenges. I bring a culturally attuned and somatically grounded perspective, and I particularly resonate with individuals seeking to reconnect with themselves during times of transition or disconnection.

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My approach draws from both “bottom-up” and “top-down” methods—using somatic mindfulness, experiential, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and strength-based practices. I work with the nervous system as a guide, supporting clients in exploring its vulnerabilities and capacity for repair, integrity, and connection. This embodied orientation is central to the way I understand healing: as a relational, integrative, and ongoing process.

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Clinical Background:

I completed my undergraduate and graduate education in Portland, Oregon, and have devoted my career to exploring how trauma and shame shape human suffering and transformation. I co-founded Connections First and co-developed our model, Connections Informed Care, which I now teach to our clinical team. In addition to therapy, I provide clinical and licensure supervision, consultation, and training for staff and community providers.

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What to Expect in Therapy:

Clients often describe me as relational, grounded, and direct. I aim to create a space where healing happens through attunement, relational integrity, and deep respect for your process. Our work together will focus on listening to the body’s wisdom while gently challenging the patterns that no longer serve you.

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If you’re curious about working in a way that honors both your nervous system and your need for growth and change, I welcome the opportunity to connect. 

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While I’m not currently accepting new clients, I remain deeply engaged in supporting our community of therapists and the clients they serve.

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