Lidija Jovanovic

PhD in Molecular Pathology, Master of Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) (Honors).

Availability: Thursdays (Woolloongabba), Fridays (Kenmore)

Languages: English, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian 

Lidija is a registered psychologist who works with adolescents (14+) and adults across a broad range of emotional, relational, and life challenges. She has a particular interest in supporting individuals through periods of adjustment and transition, including relationship and family changes, parenthood, education and career challenges, grief and loss, and other significant life events. She has a particular interest in working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Her therapeutic interests also include identity development, emotional wellbeing, resilience, interpersonal relationships, and supporting clients to better understand how their life experiences have shaped the way they relate to themselves and others. She aims to help clients develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and confidence in navigating life's challenges.

Lidija adopts an integrative, evidence-based approach, drawing on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her therapeutic style is warm, collaborative and reflective, combining thoughtful exploration with practical, solution-focused strategies. While providing a compassionate and supportive space, she is also willing to challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour when appropriate to facilitate meaningful and lasting change. She works flexibly using both short- and longer-term therapy models, tailoring treatment to each client's individual goals, strengths and circumstances.

Lidija has experience supporting clients presenting with relationship and attachment difficulties, low self-esteem, work-related stress, and trauma, including the impacts of childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic and family violence. She also has a particular interest in working with neurodivergent individuals and provides assessment and psychological therapy for adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

She is committed to providing culturally responsive and inclusive psychological care and has experience working with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including collaborating with professional interpreters where appropriate. Her goal is to support clients in building resilience, strengthening self-understanding, and creating meaningful, values-driven lives.

Before pursuing a career in psychology and counselling, Lidija had a career in biomedical research. Her area of expertise was in cancer research, and she worked as a scientist at the University of Otago and QUT. Her knowledge of the genetic, physiological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying human emotions and behaviours informs her clinical practice and gives her a unique perspective for understanding mental health difficulties.