Who are we?
Katrina Spartalis (Kat)
Katrina Spartalis is an Australian-Greek expat who has lived in Dubai for over ten years. Katrina is an author and experienced CDA Licensed Counsellor at the Dubai Community Health Centre as well as a School Counsellor with Arcadia British School. She has a diverse background in supporting young people and adults with their mental health journeys. Her academic achievements include a B.A. in Education from the University of New South Wales, a Graduate Diploma of Psychology from the University of Sydney, and an M.A. in Counselling from the University of New England, Australia. Drawing on her educational background, Katrina brings a comprehensive and empathetic approach to her counseling practice, ensuring a holistic understanding of her clients’ challenges. She has been with her partner for 23 years and has three young sons.
Yvonne Zeljkovic (von)
Yvonne Zeljkovic, is an Australian-Polish expat residing in Dubai for over 19 years. She is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist with a keen interest in the treatment of anxiety, poor habits, phobias, pain management, neurodivergence and corporate burnout. Yvonne is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist at Olive Branch Hypnotherapy. Yvonne completed her Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney and holds a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis and Strategic Psychotherapy from the Australian Institute of Applied Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney, she is planning to undertake a master’s in clinical psychology. Yvonne combines 15+ years of global corporate experience with 5 years in mental health, offering a unique perspective on stress, identity, and expat life. She has been with her partner for 26 years and has three sons.
Yvonne Zeljkovic (von)
Yvonne Zeljkovic, is an Australian-Polish expat residing in Dubai for over 19 years. She is an Australian qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist at Olive Branch Hypnotherapy with a keen interest in the treatment of anxiety, poor habits, phobias, pain management, neurodivergence and corporate burnout. Yvonne completed her Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology Sydney and holds a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis and Strategic Psychotherapy from the Australian Institute of Applied Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney, she is planning to undertake a master’s in clinical psychology. Yvonne combines 15+ years of global corporate experience with 5 years in mental health, offering a unique perspective on stress, identity, and expat life. She has been with her partner for 26 years and has three sons.
Kat and Von are not only qualified in mental health but also personally understand the complexities of mental health challenges. As working mums with six kids between them, they have firsthand experience in managing the corporate world, neurodivergence, parenting, marriage dynamics, peer relationships and the unique hurdles of expatriate life. Their podcast brings unfiltered honesty about mental health (and hopefully some good belly laughs) that improves lives while keeping it real.
You’ve got this!
With Kat & Von