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 18 years. She is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist specialising in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, poor habits and dependencies, phobias, pain management, and corporate burnout. Yvonne is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist at Olive Branch Hypnotherapy. Yvonne completed her business degree at the University of Technology Sydney and additional studies in strategic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy at the Australian Institute of Applied Psychology.
Yvonne also has over 15 years of local and international corporate experience.
Yvonne has a keen interest in neurodivergence and sociocultural issues in therapy. She is pursuing her Master’s in Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney and is an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP). She has been with her partner for 23 years and has three sons.
Yvonne Zeljkovic (von)
Yvonne Zeljkovic, is an Australian-Polish expat residing in Dubai for over 18 years. She is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist specialising in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, poor habits and dependencies, phobias, pain management, and corporate burnout. Yvonne is an Australian Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist at Olive Branch Hypnotherapy. Yvonne completed her business degree at the University of Technology Sydney and additional studies in strategic psychotherapy and clinical hypnotherapy at the Australian Institute of Applied Psychology.
Yvonne also has over 15 years of local and international corporate experience.
Yvonne has a keen interest in neurodivergence and sociocultural issues in therapy. She is pursuing her Master’s in Psychology from the University of Technology Sydney and is an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider (ADHD-CCSP). She has been with her partner for 23 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