Dr. Zvonka Jakopovic , LPC

Recognizing the courage it takes to seek change, Dr. Zvonka Jakopovic offers nearly three decades of clinical experience to adults and adolescents navigating difficult life challenges. Known to colleagues and some clients as Dr. J, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC - who has delivered individual and group counseling across a range of clinical settings. Her practice emphasizes practical psychological skills that help people manage intense feelings and complex situations, and she partners with clients to move toward clearer coping and improved functioning.

Dr. Jakopovic works with a broad set of concerns including stress and anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, depression, addictions, family and relationship difficulties, intimacy-related challenges, anger, self-esteem problems, bipolar mood concerns, and coping with life changes. Her additional focus areas include aging and geriatric issues, cancer and caregiver stress, hospice and end-of-life counseling, immigration-related concerns, communication and family-of-origin problems, and exploration of life purpose and forgiveness.

She integrates evidence-informed approaches such as client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral strategies, existential exploration, the Gottman method for relationships, and narrative techniques to tailor support to each person's needs. Dr. Jakopovic frames therapy as a collaborative process, helping people develop tools to face complicated feelings and real-world challenges.

Fluent in English, Croatian, and Serbian, she has experience working with people across borders and cultural backgrounds. Her aim is to support resilience and growth while accompanying individuals through recovery, transition, and meaningful change.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathy, respect, and collaboration - the therapist creates a supportive environment that helps people explore feelings, build self-awareness, and strengthen self-esteem. It is especially helpful for those facing identity questions, relationship concerns, or life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a skills-based approach that helps people identify and reframe unhelpful thoughts and develop practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and addictive patterns. Existential Therapy invites exploration of meaning, responsibility, and life purpose, which can be valuable for grief, major life transitions, end-of-life reflections, and questions about direction.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and is decided collaboratively. Dr. Jakopovic works with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and may blend techniques from different models to create a tailored plan that fits the individual situation.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity during busy schedules, health challenges, caregiving responsibilities, or cross-border moves, and they allow licensed professionals to provide consistent support in ways that suit each client's life.