Welcome dear visitor,

I am Iva, the visionary behind the Garden Within, a project that emerged after years of studying holistic well-being and trauma healing, driven by a deep desire to share that knowledge.

My personal transformative journey started in my early twenties as a response to the peak of depression and anxiety that had its roots in a relational childhood trauma. A healing path that I have been walking ever since has brought an immense sense of gratitude, openness and joy into my life as well as deep trust that healing is possible for everyone.

Practices and modalities that have been the greatest source of transformation on my journey are the Internal Family Systems therapy, yoga, meditation, dance, nature-based mindfulness, breathwork, dreamwork and entheogens.

As a psychologist my interest extends to the fields of somatic-, transpersonal-, buddhist- and ecopsychology offering me a holistic understanding of personal and collective well-being.

I am aware that it takes a lot of courage, determination and commitment to look into ourselves and take responsibility to attend to and nurture for what we find inside, as well as that oftentimes we need support and guidance in that process. I firmly believe that every human being can embark on this journey of self-exploration and transformation leading to a more balanced and harmonious life.

It would be a privilege and honor to accompany you on your transformative journey witnessing your transformation towards a more balanced, fulfilling and meaningful life in unity and harmony with yourself, others and nature.

Finally, I want to express profound gratitude to those whose wisdom inspires my work — Richard Schwartz, Peter Levine, Arielle Schwartz, Gabor Mate, Stephen Porges, Bessel van der Kolk, Jack Kornfield, Bill Plotkin and Toko - Pa.

I am currently living and working between my home town Zagreb (Croatia) and my soul town Berlin (Germany).

With love and care,

Iva

EDUCATION & TRAINING

• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level 1 (2023 - 2024)

• Integrative Somatic Parts Work @ Embody Lab (2023)

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Foundations of the IFS Model @ IFS Institute (2022)

• Restorative Relationship Conversations | Training for Facilitators (2022)

• Mindfulness in Nature for Adults, Children & Youth | Training for Facilitators @ Waldbaden Akademie (2020)

• Kids Yoga Training @ Kidding Around Yoga (2020)

• Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Level 1 @ Ik Saran Dhian School (2019-2020)

• Dreamwalking with Toko-pa Turner (2018)

• Master Program in Gender Studies @ Central European University, Hungary (2015-2016)

• Betzavta - Creative Conflict Resolution, Training for Facilitators @ Kreisau-Initiative e.V. (2015)

• Prevention of Eating Disorders @ Centre for Eating Disorders BEA, Croatia (2014)

• Master Program in Psychology @ University of Zagreb, Croatia (2011-2014)

• Women's Studies Program @ Centre for Women's Studies, Croatia (2013-2014)

• Psychological counseling @ Brave Phone for Children (2010 - 2012)

• Bachelor Program in Psychology @ University of Zagreb, Croatia (2007 - 2010)