Hi, I’m Ivana! As someone with lots of experience performing on stage, I know the importance of speaking clearly and confidently. Communication with intention is the driving force behind my work with my clients, and I feel passionately about building intentionality at every level of communication, whether it’s focusing on Canadian English speech sounds or using more assertive language.
I was born and raised in beautiful British Columbia, and I have lived in Vancouver for my whole life! I received my Masters in Audiology and Speech Sciences from UBC in 2021. I have experience in a variety of settings and across populations, and my favourite work has always been finding ways to embed strategies meaningfully into a client’s everyday routines, as well as coaching adults by leaning into their learning style.
When I work with my clients, I try to frame strategies as tools in a toolbox - how can we pull out specific strategies when we need them? My hope is to provide my clients with different communication strategies that they can use when they feel it’s necessary - for example, specific intonation patterns or pacing techniques. I also hope to foster self-awareness in my clients. It can be tricky to catch things like filler words or a fast speaking rate in the moment, but being more intentional about how we use our language can make all the difference.
Outside of my work as a speech therapist, I am an active member of the Croatian community of Vancouver; I love teaching traditional folk songs and dances to teenagers and adults, as well as travelling across North America to showcase Croatian culture! I also love running, playing piano, and spending time with my family.
