Mateja Petje, MS, LMFT, NLPP

My healing journey began in my home country of Slovenia as I had to face many life challenges so I became interested in how people heal from emotional trauma. In addition to Slovenian, I speak English and Croatian, however all my sessions are conducted in English.

While still living in Slovenia, I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in English and Education. I have always been passionate about helping people and I taught English for several years with great success to a variety of age groups. In addition, I worked for the Slovenian government as a translator for the European Union.

After moving to the U.S. in 1997, I settled in Miami. Shortly after, I was awarded a graduate assistant scholarship from University of Miami in Coral Gables and graduated with Honors in 2003 with my Master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Although now I primarily work with couples and adults, I have extensive background working with families and at-risk children and adolescents. I have more than 10 years of experience as a counselor in the mental health field and have worked with many prominent agencies in Miami-Dade and Broward County including Switchboard of Miami, Department of Children and Families, Memorial Health Care Systems, Chrysalis Center, and Jewish Community Services. After obtaining my license in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2008, I went to work for the managed care industry while building my private practice in Broward County.

I also acquired extensive training as a Professional Life Coach at the Institute of Life Coach Training founded by Dr. Patrick Williams. This training is invaluable as it is specifically tailored to psychotherapists. As a result of this training, I am now better equipped to assist both my therapy and coaching clients.

Furthermore, I was trained in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) by a prominent Master Trainer in NLP and Hypnosis, Dr.Yvonne Oswald. Instead of spending years in therapy, my clients receive immediate and repeatedly positive results and are able to change their beliefs and behaviors.

So why a dolphin as my brand image? Dolphins are known to be friendly, social, playful and also very intelligent and compassionate, and I was told by my clients and friends as well as my colleagues that I possess all the aforementioned qualities. In mythology and history dolphins are known for heroic acts and consideration for distressed humans, dogs, and even horses.

Like humans, they also live in social groups. They distinguish themselves from other whales and fish for their ability to be “masters of the acoustic” and they can even understand simple sentences and syntax.

 

My book “My Journey to Self-Discovery” was published in 2010 and it is now available. CLICK HERE or on the book image to purchase the paperback or ebook. This book is a self-analysis of my life which I hope serves as an example of the struggles we all go thru on our journey to self-enlightenment.

Through the years I learned from many teachers and spiritual masters. My favorite teachers include Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Debbie Ford, Thich Nhat Hanh, Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, Esther and Jerry Hicks, Marianne Williamson, Donna Eden, Napoleon Hill, Steven Covey, and many others.