Grief counselors and therapists in Salt Lake City, UT

Hello! I am Gano. I am a fully licensed clinical mental health counselor in Utah, though I am originally from Bosnia and Croatia. I have a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling and specialization in Child and Family Therapy from Boston College, and a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Westminster University. I have been a therapist since 2019, and I have experience working with a wide variety of clients of different ages, backgrounds, and mental health issues. I have specialized training in EMDR trauma therapy and Attachment Based Family therapy.

I’m a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who works with adults, young adults, teens, and children navigating anxiety, emotional overwhelm, life transitions, relationship challenges, and difficult past experiences. I believe meaningful growth happens when you feel safe, understood, and supported. My goal is to create a warm, welcoming space where you can show up as you are, better understand what you’re experiencing, and feel more confident moving forward.

As a first-generation Asian immigrant to the U.S. and an ex-Mormon, I understand the difficulty of blending cultures, values, and faith transitions. It is important to me to help individuals feel heard without judgment, shame, or guilt and give them a sense of belonging. My goal as a therapist is to help you gain new perspectives and confidence to take on any challenges in your life. I want to help you expand your emotional tolerance, walk with you through your grief and fears, and assist you in life transitions.

When contemplating “resiliency,” I am reminded of the wisdom shared by Thich Nhat Hanh in his quote, “No Mud, No Lotus.” This succinctly encapsulates life’s challenges and the accompanying suffering. While we often yearn for happiness devoid of difficulties, I firmly believe that these struggles are indispensable for our overall well-being, akin to the lotus requiring mud to flourish.

My role involves helping clients recognize their potential to bloom into something remarkable, even amidst adversity when the path seems obscured. Through the integration of mindfulness, self-compassion, and trauma-informed methodologies, I facilitate a journey where clients unearth their inherent strengths and resilience, fostering transformative growth from within.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the owner of Night Owl Wellness. I hold a master's degree from the University of Utah.

I work with a wide range of adult populations, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, sexual trauma survivors, those with addiction, people with Autism/ADHD, and survivors of religious trauma. My personal and professional understanding of trauma's complex impact is what drives my passion for this work.

My therapeutic training includes Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and other eclectic and integrated interventions.

I believe in showing up as a real person in the therapy room. Clients often tell me they feel comfortable being fully themselves in our sessions, whether they’re navigating anxiety, faith transitions, self-worth, or the messy in-betweens of being human. My own journey (from growing up in a high-control religious group to finding meaning and freedom in nature and music festivals) has shaped my understanding of how culture and systems impact our stories.

I provide a non Judgmental, positive environment for all populations I serve. I have a no nonsense, direct approach to therapy.

Hello and Welcome! I began my LCSW career as a therapist at the University Neuropsychiatric Institute (now Huntsman Mental Health Institute, or HMHI) and several Employee Assistant Programs (EAP’s) before opening my own private practice.

With a strong foundation in diagnosing and treating acute mental illnesses, I now focus primarily on helping clients facing less severe but impactful mental health issues. My areas of specialization include depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, relationship challenges, anger management, and childhood-related problems and primarily work with adults and older adolescents.

Though it may not be immediately visible, I bring extensive experience working with diverse populations, including LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent (ND), and neurotypical (NT) individuals. I openly invite questions and conversations around these topics, emphasizing my inclusive and affirming approach.

Beyond my clinical work, I am passionate about the outdoors and enjoy Utah’s rich natural offerings, including hiking, camping, scuba diving, skiing, sailing, and climbing. A dedicated traveler, I’ve visited approximately 75 countries, with extended stays in the majority of them. My extroverted nature fuels a deep curiosity about people and their unique life experiences.

I work with individuals who are ambitious and capable but often feel stretched thin trying to keep up with life, goals, and expectations. Many of my clients are professionals or working adults navigating stress, burnout, perfectionism, or self-doubt. I also enjoy working with teenage girls (13+). Together, we’ll uncover what’s holding you back, set realistic boundaries for your time and energy, manage stress, and find more peace in the present while still working toward meaningful goals for your future.

I’m EMDR-trained and IFS-informed. I earned my Master’s in Social Work from Boise State University in 2021.