Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ciara Bogdanovic. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Ciara, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was hiring employees for my practice. As a therapist, I had some challenging experiences during my training years, and I always knew I wanted to create a different kind of environment for associate clinicians, one that was supportive, collaborative, and grounded in both compassion and structure.
Hiring is a major commitment. It comes with financial risk, extra labor, and a big shift in responsibility. I was no longer just managing my own caseload, I was now responsible for others’ clinical growth, livelihood, and experience in the field. I believed deeply in the vision of building a space where clinicians could grow while offering high-quality care to clients.
Thankfully, my first two employees were a dream. They shared my values, brought warmth and dedication to their work, and helped shape the culture of the practice in such a meaningful way. I feel incredibly grateful to them and proud of the space we’ve created together.
Ciara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (#140015) and the founder of Sagebrush Psychotherapy, a mental health practice based in Los Angeles. I work with people who feel overwhelmed by intense emotions and are stuck in patterns that don’t serve them. Many of my clients struggle with things like impulsivity, fear of abandonment, chronic suicidality, or complex trauma. Others just know something doesn’t feel right and are looking for a space that can hold that complexity without judgment.
I’ve always been drawn to the edges of this work, the places that feel heavy, chaotic, or difficult to name. That’s often where clients feel most alone. It’s where shame lives and where stigma takes hold. I don’t shy away from those places. My role is to help clients understand their behaviors, reduce shame, and begin to build something more sustainable.
Sagebrush Psychotherapy works with individuals and families dealing with issues like mood instability, anxiety, trauma, and relationship challenges. Our specialties include Borderline Personality Disorder, chronic suicidality, impulsive behaviors, and difficulties with emotional regulation. We also offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) groups. I also work with and mentor therapists, offering them a space to grow their skills.
I’m proud of the environment we’ve created. We value honesty, vulnerability, and the kind of connection that makes room for mistakes, repair, and growth. Therapy here isn’t about striving for perfection. It’s about learning to live with more compassion, flexibility, and truth.
Our work is grounded in the belief that people are doing the best at any given moment and they can still do better. As a practice, we embrace fallibility, our own included. That means staying curious, reflective, and willing to grow alongside the people we serve.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
My reputation has grown through a genuine passion for my work and a strong commitment to providing exceptional care. I show up consistently for my clients and stay deeply engaged in my own growth as a clinician. I’ve also prioritized connecting with other therapists, sharing knowledge, offering support, and staying involved in the broader clinical community. That combination of integrity, collaboration, and care has helped build trust over time.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Outside of training and clinical knowledge, I think success in this field requires two key things. First, in the business of private practice, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take risks. Second, in the therapy itself, self-awareness and genuineness matter more than any technique. Clients can feel when you’re being real with them. Doing your own inner work and showing up with honesty creates the kind of trust that makes real change possible.
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Paula Neves