I grew up in a family of professional musicians in Brno, Czech Republic. My father was the principal of a music school and played and taught violin. My mom was a professor at the Brno Music Conservatory, where she was teaching dulcimer. Music was their biggest passion, and they thought I would develop the same love for music as they had. Although I had played the piano since I was three years old, and at nine, I was competing internationally, I had no desire to become a professional pianist. I was much more interested in playing tennis, doing gymnastics, or taking an acting class.

My parents thought if I stuck with it long enough, eventually, I would fall in love with it. So, instead of playing tennis, I started to play the dulcimer. I didn’t hate it, but I certainly didn’t love it either. I continued studying music in high school at the Conservatory, and by the time I graduated, I knew that there must be something else out there that would make my heart sing. I just wasn’t quite sure what it was!

I have always been fascinated by human behavior and people’s stories. So, I took a leap of faith and applied to the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU) to study acting. To my big surprise, I was accepted! Finally, I was on my path. As I became more passionate about acting, I was influenced by many incredible acting teachers and inspired by actresses like Kate Winslet and Meryl Streep. I knew deep down in my heart that I wanted to expand my horizons and continue studying acting in America. My English was not very good back then, so I moved to London to learn English while waiting tables and bartending. It wasn’t always easy, but I persisted.

I kept my eyes on the prize. During those two years in London, I researched acting schools in New York and decided to apply to HB Studios in the West Village. I got accepted. Yay! New York City, here I come! I was so excited and so scared at the same time. It was a big step into the unknown. But I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime.

I remember sitting on that plane from Prague to JFK, nervous and excited, telling myself that it was all OK and that I was going to either make it as an actress, or something even better would come out of this big adventure. I had Frank Sinatra’s famous melody and lyrics echoing in my mind “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you New York, New York!”

I am a hypnotherapist and coach based in NYC and my life purpose is to help people transform their lives and achieve their goals and dreams. I have always been fascinated by human behavior, feelings, and what makes us tick.

I was dealing with my own pain and depression and I was determined to overcoming and freeing myself from all the old stuff that held me back and to become the best version of myself. I wanted to be a great mom, partner, friend, and role model. When I looked at my kids it dawned on me how crucial it is for them to feel safe, loved, heard, and seen in order to become healthy and happy adults. It went beyond just me and my family. I wanted to help as many people as I could improve their lives and free themselves from pain, childhood traumas, and limiting beliefs.

As I continued taking psychology classes, volunteered for a sexual assault hotline, and visited hospitals and libraries with our therapy dog, Sonny, it became evident that helping people to better their lives through therapy and counseling was my passion and life purpose.

I was accepted to the NYU Masters program in clinical social work, but soon after I started, I knew it wasn’t the right fit for me.

I wanted to see significant and lasting results… quickly. I saw so many people, including myself, stuck in traditional therapy for years or decades without significant improvement. I kept researching different healing modalities that would rapidly get to the root cause of our issues and resolve them permanently.

I learned about hypnotherapy through Dr. Brian Weiss and experienced positive changes in myself through his self-guided hypnosis. When I came upon Marisa Peer and her Rapid Transformational Therapy, I knew this was it! I decided to learn everything I could from this extraordinary woman.

I signed up to study with her in person, which was the best professional and, in many ways, personal decision I’ve ever made. I became a certified RTT Clinical Hypnotherapist. I continue learning and coaching with her to keep up with the newest techniques and skills so my clients can have the best possible results.

A great therapist listens with an open heart and mind. They hold a safe space and help clients to untangle their stories so they can see themselves and their life with a fresh new set of eyes while feeling safe and supported. It brings me such joy when a client comes in struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, and after their session, they feel as if a heavy weight has been lifted off of their shoulders. They begin to be excited about their life and what the future can hold for them. They are leaving empowered and thrilled to write their own story with a much clearer picture of who they are and what kind of life they want to create for themselves. They are liberated from old pain and limitations that were holding them back, now set up to succeed. What is better than that?

I came to the realization that in order for me to live a healthy and fulfilling life I had to unlearn people pleasing and trusting other people more than myself. I was brought up with the idea that my parents knew what was best for me. When I moved to Prague for college, I was free to follow my own heart and mind.

I began to learn how to value and love myself and stop putting other people on a pedestal. I unlearned the habit of putting other people and their feelings and opinions before mine and trust and honor my own feelings and needs. I discovered that putting myself first wasn’t selfish but the sincerest expression of self love, self respect and self care. The truth is the more I love and honor myself the more I can, in fact, love and support others.

It’s this weird paradox that frankly at first made no sense to me!