Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac, PhD Trauma Therapist in MA

Let’s lead you towards positive change!

Blonde haired woman in glasses with a black and white shirt and a sepia toned map in the background, a Hanover therapist offering online therapy

You've come to the right place for trauma and anxiety, where I provide expert support tailored to your unique needs, guiding you towards healing and resilience. At True Pathways Therapy, I offer compassionate therapy for depression, providing evidence-based approaches to help you navigate through the darkness towards a brighter tomorrow.

Struggling with substance use? True Pathways Therapy is here to offer specialized treatment and support, empowering you to overcome substance use problems and reclaim control of your life. In times of relationship conflict, True Pathways Therapy provides a safe space for open dialogue and collaborative solutions, helping you rebuild trust and foster deeper connections.

Facing life transitions? True Pathways Therapy offers guidance and support to navigate change with confidence, helping you embrace new beginnings and find your footing on your journey forward.

Asking for help will allow you to get back onto your true path toward your authentic self.

Weathered wood dock in the foreground and water of a lake with rushes in the background, the site of someone pondering online therapy with Dr. Aida
Blonde haired woman in glasses with a black and white shirt and a sepia toned map in the background, a Hanover therapist offering online therapy

Meet Aida!

My clients describe me as kind, compassionate, direct, and motivating.

Working with me means embarking on a journey of self-discovery and growth in a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental environment. I am dedicated to understanding your unique experiences, challenges, and goals, tailoring therapy to meet your individual needs. Together, we will explore the depths of your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, unraveling the complexities of your inner world. Through evidence-based interventions, compassionate guidance, and collaborative efforts, I empower you to overcome obstacles, cultivate resilience, and create meaningful change in your life. With my unwavering support and expertise, you will embark on a transformative journey towards healing, empowerment, and a renewed sense of well-being.

Since I was young, I've been passionate about psychology, especially due to the challenges I faced during the war in my home country. When I came to the United States, I wanted to deepen my understanding of psychology so I could assist people dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and difficult life transitions. Drawing from my own experiences and studies, I've gained valuable insights to better support others. Now, I apply proven methods to help my clients heal and grow, while striving to uphold the values that guide me.

  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) - a widely used therapeutic approach that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It aims to help individuals identify and challenge negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs that contribute to emotional distress or maladaptive behaviors. Through structured techniques and exercises, such as cognitive restructuring and behavioral experiments, CBT teaches clients new ways of thinking and responding to challenging situations. The goal is to promote positive changes in thoughts and behaviors, leading to improved emotional well-being and functioning.

    Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) - is a type of therapy commonly used to treat PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other trauma-related issues. It's based on the understanding that how we think about traumatic events can influence our emotions and behaviors. During CPT, clients work with their therapist to identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs related to the trauma. Through structured exercises and discussions, clients learn to develop more balanced and realistic ways of thinking about themselves and their experiences. This process can lead to a reduction in PTSD symptoms and an improved quality of life.

    Exposure Therapy (EP) - a type of therapy used to treat anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). It involves gradually exposing individuals to the source of their fear or trauma in a safe and controlled environment. By repeatedly confronting the feared object or situation, individuals learn that their fear diminishes over time, leading to decreased anxiety and increased confidence in managing their reactions. Exposure therapy helps individuals break free from avoidance behaviors and regain control over their lives by facing their fears directly.

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - a type of therapy originally developed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but it's also effective for other conditions such as mood disorders, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. It focuses on teaching individuals skills to manage their emotions, improve relationships, and cope with distress in healthy ways. DBT emphasizes the acceptance of difficult emotions while also encouraging change towards more effective behaviors. It typically involves individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and therapist consultation teams. Please note in my practice I provide individual therapy only where I teach skills.

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - a form of psychotherapy that combines mindfulness strategies with the acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings, and commitment to taking action aligned with personal values. ACT aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility by learning to be present in the moment, accept their inner experiences, and take actions that enrich their lives. Instead of trying to eliminate or control negative thoughts and emotions, ACT encourages individuals to observe them with openness and compassion while focusing on what matters most to them. This approach can lead to greater psychological resilience, improved well-being, and a more meaningful life.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for substance use - a structured therapeutic approach that targets the underlying thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with substance abuse. It helps individuals recognize and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs related to substance use, such as cravings or urges. Through CBT, clients learn coping skills to manage triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and build resilience against relapse. The goal is to empower individuals to change their relationship with substances and develop a fulfilling, substance-free life. CBT for substance use is often delivered in individual or group therapy sessions and may be combined with other treatments, such as medication or support groups, for comprehensive care.

    Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented approach to therapy that aims to evoke motivation and commitment to change in individuals. It is based on the understanding that ambivalence about change is normal and that individuals possess the resources and capacity for change within themselves. Key principles of Motivational Interviewing include expressing empathy, developing discrepancy between current behavior and values/goals, rolling with resistance rather than confronting it directly, and supporting self-efficacy or confidence in one's ability to change.

  • Northeastern University - Bachelor of Science

    Saint Louis University - M.S. (Research) and Ph.D.

  • Massachusetts License PSY9356, Verify a license

  • I'm originally from former Yugoslavia and I came to the US as a teenager. Even though I've lived here longer than in my home country, I'm still deeply connected to my culture. I cherish celebrating holidays, cooking, and discovering new recipes. My greatest joy is my energetic and enthusiastic 6-year-old son, who motivates me every day. As a family, we love traveling, playing near water, and exploring nature through hikes. We are excited to welcome a new furry friend into our family soon, completing our household.

Specialties

Trauma

Anxiety

Depression

Substance Use

Hanover, Massachusetts Office

  • grey couch, coffee table with tissues and hand sanitizer, cream curtains with birds and a dark blue chair with a yellow round pillow, the office of a Hanover therapist.
  • Cream curtains with birds, a side table with clock and yellow flowers, a lamp with cream lampshade, and a dark blue chair with a yellow round pillow, the office of a Hanover therapist.
  • Grey therapy couch with 2 grey and white pillows and a grey, white, and yellow pillow, pillowcoffee table with tissues and hand sanitizer, the office of a Hanover therapist.
  • Waiting room at a therapists office with a blck ottoman and a book shelf with ocre boxes, carpeted stairs upstairs to the office of online therapist, Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac
  • White table with a fake fire place, sound machine, vase with green rushes and 4 wicker art pieces, the waiting room of online therapists, Hanover office
  • Black ottoman, large bull rushes in the corner, a picture of a boardwalk leading to a beach, a glass coffee table with brochures, the waiting room of Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac, online therapist in Hanover Massachusetts
  • directory for an office building, brick walkway with white office buildings on either side. The office park of Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac's Hanover office
  • Blue door to the Hanover office of online therapist Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac, a small vertical window to the side with brown trim, a door mat with an anchor on it and white siding of a building.

Are you ready to take the first step towards healing and growth?