About Dr. Iva
I am a Board-Certified Adult Psychiatrist specializing in psychiatric medication management, integrative psychotherapy, and intramuscular ketamine therapy with integration support. My approach is deeply ethical, evidence-based, and aligned with the highest standards of safety and integrity. I believe that trust in your provider is essential for deep healing—when you feel safe and supported, you are more open to the transformative work of therapy and ketamine-assisted healing.
With over a decade of clinical experience, I have worked with more than 4,000 psychiatric patients and provided over 11,000 mental health encounters. My practice is trauma-informed, integrative, and compassionate, focused on creating safe, transformative spaces where individuals can heal, grow, and reconnect with their inner strength. I combine cutting-edge psychiatric treatments with a deep respect for the therapeutic process, ensuring that each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.
My Personal Story
I was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and at 8 years old, my family immigrated to Germany to escape the war that unfolded in the early 1990s. A few years later, we moved again, settling in California, where I have now lived for 27 years.
Experiencing displacement, cultural shifts, and the challenge of rebuilding life twice over shaped the way I see the world. It deepened my understanding of human resilience, the weight of trauma, and the quiet strength that carries people forward. I have known loss and uncertainty, but also the beauty of adaptation, the power of connection, and the ability to find meaning even in hardship.
Because of these experiences, I hold a profound respect for each person’s unique journey. I understand what it means to struggle with identity, belonging, and the search for stability. My work is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and the belief that healing happens in safe, non-judgmental spaces. I meet my clients with empathy, not just as a clinician, but as someone who knows firsthand the depth of human endurance—and the possibility of transformation.
Education & Training
Undergraduate: UC Berkeley – Bachelor of Science in Integrative Biology & German Literature
Medical School: AUC School of Medicine (2008-2012)
Clinical Training: Two years in New York City, NY (2010-2012) – Hands-on training in hospital and outpatient psychiatric settings
Psychiatry Residency: Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), Minneapolis, MN (2012-2016)
-Comprehensive training in hospital, outpatient, emergency psychiatry, addiction, eating disorder treatment, and community mental health
-Provided psychiatric care in acute psychiatric emergency services, addiction treatment centers, and group homes
-Chief Resident (2016-2017): Led teaching and mentorship for junior trainees and medical interns
Professional Background
Work and Clinical Experience: Kaiser Permanente, Oakland (2016-2024)
-Treated a wide range of psychiatric conditions, including complex PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and ADHD
-Received mentorship and hands-on training in IV ketamine therapy, ketamine intake evaluations, and follow-up therapy
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Certification: Completed formal training in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) – May 2024
Ongoing Professional Development: Actively attends MAPS, Horizons, and other national psychedelic therapy conferences to stay current with the latest research, clinical innovations, and ethical best practices in ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy.