Clinical Psychology Brisbane
Brisbane based thoughtful psychological therapy for older adolescents (16 years and over) and adults.
Grounded in understanding. Guided by what matters most to you.
Brisbane (in-person) or country wide (telehealth).
What does Iskra mean?
Iskra is the Bulgarian word for spark.
A spark can mean many things.
The first glimmer of hope after a difficult period. A moment of clarity when something begins to make sense. The courage to ask for help. The beginning of something new.
Lasting change often begins quietly.
Sometimes it starts with a conversation, a different perspective, or simply the experience of feeling understood.
That is the spirit in which Iskra Psychology was created.
Dr Antonia Dlagnekova
Clinical Psychologist In Brisbane
I completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2013 and have worked as a psychologist for more than a decade across specialist psychiatric services, private practice and community settings. Alongside my clinical work, I later completed a PhD focused on the concept of vigour in people living with schizophrenia.
I work with older adolescents (16 years and over) and adults experiencing a broad range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties and major life transitions.
Whether you’re navigating a difficult period, feeling overwhelmed, or simply hoping to better understand yourself, therapy offers an opportunity to pause, reflect and begin making sense of your experiences.
My Approach
Therapy offers an opportunity to move beyond asking only what’s the matter and begin exploring what matters most to you.
Sometimes that begins with making sense of difficult experiences. Sometimes it’s reconnecting with what is important to you, clarifying your values, or finding a way of living that feels more aligned with the person you want to be.
Together we’ll make sense of your experiences, the broader context of your life, and what meaningful change would look like for you.
My work is informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and other integrative models. Rather than following a predetermined formula, therapy develops through careful formulation, reflection and ongoing collaboration.
What brings people to therapy?
Life can be challenging in many different ways, and there is no “right” reason to seek support. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, or simply looking for a space to better understand yourself, therapy offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and move forward with greater confidence.
Anxiety
Anxiety can show up as constant worry, racing thoughts, or a sense that you always need to be prepared for the worst. Together, we can explore what may be contributing to these feelings and develop practical ways to help you feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control of your daily life.
Depression
Depression can make even simple tasks feel exhausting and leave you feeling disconnected from the things you once enjoyed. Therapy provides a compassionate space to explore what you’re experiencing, understand your emotions, and take gentle, meaningful steps towards feeling more like yourself again.
Trauma
Difficult or distressing experiences can continue to affect how we think, feel, and relate to others long after they have passed. Therapy offers a safe and supportive environment to process these experiences at your own pace, helping you regain a sense of safety, confidence, and hope.
Stress and burnout
When life’s demands become overwhelming, it’s easy to feel mentally and emotionally exhausted. Therapy can help you recognise the signs of stress, restore balance, develop healthier coping strategies, and reconnect with the things that help you feel energised and fulfilled.
Grief and loss
Loss can affect every part of our lives, whether it’s the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or another significant life change. Therapy offers a compassionate space to process your emotions, honour your experience, and find your own path through grief.
Relationship difficulties
Relationships can be a source of comfort as well as challenge. Whether you’re experiencing conflict, communication difficulties, or feeling disconnected, therapy can help you better understand yourself and your relationships while building healthier ways of connecting with others.
Life transitions
Major life changes, whether expected or unexpected, can leave us feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. Starting a new job, becoming a parent, retiring, or navigating other transitions can all bring unique challenges. Therapy can help you adjust with greater confidence and resilience.
Workplace challenges
Work can have a significant impact on our wellbeing. Whether you’re facing conflict, high pressure, career uncertainty, or difficulties maintaining work-life balance, therapy can help you explore practical strategies while supporting your overall mental and emotional health.
Emotion regulation
Sometimes emotions can feel overwhelming, unpredictable, or difficult to manage. Therapy can help you better understand your emotional responses, develop healthier coping skills, and respond to life’s challenges in ways that feel more balanced and intentional.
Self-esteem and identity
How we see ourselves shapes the way we experience the world. If you’re struggling with confidence, self-worth, or questions about who you are and what matters to you, therapy provides a supportive space to build self-understanding, self-acceptance, and personal growth.
Meet Dr Antonia Dlagnekova
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with people experiencing a broad range of psychological difficulties across specialist psychiatric services, private practice and community settings.
These experiences have reinforced a simple but enduring belief: while diagnosis and evidence-based treatment each have an important place, people are always more than the difficulties that bring them to therapy.
If you’d like to learn more about my background and approach, you’re welcome to read more here
Fees & Medicare
You do not need a referral to make an appointment.
If you have a valid Mental Health Care Plan prepared by your GP, psychiatrist or paediatrician, you may be eligible to receive Medicare rebates for psychology sessions.
Appointments may also be available under DVA, WorkCover and other third-party funding arrangements where appropriate.
Further information about fees and rebates can be found on the Fees page.
