Ivana Stoilovic

Ivana Stoilovic, Ph.D., RPT is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte). She also serves as the Director of the Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy, the play therapy concentration of the M.A. in Counseling, and the Multicultural Play Therapy Center.

Stoilovic began her professional career as a Licensed Professional Counselor, providing clinical mental health counseling in a variety of settings, including residential treatment programs, inpatient psychiatric facilities, schools, and private practice. She also owned and operated a private practice for 10 years, providing counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Throughout her international career, she has been committed to supporting children, adolescents, and their families. Her work with diverse and at-risk populations is grounded in the belief that relationships are one of the most important protective factors in the healing process. Her clinical and professional work reflects a deep commitment to creating therapeutic relationships that foster safety, growth, and meaningful change.

She joined the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte in spring 2020 as a doctoral student and is honored to return as a faculty member and be part of a counseling team dedicated to supporting mental health professionals in understanding and applying the therapeutic power of play.

Areas of Research

• development and implementation of culturally responsive and inclusive practices
• creating therapeutic environments that honor each child’s cultural identity, family values, language, lived experiences, and unique strengths
• impact of caregiver’s involvement in the play therapy process

Education

Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education – University of North Carolina at Charlotte
M.A., Counseling – National Louis University
B.A., Psychology – University of La-Verne