Aida Cajdric-Vrhovac, PhD Trauma Therapist in MA

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” - Brené Brown

Own your story. Live it fully.

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
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You’ve found the right place for expert support with trauma and anxiety. At True Pathways Therapy, I offer personalized, compassionate care to help you heal, build resilience, and move forward with confidence.

If you're living with depression, you're not alone. Using evidence-based approaches, I provide a safe and supportive space to help you navigate through the darkness and reconnect with hope and meaning.

Struggling with substance use? I offer specialized, non-judgmental support to help you understand the roots of your relationship with substances, make empowered choices, and reclaim control of your life.

In moments of relationship conflict, I provide a space for honest dialogue and collaborative problem-solving - helping you rebuild trust, deepen connection, and move toward healthier patterns.

And when you're facing major life transitions - whether a career change, identity shift, or loss - I’m here to support you through uncertainty, helping you embrace new beginnings and find clarity on your path forward.

Wherever you are in your journey, True Pathways Therapy is here to walk alongside you with compassion, curiosity, and care.

Support can guide you back to your true path - one that aligns with your values, purpose, and sense of 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 often describe me as kind, compassionate, direct, and motivating. I strive to bring all of those qualities into our work together - creating a space that is both supportive and empowering.

Working with me means beginning a journey of self-discovery and growth in a safe, non-judgmental environment. I take the time to truly understand your unique experiences, challenges, and goals. Therapy is never one-size-fits-all; together, we’ll explore the emotions, patterns, and stories that shape your life - and use evidence-based approaches to help you move toward healing and meaningful change.

Through our collaboration, I’ll support you in cultivating resilience, challenging what no longer serves you, and reconnecting with your values and strengths. My role is to walk alongside you - not to “fix” you, but to help you access your own wisdom and inner strength.

My passion for this work is deeply personal. Growing up during the war in my home country, I witnessed firsthand the impact of trauma and loss. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong interest in psychology and a desire to help others heal. After moving to the United States, I pursued advanced training to support individuals navigating trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and major life transitions.

Today, I combine clinical expertise with lived experience, offering therapy that is both grounded and compassionate. I believe in the power of human connection, and I am committed to walking with you on your path toward greater clarity, empowerment, and well-being.

  • 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?

Begin with a Free Consult Call!