Meet Tanja – Psychotherapist, Counsellor, and Certified Sandtray Therapist

We’re delighted to welcome Tanja Samardzic to Ease Wellness — a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, and Certified Sandtray Therapist whose work is grounded, thoughtful, and deeply attuned to the inner world of her clients.

With a calm and compassionate presence, Tanja offers a safe space for children, adolescents, and adults to slow down, reflect, and make sense of their experiences — especially during times that feel overwhelming, confusing, or emotionally complex. Her integrative approach combines evidence-informed talking therapy with the creative depth of Sandtray Therapy, allowing insights to emerge gently, symbolically, and at a pace that feels supportive and contained.

In this Q&A, Tanja shares more about her background, her love for this work, and how Sandtray Therapy can help people connect more deeply with themselves when words alone aren’t enough.

Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background? I’m Tanja. I’ve lived in Sydney all my life, mostly in the Inner West, and I’m a mum to two young adult children. Parenting has deeply shaped how I understand people, emotions, and relationships, and it continues to influence the way I work.

I practise as a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, and Certified Sandtray Therapist, supporting adults, adolescents, and children. I was drawn to this work through a long-standing interest in how people make sense of their experiences — particularly during times when life feels overwhelming, confusing, or difficult to navigate.

I see therapy as a space where things can slow down, where you can feel properly heard, and where understanding yourself becomes clearer and more manageable.

Q: What is your area of expertise, and what services do you offer at Ease Wellness?

My main area of expertise is Sandtray Therapy, a creative and hands-on approach that allows people to explore thoughts, emotions, and experiences using sand and miniature objects. I often integrate this with talking therapy and other evidence-informed approaches, depending on what feels most appropriate for each person.

Sandtray Therapy can be especially helpful when experiences feel complex, emotionally charged, or difficult to put into words — which can happen at any stage of life. Rather than relying solely on conversation, the process allows themes, feelings, and patterns to emerge visually and symbolically, often getting closer to the heart of what’s going on in a way that feels safe, grounded, and contained.

Q: What do you love most about the work you do?

What I value most is witnessing people walk away with a clearer understanding of themselves, or feeling less weighed down than when they arrived. That might look like recognising a pattern, easing self-criticism, or simply realising they’re not alone with what they’re carrying. Supporting people through these shifts, however subtle or significant, is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

Q: Who do you most love to work with?

I work with adults, adolescents, and children who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to make sense of their inner experiences. This includes people who feel disconnected from their emotions, caught in repeating patterns, or who struggle to express what’s really going on beneath the surface.

Sandtray Therapy can be particularly supportive in these situations, as it allows experiences to be explored symbolically and at a pace that feels manageable. This often brings insight into emotional patterns, relationships, and life dynamics that aren’t always easy to access through talking alone.

Q: What can someone expect in a first session with you?

The first session is relaxed, supportive, and guided by what feels comfortable for you. We’ll talk about what’s brought you to therapy and what feels important right now, without any expectation that you need to have everything worked out or know exactly what to say.

If it feels appropriate, Sandtray Therapy may be introduced as a way of exploring experiences visually and symbolically, rather than through conversation alone. This can be especially helpful for people of all ages when words don’t quite capture what’s going on. Most people leave the first session feeling listened to, supported, and clearer about what the next steps might be.

Q: Why do you feel a holistic approach to health is so important?

Our emotional, mental, physical, relational, and cultural experiences are deeply interconnected. When we focus on just one aspect, we often miss the broader context of what’s influencing how someone feels or copes.

A holistic approach allows us to understand the full picture of a person’s life, rather than simply addressing symptoms. By combining talking therapy with creative and experiential approaches, people can develop deeper self-awareness and make changes that feel meaningful, integrated, and sustainable over time.

Q: What does being part of Ease Wellness mean to you?

Being part of Ease Wellness means working within a thoughtful and supportive environment that genuinely values holistic wellbeing. It’s a space where care, integrity, and respect guide the work, and where both clients and practitioners are supported. I appreciate being part of a team that’s aligned in its values and committed to ethical, meaningful practice.

Q: What inspires you most in your personal life?

I’m inspired by everyday life and the people around me. My family and close relationships continue to shape how I understand empathy, connection, and resilience. Time in nature, creative outlets, and moments of reflection help me stay grounded and present, and they influence the calm, steady approach I bring into my work.

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If you’re curious about exploring therapy in a way that feels gentle, creative, and deeply supportive, Tanja offers a calm and compassionate space to begin. Whether you’re navigating change, supporting your child or adolescent, or seeking greater self-understanding, her approach invites insight without pressure.

We’re so pleased to welcome Tanja to the Ease Wellness team and know her work will be a beautiful support to our community.

Bookings with Tanja are now available at Ease Wellness.

Book with Tanja