Karla Ivankovich
Contents
About
Dr. Karla Ivankovich has dedicated her life to serving the underserved. For the last 10 years, she’s been co-founder and CEO of OnePatient Global Health Initiative, a non-for-profit that provides patient access to physical and mental healthcare services in some of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods. The program operates out of city-based Norwegian American Hospital, Community First Medical Center and at the main office in Andersonville. As CEO, Ivankovich is responsible for programming, strategic planning, supervision, development, operations and clinical compliance – all on approximately a $200,000 annual budget that is self-funded and supplied by donations.
In this community-based program, patients are seen by graduate level counseling interns preparing for State licensure, supervised by Ivankovich. Since its inception, the team of interns has provided mental health services to well over 1,000 patients, and done so for free Ivankovich said. “We’re a teaching program, and at the end of the day, if I can reach more people and help to a greater degree, this program helps me do that.” Ivankovich said. A recent CDC National Health Survey noted minorities lag far behind in seeking mental healthcare. According to the report, only 8.7 non- Hispanic black adults received mental health services, compared to 18.6 non-Hispanic white adults. As few as 6.8 percent of non-Hispanic black adults received prescription medication for mental health services, compared to 15.4 percent of non- Hispanic white adults. Suicide attempts for Hispanic girls, grades 9-12, were 40 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white girls.
Additionally, more than 22 percent of teenage black girls in grades 9-12 seriously considered suicide. “Working primarily with minority patients, we provide access to mental and physical healthcare regardless of someone’s ability to pay,” Ivankovich said. “We want to support the message that mental health is as important as physical health.” In addition, Ivankovich understands the need to also address physician mental health. To do so, she created a parallel program to provide confidential services to medical students, residents and physicians. Ivankovich started the nonprofit with her husband, Daniel Ivankovich, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and spine specialist.
Karla Ivankovich, who has a Ph.D. in psychology and a master’s in human health development counseling, wears many hats. The Glenview resident is board certified as a clinical counselor and a tele-mental health provider in Chicago, with plans to expand her tele-mental practice to Biloxi, Mississippi – where she has a second home – as well as Florida and Wisconsin. Ivankovich is also a public speaker, has a private practice in Northbrook, acts as a clinical internship supervisor, and teaches undergraduate psychology for the University of Illinois at Springfield and graduate-level counseling psychology for North Park University. Since October, she has written a popular blog for Psychology Today dealing with relationships and sex, including topics like How the Fear of Rejection Can Impact Your Sex Life and Communication = Great Sex.
Ivankovich, who counsels both individuals and couples, often finds the counseling topics – especially with couples – turning to issues relating to their sex lives. Ivankovich has little worry about tackling the taboo topic. “Growing up, talking about sex was totally normal. It was just another conversation or teachable moment at our house, which sounds very weird, but it was very important to my father that everyone was educated.,” Ivankovich said. Ivankovich also speaks prolifically about Corporate Culture, Millennials, Physician Burnout and how social media affects self and body esteem. With a laugh, she says, “I literally have my hands full with everything trying to help people, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Dr. Karla Ivankovich is a Counselor, Educator, Media Personality, and Public Speaker. With a Doctorate in Psychology, Karla has earned degrees in a range of disciplines including; Business Administration, from Lincoln Land Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, a Master of Arts degree in Human Development Counseling with a concentration in Marriage and Family, as well as Master of Arts degree in INO-Disability Studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield. In addition, to round out her knowledge of educational systems at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels, Dr. Karla furthered her graduate education with significant coursework in Educational Leadership.
Ranked as a Top Executive by the National Council of American Executives, Karla serves as President and Co-Founder of OnePatient Global Health Initiative. In this position, Karla’s primary role is to provide executive oversight for OnePatient Global Health Initiative through outreach programming, mental health assessment, overall strategic planning, financial and staff management, organizational development, program operations, and clinical compliance. Karla’s extensive professional history as an industry executive has allowed her to develop and manage university and state-wide programs of assistance.
Education
MA – Human Development Counseling
Doctorate in Psychology,
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC)
Board Certified Professional Counselor (BCPC)
Experience
Relationship Advice Blogger
Psychology Today - USA
Oct 2019 - Present
- Communication = Great Sex
- Is Your Partner Really Having an Orgasm During Sex
- How the Fear of Rejection Can Impact Your Sex Life
- Sexually Transmitted Infections Are on the Rise
CEO and Clinical Counselor
One Patient Global Health Initiative - Greater Chicago Area
2009 - Present
- Co-founded and created a not-for-profit entity designed to provide access to and education for healthcare .
- Provides leadership for OnePatient Global Health Initiative through advocacy in health, education, and prevention in the underserved areas of Chicago. Responsible for overall strategic planning, revenue generation, financial management, organizational development, staff management, and program operations.
Adjunct Professor
North Park University - Greater Chicago Area
Aug 2015 - Present
Responsible for graduate instruction within the field of Counseling Psychology.
- Develop and deliver course content at the graduate level.
- Graduate Courses Taught:
- Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling
- Counseling Techniques
- Family Dynamics
- Practicum Supervision
- Internship Supervision
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
North Shore Counseling, Ltd - Northbrook,IL
Jun 2016 - Present
Scope of Practice
Individuals and couples counseling.
Counseling Specialties.
- Millennials - Commitment, Self Esteem, Stress/Burn out, Life Transitions
- Adults
- Self Esteem
- Body Image
- Couples – Communication, Intimacy, Conflict Resolution
Physician Burnout and Physician PTSD
Dr. Ivankovich has published research and presented findings at national conferences and is often called upon to provide expert opinion to national media sources and organizations such as, The Atlantic, Aljazeera Television, Britt&Co, Magazine, Dr. Oz – the Good Life, Elle Magazine, Fitbit, Glamour, Huffington Post, Men’s Health Magazine, New Parent, Psychology Today, The Science of Relationships, Self Magazine, Teen Vogue, Women’s Day, and Yahoo.
Adjunct Instructor
University of Illinois at Springfield - Springfield,IL
2002 - Present
Responsible for undergraduate instruction within the field of Psychology.
- Develop and deliver course content at the undergraduate level.
- Provide an environment conducive to learning, including the use of Online, Blended and Face to Face lecture techniques in SMART or BlackBoard classrooms.
- Design instructional strategies for delivery in a classroom environment meeting the needs of a variety of student populations including: Traditional, Non-Traditional, International, At-Risk First Generation and those with disabilities.
- Incorporate curriculum delivery with innovative technology to maximize individual student learning styles and understanding of course content. Modalities include: visual, auditory, kinesthetic and experiential methods.
- Verify enrollment and maintain necessary institutional procedures. Undergraduate Courses Taught:
- Adolescent Psychology
- Child Development
- Psychology
- Exceptional Child
Director
University of Illinois at Springfield - Springfield,IL
Jul 1997 - May 2008
Experienced Administrator and Educator with extensive background in Higher Education, ADA, 504 and Civil Rights Legislation. Focused on successful program development, implementation and administration. Licensed Clinical and Distance Credentialed Counselor specializing in child/adolescent and exceptional populations as well as educational and work place disability related accommodations. Interested in workplace mobbing/bullying and perhaps advising corporations on mental health issues and ways to avoid workplace discrimination and retaliation claims.
Specialties: Program Administration, Public Speaking, Institutional Training, Assistive Technology Evaluation, Disability and Civil Rights Legislation: including ADA, 504, IDEA and NCLB. Licensed Clinical and Distance Credentialed Counselor specializing in child/adolescent and exceptional populations as well as educational and work place disability related accommodations.
Radio Host
Midway Broadcasting Company - WVON - Greater Chicago Area
Jan 2014 - Mar 2019
In A Chaotic World, An Amazing Relationship Can Carry Us Through The Best & Worst Of Times. LIFE AND LOVE . . Sundays @11pm On WVON/1690AM or on iHeart Radio
Director
Illinois Masonic Outreach Services - Greater Chicago Area
May 2008 - May 2011
Develop, plan, execute, control, and evaluate the operation of the Illinois Masonic Outreach Services program a social service program for Masons, their wives and their widows.
Adjunct Instructor
Lincoln Land Community College - Greater Chicago Area
2001 - 2006
Responsible for undergraduate instruction within the field of Psychology.
- Develop and deliver course content at the undergraduate level.
- Provide an environment conducive to learning, including the use of Online, Blended and Face to Face lecture techniques in SMART or BlackBoard classrooms.
- Design instructional strategies for effective classroom delivery meeting the needs of a variety of student populations including: Traditional, Non-Traditional, International, At-Risk First Generation and those with a variety of disabilities.
- Incorporate curriculum delivery with innovative technology to maximize individual student learning styles and understanding of course content. Modalities include: visual, auditory, kinesthetic and experiential methods.
- Verify enrollment and maintain necessary institutional procedures. Undergraduate Courses Taught:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Child Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology of Adjustment
Groups
- Psychology Teaching Network
- Healthcare Industry Professionals Group
- Positive Health and Productivity
- The Alumni of Northcentral University
- Healthcare Executives Network
- The Psychology Network
- Medical Decision Psychology Interest Group
Professional Associations
Dr. Karla is considered one of Chicago’s leading health professionals and has been featured and accredited by many associations including:
- American Counseling Association
- American Mental Health Counseling Association
- American Psychological Association
- American Psychotherapy Association
- Chi Sigma Iota – Illinois Chapter
- Healthcare Services Providers Organization
- Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
- National Board of Certified Counselors
Licenses & Certifications
- Board Certified Telemental Health Provider - Center for Credentialing & Education
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor - American Mental Health Counselors Association - ID:999039592
Publications
Medical Career
One Patient Global Health
Professional Educator
In 2001, she began her career in higher education instruction at Lincoln Land Community College. Presently she is an adjunct lecturer in the undergraduate Psychology program at both the University of Illinois at Springfield and the graduate Counseling Psychology program at North Park University located in Chicago, IL. Below is a listing of the courses she has created and taught:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Ethics for Professional Counselors
- Exceptional Child
- Child Development
- Adolescent Psychology
- Family Dynamics
- Abnormal Psychology
- Psychology of Obesity and Eating Disorders
- Health Psychology
- Practicum Supervision
- Clinical Internship Supervision
- Psychology of Music
Media Personality
A counselor, educator, media personality, and public speaker, Dr. Karla Ivankovich inspires people around the world to find their passion by connecting personal accountability with empowerment outcomes. Dr. Ivankovich’s passion and expertise have made her a highly sought-after voice, locally and on a national stage. As such, Dr. Karla has published research and presented findings at national conferences and is often called upon to provide expert opinion to national media sources and organizations such as, The Atlantic, Aljazeera Television, Britt&Co, Chicago Tribune, Dr. Oz – the Good Life, Elle Magazine, Fitbit, Glamour, Huffington Post, Men’s Health Magazine, New Parent, Psychology Today, The Science of Relationships, Self Magazine, Springfield’s Own Magazine, Teen Vogue, Women’s Day, and Yahoo.
Radio Career
Live from the Xfinity studios of iHeart radio at WVON in Chicago, IL, Dr. Karla, and Dr.Daniel Ivankovich host Life and Love, a weekly talk show. In a chaotic world, an amazing relationship can carry you through the best & worst of times. Together, this dynamic duo guides you through the reality of relationships with hilarity, humor, and hope…all in the name of love.
Keynote & Motivational Speaker
Interested in booking Dr. Karla as a speaker for your event? A seasoned professional at the podium she makes a lasting impression that is powerful. Having been invited to speak at National Summits, to lead and participate in focus groups, as a college and university lecturer and more, she is able to address issues relevant to relationships of today, today’s mental health and social work constituency, and today’s medical community, and does so in a manner that is not beholden to a political agenda or at the behest of a funding entity.
What you will get is a straightforward presentation that always leaves audiences asking, “What more can I do?” Dr. Karla’s approach inspires audiences to be of service, be accountable, be kind but most of all, be real. With a deep understanding of the many changes associated with relationships, health and wellness, her perspectives resonate with all genders, all ages and builds a real approach to support a stronger community. Her charming wit, refreshing personality and positive outlook offer insight into relationships, health, wellness and personal accountability.
Press Mentions
Author
Dr. Karla's book is to be published in 2020. Visit her [website] to be notified when the book is released.
Article Mentions
All Articles
[People School Millennials on What Aging Actually Means] [1 in 6 Young Americans Has Stolen Something in the Past Year — Here’s Why] [10 Communication Mistakes Every Couple Makes—And How To Solve Them]
Psychology Today
Karla has been previously mentioned in online articles or news clips. In late 2019 Karla was invited to become a permanent writer for Psychology Today.
| Date Published | Title | Source |
| Nov 27, 2019 | Communication = Great Sex | [2] |
| Nov 22, 2019 | Is Your Partner Really Having an Orgasm During Sex? | [3] |
| Nov 13, 2019 | How the Fear of Rejection Can Impact Your Sex Life | [4] |
| Nov 03, 2019 | Sexually Transmitted Infections Are on the Rise | [5] |
Luvze
www.Luvze.com
| Date Published | Title | Source |
| Aug 3, 2015 | Do I Look Fat In These Jeans? | [6] |
| Mar 13, 2015 | Stay In Your Own Lane | [7] |
| Jan 7, 2015 | Cleaning Up from the Holiday Season | [8] |
| Aug 3, 2015 | Is Your Holiday Happiness Influenced By Social Media? | [9] |
Upcoming Book
Dr. Karla's book is to be published in 2020. Visit her [website] to be notified when the book is released.