Laura Valentina Gatny
Growing up in Macomb County as the daughter of Serbian immigrants, Dr. Laura Valentina Gatny learned the value of perseverance, communication, service and culture.
Gatny was born shortly after her parents and older sister moved to the United States seeking a better life. Sadly, her father died when she was a baby, leaving her mother to juggle three jobs while the girls’ grandmother raised them.
“My mom is my inspiration for strength, perseverance and doing what you have to do to survive in a new country and culture,” Gatny said. “It created a drive in me to pursue a future in social service, communication and culture.”
Her mother remarried when Gatny was eight years old, transforming their lives. Her American-born stepdad became a true father figure, and as a former bodybuilding coach, he exposed her to “radical ways of thinking,” including Buddhist philosophy, psychology and the mind-body connection which were vastly different from the protective Serbian Christian Orthodox beliefs that formed her earliest years.
“My upbringing was a blending of two cultures and creating my own. I was always surrounded by a rich cultural network of my grandparents and cousins. My dad helped me see the power of independence and interconnectedness.”
She earned her B.S. in counseling psychology from Rochester Christian University and M.A. in clinical psychology from Michigan School of Psychology. Due to the recent pandemic which increased online educational offerings, she was able to receive her Doctor of Philosophy PhD from MSTI as well as attend certification programs through University of California, Berkley, and Harvard Medical School.
Gatny spent the first decade of her career working with children with autism in Macomb and Oakland counties.
During this time, the family of one of her “kiddos” encouraged her to enter the Mrs. Michigan-America 2013 pageant to earn money for autism resources. She entered and won, allowing her to spend the following year collaborating with organizations and media outlets to promote treatment and resources for individuals with autism. As Mrs. Michigan, she took part in a pageant that became part of Bravo’s 2014 reality docuseries, “Game of Crowns.”
Over the past decade, Gatny has worked primarily with adults as a clinical psychotherapist and life coach in her Birmingham-based private practice, Peace of Mindful.
“There’s a massive need to address mental health issues due to anxiety and depression for adults on the spectrum, parents, marriages, siblings and especially moms and women who often shoulder a heavy burden.”
In 2024, she found herself back in the pageant world for another worthy cause when she competed in and won the Mrs. Worldwide pageant. As there was already a Mrs. Michigan and Mrs. USA in the pageant, she entered representing Serbia.
She revealed, “My motivation was to use the impact and media attention of the Mrs. Worldwide title to advocate for mental health, suicide prevention and related traumatic experiences for all involved.”
While the Birmingham resident enjoys writing, hot yoga and practicing mindfulness and mediation, she is grateful to help others and considers being mother to her three children her greatest title. “The eternal mother in me is always listening and advocating. If I can help any human who is in a place of suffering by alleviating that suffering, I will give it my all.”
She added, “Many people are suffering right now due to the current political atmosphere...If you feel lost, it’s important to create the world you want to live in – to shift from victim to creator. An individual can create a small community around them where they belong, have purpose, and feel safe. The power always lies in how you respond versus how you react. Become what you seek.”
Story: Tracy Donohue
Photo: Matthew Cromwell
