Milja has worked as a clinical psychologist since 1990, after completing her Diploma in Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury. She had her internship at the Child and Family Mental Health services in Christchurch and then worked for 8 months at the Specialist Services Unit: working for DSW, now known as Oranga Tamariki. Milja moved to The Netherlands for nearly 4 years in late 1990. As she is a native Dutch speaker she was able to work as a clinical psychologist, in psychogeriatrics and as a hospital psychologist, specialising in working with people with burns.

Milja returned to New Zealand in 1994 and lived in Palmerston North until early 2021. She worked for 8 years at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, where she was the senior psychologist and supervised students and other staff. In 2003 Milja went into private practice, based at the Massey Psychology Clinic (Massey University). Her work extended out to working therapeutically with adults; neuropsychology in adults and children, assessments for the Family and District Courts; assessments and therapy for Oranga Tamariki. She was registered with ACC under the contracts for Pain, Psychological services, Sensitive Claims and Neuropsychology. She worked for NZDF and the NZ Police. She provided consultation for the NZ Coroner’s services on adolescent suicide. She supervised students and other colleagues and presented training workshops She was for some time the Chairperson of the Manawatu Branch of the NZ Psychological Society.

Milja has been at the Bealey Centre since 2021 and has become re-acquainted with Christchurch. She accepts referrals for children, adolescents and adults. Therapeutically she uses a range of approaches to fit the client including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness approaches such as ACT. She can provide psychological assessments for a range of concerns such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is registered as a Judicial Clinical Provider, with ACC and with Victim Support.