Mirna Ćaćić

I’ve always been really curious, even as a young child, fascinated by the questions of why we are the way we are, how we make decisions, and how we choose the people in our lives. I remember wondering a lot about who I might have become if I had come from a different family or country. What intrigued me most was whether we are like the movie’s protagonists, with predestined fates, or whether we have complete control over the decisions we make in life.

Education and professional experience

My deep curiosity about individuals’ destinies led me to the Faculty of Social Work, where my career journey officially began. I obtained my first counselling experience during my studies through numerous volunteer opportunities and student internships. Additionally, I expanded my horizons by studying abroad. I received my master’s degree in European Comparative Social Studies (MACESS) in the Netherlands and another in Human Rights and Democracy for Southeast Europe in Sarajevo. Living and studying outside the Republic of Croatia broadened my horizons. I became more receptive to new ideas and came to appreciate the importance of culture in our lives, the value of respecting diversity, and the importance of considering the background of the person I approached.

My journey continued at the Centre for Social Welfare, where I gained knowledge of how the social welfare system functions, and later in the NGO sector, where I assisted various vulnerable groups. I have worked with refugees for a while, and this experience has transformed my professional identity. Although it was challenging to work with trauma survivors, it ultimately inspired me to continue studying. I intended to encourage my clients to change their lives by addressing the root causes of the issues rather than just their effects. In addition, I struggled to balance my private and professional life. To conclude, I decided to pursue a career in psychotherapy and selected Transactional Analysis (TA) as my approach. 

Transactional Analysis

TA helped me grow as a person and as a professional, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I found the answers I was looking for about my life, along with practical techniques for working with people who dig deep and show depth and purpose. Beyond its breadth, what appeals most to me is its openness, equality with the client, and ideas and values centred on the notion that everyone is fundamentally okay and capable of improvement. 

I am a member of the Association of Transactional Analysis (UTA) and the European Association for Transactional Analysis (EATA).

I frequently attend workshops and training in different areas of psychotherapy, in addition to Transactional Analysis. I’m currently developing a passion for body-oriented therapy.

I enjoy reading good books, watching TV shows, and spending time with loved ones in my free time. I also use my therapeutic skills to analyse characters from books and TV shows, fortunately or unfortunately for those mentioned in the previous sentence.