Vesna Matić  is a versatile artist and art therapist in residence who enrolled in the Art Therapy Program, Creative Arts Therapies, specialistic postgraduation studies (120 ECTS) at the University of J. J. Strossmayer in Osijek, Croatia (HKO, level 7.2).  She is also a graduate student of Integrative Gestalt in CITIS from Zagreb, Croatia. Vesna  graduated painting (BFA) in 2016 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, completed four years bachelor program (240 ECTS).  She also completed a Master's degree in Business Economics (MEc) in 1998., that enables her to have a better understanding of the business world and everything that comes with the accelerated pace of professional work in offices and corporations (Faculty of Economics and Business , University of Zagreb, Croatia).

 

​Vesna integrates the creative process with psychotherapeutic techniques and has extensive therapeutic experience in working with clients. Her approach to art therapy is integrative, holistic and humanistic while emphasizing the individual's unique experience and self-expression. She completed the Propaedeutics of psychotherapy under the mentorship of Prof. dr. sc. Ante Bagaric at the Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, participating in clinical practice and forensic cases, as well as at the Institute for Addiction and the Institute for Forensic Psychiatry. She developed cooperation with various institutions for group as well as individual therapy (Psychiatric Hospital Sv. Ivan - Jankomir, Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Caritas, Association MI, Association Touch - for blind and deaf, etc.).

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She continuously learns and enhances her knowledge and she completed pedagogical-psychological-didactic-methodological education at the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek (PPDMI), acquiring the teaching competencies necessary for conducting lessons (60 ECTS) in 2013.  She completed an intensive and interactive Applied Behavior Analysis course in St. Louis (USA) specifically designed for children on the autism spectrum. Additionally, she enriched her expertise with an 8-week mindfulness course in Zagreb blending therapeutic techniques to promote mental and emotional balance.  

 

​She applies the knowledge gained from her studies in the university education program in Business Economics, along with her experience while working with corporate clients in group or individual therapy and team building activities.

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Vesna actively paints and advocates for art as a catalyst for change in individuals, society, and the environment.  She organized a solo exhibitions "On the Horizon" in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Omiš in 2024. and "The Blue Connection" in the gallery of Lenka Franulic of the Chilean Embassy in Zagreb in 2023., exhibiting artworks and poems exploring the theme of immigration and immigrants.  She also organized a solo exhibition titled "Dive" in 2022., where she openly revealed and celebrated the transformative power of an artistic process.  

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Memberships: 
European Federation of Art Therapy (EFAT)
Croatian Art Therapy Association (HART)
Association of Gestalt Integrative Psychotherapists in Croatia (DGIPH)

Centre for Integrative Gestalt Psychotherapy and Counseling (CITIS)

Croatian Association of Fine Artists and Art Curators (HULULK)