Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy - psychological support and counselling · mental health and resilience

Learn how to feel and live better

PsihoEdukacija - for high goals and limited time

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Individual support

Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy and counselling for sustainable changes in how you live, how you feel and how you function.

Frequently asked questions
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Leadership and mental health

Support for leaders in developing mental resilience and long-term capacity to lead themselves and others.

Frequently asked questions
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Employee and organizational wellbeing

Developing psychological safety, emotional intelligence and stress management in the workplace.

Frequently asked questions
Individual support

Change begins with understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions and behavior.

When we learn to recognize automatic thoughts and become aware of how certain behavioral patterns develop and are maintained, it becomes easier to learn new ways of thinking, cope with life’s challenges and build a better relationship with ourselves.

This is a process we go through together - gradually and safely.

Individual support

Psychotherapy and counselling

Cognitive behavioral framework

The word “cognitive” refers to thoughts, perception, memories, beliefs and interpretations of everything around us, even when we are not aware of them.
The word “behavioral” refers to behavior.
Through individual support, we work with both how we think and how we behave so that we can feel more satisfied, function better and live a more fulfilled life overall.

Areas of support

CBT has proven effective for many psychological difficulties and disorders. The focus of psychotherapy may include depression, anxiety disorders (panic, social anxiety, fear of public speaking, health anxiety), obsessions and compulsions, PTSD, low self-esteem, stress management, irritability and anger, burnout, perfectionism, self-criticism, social skills and relationships. Cognitive behavioral techniques can also be applied to many other areas of personal development.

Leadership and mental health

Support for those who lead others

Developing the capacity to lead people, relationships and decisions well in a complex environment.

A stable leader is not a leader without pressure.

Support for leaders focuses on building their inner capacity, which is why better performance often appears as a natural result.

  • managing energy, stress and long-term pressure
  • self-awareness, self-regulation and proactive responsibility
  • perfectionism, burnout prevention and sustainable effectiveness
See frequently asked questions for Leadership and mental health
Razgovor lidera u profesionalnom okruženju

Research in psychology, neuroscience and leadership development shows that one important step toward change is understanding how our brain works. When we better understand how stress, emotional reactions, behavioral patterns and habits develop, it becomes easier to build new ways of thinking, communicating and making decisions.

Employee and organizational wellbeing

An approach focused on development, values and concrete goals in the workplace

Suradnički timski razgovor u profesionalnom radioničkom okruženju
Employee and organizational wellbeing

A practical and structured cognitive behavioral approach in work with employees does not offer theory only. It helps them develop concrete skills that contribute to organizational goals.

Psychological safety
Developing trust
Emotional intelligence
Stress management
See frequently asked questions for Employee and organizational wellbeing
About Anica

PsihoEdukacija is like opening a window in a darkened room.

When a room has been dark for a long time, we often move automatically, blindly, stumbling over the same things again without understanding why it keeps happening.
PsihoEdukacija brings more clarity and understanding.

Anica Vrlec Bartolić
About me

Anica Vrlec Bartolić

For more than 15 years, I have worked as an HR and leadership consultant, helping individuals and organizations face challenges related to relationships and organizational culture.

I hold degrees in psychology and business economics. My work connects behavioral science, business consulting and individual support so that change can be sustainable and applicable in everyday life.

When challenges are deeper and more complex, I connect leadership and HR consulting with cognitive behavioral methods so that we work both with visible behaviors and with the patterns behind them that make change more difficult.

I support individuals, leaders and teams facing stress, pressure, change, burnout or challenges in communication and collaboration.

I have worked with regional and global organizations across different industries, including IT, FMCG, life sciences and management consulting. In my everyday work I focus on people development and organizational culture, as well as employee integration in M&A processes.
I am a member of the Croatian Association for Behavioral-Cognitive Therapies and the Croatian Psychological Chamber, a trainee in cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, and I lead PsihoEdukacija.

I would be glad to explore how we can work together.

If you are wondering how to begin

See answers to frequently asked questions or get in touch through the contact form.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ for individuals
What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most researched and effective psychotherapy approaches. CBT helps people understand the connection between thoughts, emotions and behavior. It is practical, develops concrete skills and involves the client actively.

The goal of therapy is to learn to recognize patterns that burden you and develop healthier ways of coping with life challenges.

What problems can therapy help with?

CBT can help with anxiety, stress, panic attacks, low mood, low self-esteem, perfectionism, burnout, relationship difficulties, grief, life changes and many other challenges.

You do not need to have a “big problem” to seek support. Many people come to therapy because they want to understand themselves better, improve relationships or learn healthier ways to cope with everyday pressures. CBT helps you gradually become your “own therapist.”

What does the first session look like?

The first session is primarily a chance to get to know each other. We talk about what brought you to therapy, how you currently feel, which challenges you are facing and what you would like to change or understand better.

You do not need to have prepared answers or tell everything about yourself right away. It is enough to come with what feels important now. The pace of therapy is adapted to you, your needs and your sense of safety.

How long does the therapy process last?

The length of therapy depends on the topic we work on, your goals and your life circumstances. CBT is structured and focused on specific problems, so many people notice initial shifts after a few sessions.

Psychological counselling usually lasts up to 10 sessions, while psychotherapy for most emotional difficulties and disorders, such as depression and anxiety, often lasts around 20 sessions, most commonly once a week.

Do I have to talk about the past?

It is not necessary to go through your entire past in detail if that is not useful for your current problem. CBT mostly focuses on what is happening now: how you think, feel and respond in everyday situations.

Still, sometimes it is important to understand earlier experiences so we can better connect patterns that repeat today.

Will I receive tasks between sessions?

Yes. In CBT, short exercises, notes or practical tasks are often used to help apply what we discuss in therapy to everyday life.

Does going to therapy mean I am weak?

No. Seeking help is a sign of courage, responsibility and a wish for change. Therapy can be a space where you get the opportunity to pause, understand yourself and learn a different way to care for yourself.

How can I know whether a therapist is right for me?

It is important that you feel safe, heard and respected with your therapist. A good therapeutic relationship is based on trust, collaboration and the feeling that you can be authentic.

Can CBT be done online?

Yes, CBT can also be delivered online. Online sessions can be just as structured, safe and focused on specific goals as in-person sessions.

Is there evidence that CBT works?

Yes. CBT is one of the most researched forms of psychotherapy. Many studies show that it can bring relatively quick results, and over the long term it has proven effective because achieved results can be maintained after therapy ends.

FAQ for leaders
How does a leader’s mental health affect team quality?

The way you manage your own stress, emotions and pressure as a leader often shapes how your entire team functions. When you operate under high pressure for a long time without room for recovery and reflection, the consequences often show up in relationships and the quality of collaboration.

What happens when leaders lead under pressure for a long time without support for themselves?

Many leaders develop the ability to function under pressure for a long time, but this often comes at a cost: increased stress, emotional exhaustion and a constant sense of pressure.

When a leader has no space for reflection and support, it becomes easier to slip into “survival mode.” Support for leaders is therefore not a sign of weakness, but an important part of sustainable and responsible leadership of oneself and others.

How does support for leaders help them lead people through change, conflict and uncertainty?

In times of change, people often do not need perfect answers from leaders. They need stability, clarity and good communication.

Support for leaders can help with understanding one’s own stress reactions, managing pressure, setting healthier boundaries and developing communication skills needed to lead people through complex situations.

Should leaders seek support only when burnout or crisis appears?

No. More and more leaders and organizations seek support preventively, as part of individual development and long-term organizational sustainability. The greatest value often appears before stress and exhaustion turn into burnout.

Can online support be effective enough for leaders with dynamic schedules?

Yes. The online format enables flexibility and continuity of support regardless of location or schedule and can be just as effective as in-person work.

FAQ for organizations
Should organizations invest in employee mental health?

Yes. Investing in employee mental health is not only a wellbeing issue, but also an important prerequisite for long-term organizational effectiveness. When people feel psychologically safer, supported and better equipped to cope with stress, the organization becomes more resilient and ready for change.

What do your services for organizations include?

Work with organizations is shaped around specific needs, challenges and the organization’s current stage of development. It can include psychoeducation, workshops and individual support for employees and leaders in the areas of mental health, stress, burnout, team communication, resilience and change management.

Does an organization need to have a serious problem to seek this kind of support?

No. The greatest value often comes when mental health and people development are approached preventively. Support is especially useful during periods of growth, change, increased pressure or leadership capacity development.

What do workshops and psychoeducational sessions look like?

Workshops are practical, interactive and focused on real challenges in an organizational environment. The focus is not only on transferring new knowledge, but also on helping participants better understand their own behavioral patterns, interpersonal dynamics, stress reactions and communication styles.

Can education and support be delivered online?

Yes. Educational sessions, workshops, individual meetings and counselling can be delivered in person, online or in a hybrid format, depending on the organization’s needs.

Contact

Send a short message for a first conversation.

A few sentences are enough to say whether you are looking for support for yourself, a leader, a team or an organization.

Contact information Anica Vrlec Bartolić

Zagreb, Croatia

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First contact

Briefly describe what you are looking for.

After you send your inquiry, the message is forwarded to the contact address of PsihoEdukacija.