Lejla Alagić

Master of Psychology, Accredited Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapist (EABCT Certificate – European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies) My name is Lejla Alagić, and I work as a psychotherapist. I hold a Master’s degree in Psychology and accreditation in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with an EABCT certificate. But what may matter more than my diplomas is that I, too, am learning every day how to live—honestly, gently, and in line with what truly matters to me. I’ve had the privilege, again and again, of sitting with people who believed they were lost, broken, or “too soft for this world”- and witnessing how extraordinary strength can grow from that softness. When we touch the place where our values live, a miracle doesn’t happen. Life happens-authentic, raw, messy, and precious. In therapy, when we meet a client’s deepest values, those are the moments that remind me why I do this work-because that is where the real power of human change lies. In the therapy space, I strive to see the whole person. Not only what hurts, but what is still alive. The dream that hides. The longing not forgotten. The strength you may not yet know you carry. After finishing my psychology studies, I pursued further training in psychotherapy and chose Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Over years of practice and professional development, I found my deepest connection with third-wave CBT approaches—especially Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)—which have become the foundation of my work. This combination has proven highly effective with a wide range of life challenges while leaving room for warmth, humanity, and deeper understanding. Alongside my professional experience, sustained personal work has been essential—helping me become aware of and feel my own pain, and to find my inner compass. I believe that suffering, though inevitable, can be a path toward what matters most in our lives. My areas of work include: Anxiety and panic attacks Depression Traumatic experiences Stress and professional burnout Parenting and child-rearing challenges Infertility Chronic illness and pain Couples counseling Work with adolescents Some of these topics also hold special personal meaning for me-which further deepens my relationship with each client. I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s studies in psychology in Sarajevo. I finished a four-year psychotherapy training at the Center for CBT in Banja Luka under Dr. Igor Krnetić, where I now also serve as a supervisor. Since 2016 I have been employed at the Center for Social Work, where I work daily with adolescents and adults facing complex life challenges. Some of the most vulnerable groups have entrusted me with their care, and I have had the privilege to support and witness their inner changes-even when change seemed impossible. I have also worked as an external associate at the Faculty of Education in Bihać in the field of psychology, and collaborated with numerous organizations and institutions such as Save the Children, the Non-Formal Education Network, and Syracuse University – Maxwell School. I’ve had the honor to learn from internationally recognized experts, including Dr. Russ Harris. I translated his self-help book The Happiness Trap into Croatian, and an interview I conducted with him was published in Večernji list. Beyond my education and experience, my family has shaped me most. I am a mother of two, and my days often weave together tears, laughter, and moments of connection—with nature, with a book, with yoga—and with myself. I don’t offer quick fixes. I offer presence. I offer space. And the conviction that suffering is not weakness but a trace-a signpost toward what truly matters to you. If we set out together, we’ll go side by side. You know the terrain. I carry the map.