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Marianne Martinus Valentic
Gestalt Therapist
I am a Gestalt therapist and counselor based in Zagreb, working with individuals navigating anxiety, life transitions, career questions and personal growth. I provide therapy in English, German & Croatian (online/i.p.).
I specialise in:
About me
Hello, I’m Marianne.
My path into psychotherapy grew from a long-standing interest in people, relationships, and the ways we navigate change and life challenges and make sense of our life experiences. Before becoming a therapist, I worked in areas such as education, career counseling, and human resources. Through these experiences I gained a deep understanding of the personal and professional challenges many people face — from career questions and life transitions to stress, questions of identity, relationship difficulties or a general sense of feeling stuck in life. This eventually led me to train in Gestalt psychotherapy and dedicate my work to supporting people in their personal growth and emotional wellbeing.
Today I work as a Gestalt therapist and counselor at PsihoPLANET in Zagreb, offering therapy and counseling in English, German and Croatian, both online and in person. I often work with adults who are experiencing anxiety, stress, panic attacks, life or career transitions, or who simply feel stuck and want to better understand themselves and their direction in life. I also work with expats who are navigating the emotional and practical challenges of living abroad.
In therapy, I believe that each person is the expert on their own life. My role is not to provide ready-made answers, but to create a safe and supportive space where you can explore your experiences, gain awareness and new insights and discover your own resources for change without being judged.
Clients often describe my approach as open, understanding, respectful and direct. For me, therapy is first and foremost a human encounter — a place where you can slow down, reflect, and be heard and seen without judgment.
I speak:
Location:
Media Gallery
Approach
My therapeutic work is grounded in Gestalt therapy, a humanistic approach that emphasizes awareness, authenticity and personal responsibility. In our sessions we explore how your experiences, emotions, and relationships are shaping your life and how past experiences or beliefs make it hard for you to have a fulfilled life in the present.
My style is open, honest, supportive and collaborative. I see therapy as a shared process where we explore your experiences together rather than searching for quick answers or solutions.
In the first sessions we will focus on understanding your current situation, what brings you to therapy at this moment, your life context, and what you hope to gain from therapy. From there we explore your goals and what kind of change you would like to see in your life. Depending on your needs, our work may include:
- exploring emotions and patterns in relationships
- becoming more aware of thoughts and behaviors that keep you stuck
- strengthening self-acceptance and personal boundaries
- exploring anf developing new ways of responding to difficult situations
I always adapt my approach to each person individually. Some people come with a specific challenge they want to work through, while others are looking for a space to reflect, grow and better understand themselves. Both are welcome. One persone might prefer a more reflective conversation, while others benefit from more experiential exercises and practical exploration. Together we find the pace and style that works best for you.
Experience
Since 2010, I have been working as a Gestalt therapist and as a counselor at the student counseling center “Nisi sam/a,” where I support young adults in dealing with personal, academic, and emotional challenges. Over the past three years, I have been primarily dedicated to working as a Gestalt psychotherapist, providing individual therapy to clients in Croatian, German, and English.
Alongside my therapeutic practice, I integrate my background in career counseling, supporting clients in navigating professional challenges, finding direction, and aligning their work life with their personal values.
Earlier in my career, I gained experience in the corporate sector, which, together with my training in Human Resource Management, continues to inform my understanding of workplace dynamics and professional development.
Education
I completed a four-year training program in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the IGW Institute in Würzburg, Germany, which laid the foundation for my work as a psychotherapist and my approach to supporting personal growth and self-awareness. I hold the European Certificate of Psychotherapy.
In addition, I have expanded my therapeutic work through further education in Somatic Experiencing (workshops with Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Diane Poole Heller, and Kavi Gemin, 2022), focusing on body-oriented and trauma-informed approaches.
I also completed training in Phototherapy and Art Therapy (seminars with Laura Jimenez-Alonso and Ulle Halkola, 2014–2020), integrating creative methods into my practice.
Earlier in my professional path, I pursued training in Human Resource Management at the Volksbank Academy in Austria, where I gained insight into organizational systems and career development.
I hold a university degree in Education with a focus on German and English Language and Literature, completed in Zagreb.
Services
Individual Session
Insurances
