Work as Deputy to the Federal Ministry of Health, over twenty years of experience in public health, policy development and strategy, and community service. He specializes in field of mental health development in BiH. Goran Čerkez has led the mental health reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the establishing of Mental Health Services in the community as the director of the World Bank project in BiH. He participated in drafting the Action Plan for Mental Health of World Health Organization as the only expert in the region of Southeast Europe. He worked on the mental health strategy in BiH, development of standards and norms for mental health centers, development of accreditation standards, on the implementation of coordinated care and occupational therapy in mental health, on the development of psychosocial disaster support guides, the development of a matrix for the identification of the risk of violence school population, prevention of violence, as well as numerous other activities in the field of mental health. He worked with IOM and the Defense Ministry in BiH on the initiation of psychologists in the armed forces. For the past eight years he coordinated the mental health project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented by XY, and supported by the Swiss government. Goran Čerkez is a invited lecturer on topics related to the development of mental health services at the Faculty of Medicine in Sarajevo, summer schools for health management organized by the United Nations Center for Peace, the Summer School for social workers in Dubrovnik, as well as the Faculty of Criminalistics, Criminology and Security Studies about juvenile violence. He also taught at Human Resources Development Week in the World Bank. As a mental health expert he worked with the World Bank, WHO, IOM and the Council of Europe, ITF, UNICEF, UNFP, Harward Refugee Trauma, the Southeast Europe Health Network and many NGOs. In the area of mental health in the region of Southeast Europe within the Stability Pact, he was a member of the Executive Board of the project "Strengthening Social Cohesion through Mental Health Development". More than 15 years representing Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Southeastern Europe Network, where he has been chairman of the executive committee for three years. Honorary member of the Association of Psychologists of FBiH. For contribution to the development of quality in health care, the development of accreditation standards in mental health awarded by AKAZ, and recognition for the development of health care in the Republic of Moldova. The holder of awards for the development of regional cooperation in South East Europe.
Doc. Bruna Profaca, PhD
Doc. Bruna Profaca, PhD
Clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologist from the Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, institutions specialized in working with traumatized children and their families. The focus of her clinical and research work is the area of stress, trauma, traumatic loss and a crisis in childhood and adolescence, parenting, emotional problems of children and young people, as well as treatment and counseling work with children and families. She is an an external associate at the graduate and postgraduate studies at several faculties of the University of Zagreb and has collaborated on several projects. She is also educator for professionals who work with children in different systems in Croatia and abroad. She has presented and published a number of scientific and professional papers and book chapters.
Prof. Nađa Marić Bojović, MD-PhD
Prof. Nađa Marić Bojović, MD-PhD
Psychiatrist
Prof. dr. sc. Nađa Marić Bojović, MD Psychiatrist, Head of the Department for Scientific Research and Early Interventions in Psychiatry (since 2009) at the Clinic for Psychiatry of the Clinical Center of Serbia, scientific advisor and associate professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Belgrade (since 2016). She is a member of the Council of the Association of Psychiatrists of Serbia, president of the Society for Biological Psychiatry and a member of the Board of Directors of the Serbian Brain Council. She received her PhD in 2003 on the theme of structural neuroimaging in the study of gender differences in schizophrenia. She works on the improvement of diagnosis and treatment of psychoses and mood disorders. She advocates the introduction of methods of early interventions in psychiatry and the development of neuroscience. She is actively involved in several international projects. She also takes part in national projects: Phosphorylation of the glucocorticoid receptor as a biomarker of mood disorders (Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia - subproject manager); Control of energy homeostasis in humans in various pathological conditions (Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Serbia-researcher); Depression in schizophrenia, (Ministry of Science and Technology, head Prof. Dr. M. Jašović-Gašić). She has won several awards and recognitions: Okasha Award for Developing Countries, World Psychiatric Association (2005), AEP Research Award for the best paper published by a young psychiatrist (2004), Young Investigator Award, International Congress on Schizophrenia Research (2003), First Prize University of Belgrade for student research (1991). In 2016, she acquired the title of scientific advisor. As an author or co-author, she has published 70 papers from the SCI list, with about 1000 citations.
Prof. Mirjana Graovac, MD-PhD
Prof. Mirjana Graovac, MD-PhD
Psychiatrist and psychotherapist
Psychiatric Specialist, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist. Education - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, as well as group analysis. In 2003 she defended her doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka with the topic "Styles of coping with stress during the middle phase of adolescence in high school". The founder and head of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Psychiatric Clinic, University Hospital Center Rijeka from 1998. Associate professor at Department of psychiatry and psychological medicine at the Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka and Faculty of Health Studies in Rijeka (undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies). Lecturer at the postgraduate study of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb. Educator in European Programs for Child and Adolescents Integrative Psychotherapy in Zagreb (Croatia's Interdisciplinary Therapeutic Association for Children and Young People HITUDIM), Zadar (at Center for psychotherapy, education and counseling Psihika) and Sarajevo (Bosnian-Herzegovinian Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Association - BHIDAPA). Areas of interest: children and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy; psychodrama as a therapeutic technique. Specific areas of interest: identity development and pathology of identity, depressive disorders of children and adolescents, feeding disorders, disorders related to stress and trauma in children and adolescents, family and child/adolescent with psychological/developmental difficulties.
dr. Ranka Kalinić, MD
dr. Ranka Kalinić, MD
Psychiatrist
Mirela Badurina, PhD
Mirela Badurina, PhD
Psychotherapist
Mirela Badurina, PhD, Gestalt Psychotherapist and Child and Adolescent Integrative Psychotherapist, was born in 1968 in Sarajevo. For the past twenty-five years, she has focused her professional and academic development on the areas of health and well-being of children and young people. She is an exhibitor at numerous national and international congresses and conferences on the topics of health, rights and interests of children. She is the author and co-author of many scientific and professional papers, and European certified psychotherapist. Also, she is the founder and director of the BHIDAPA Association within which there are three centers: European accredited educational programs in the field of child and adolescent integrative psychotherapy and counseling, Interdisciplinary therapeutic centers for the protection of children, young people and families, and a Scientific and professional research center. She is the Chair of the Organizing Committee International Congress of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and editor of the Interdisciplinary Journal of Psychotherapy. She is happily married and a mother of two.
Dr. Giandomenico Bagatin
Dr. Giandomenico Bagatin
Psychotherapist
Giandomenico is a psychologist, psychotherapist, psychotherapy international trainer and author from Trieste, Italy. He's founder and director of Gestalt Play Therapy Italia, a web platform that connects about 1500 children, adolescents and family therapists all around Italy and promote Oaklander Model, Gestalt and humanistic approaches with children. Giandomenico is a contributing member of Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation, trainer and supervisor for the model and Gestalt Play Therapist certified by Felicia Carroll and Violet Oaklander.
Sabina Zijadić Husić
Sabina Zijadić Husić
Psychotherapist
Born on 25.01.1976, married, mother of two. Graduated psychologist, a gestalt psychotherapist and integrative psychotherapist for children and adolescents. She finished primary and secondary school in Sarajevo, where she also has graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology in 2001. In 1999 she started to gain working experience by volunteering in programs for psychosocial support and help to children affected by war. Since 2000 she was working on an experimental program with a group of gifted children in the preschool institution. In 2001 she was engaged in the NVO World Vision project, by working with children and adolescents traumatized during the war. During the project, she was working on providing support, counselling and psychotherapeutic treatment for parents and teachers. Since 2009, she has been engaged in the Center for hearing and speech rehabilitation in Sarajevo, working with children with damaged hearing and speech development disorders. Within a private practice, she was working as a psychotherapist with young children and adults, through individual and couples’ therapy, as well as workshops for personal growth and development. Since the establishment of the Interdisciplinary Therapeutic Center for the Protection of Children, Young People, and Family BHIDAPA, she was engaged in the positions: deputy director of BHIDAPA, psychotherapist, supervisor, and the assistant in teaching an educational program for children’s and adolescent integrative psychotherapy and counselling.
Joanna Hewitt Evans, MSc
Joanna Hewitt Evans, MSc
Psychotherapist, supervisor
Gestalt Psychotherapist UKCP, EAIP Integrative Psychotherapist, Supervisor, is director of EUROCPS, the European Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies founded by the late Ken Evans. She is vice chair external relations, EIATSCYP and a visiting trainer on psychotherapy training programmes in several countries in Europe. She has a particular interest in the links between shame, attachment, trauma and affect regulation. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist Joanna's background was in therapeutic social work with children and families and she spent many years managing projects related to abuse. Family and friends, children and grandchildren, biological, step and adopted are central to her life.
Prof. Ivana Zečević, PhD
Prof. Ivana Zečević, PhD
Psychotherapist
Associate professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Banja Luka, in the department of educational and school psychology. She has been focusing on her interest in children and adolescent psychology for 18 years, working in the field of mental health of children and young people in the educational system, both in the scientific - research work, as well as REBT psychotherapist under supervision in recent years. She is particularly concerned with examining the internalising and externalizing responses of children and youth in the school environment. In addition to scientific - research work, she is particularly active in the field of prevention and works to make the school a safe place for the growth and development of every child.
MA Jon Blend
MA Jon Blend
Psychotherapist
MA Jon Blend is an UKCP certified psychiatrist for children and adults, author, supervisor, trainer and musician. His past includes 30 years of experience working with adults, children, adolescents and families in the field of mental health care. Jon works as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in London.
Dr. Oana Maria Popescu
Dr. Oana Maria Popescu
Psychotherapist
Oana Maria Popescu is a trainer and supervisor in integrative psychotherapy, integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, expressive therapies and coaching, founding president of the Association for Integrative Research, Counseling and Psychotherapy in Romania. She is the training standards officer with the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy, member of several European and International Professional Associations, editor-in-chief for the Journal of Integrative Research, Counseling and Psychotherapy and manager of the “Psiho Blue Training and Research Center” in Romania. Oana Maria Popescu published numerous articles and books on integrative psychotherapy and is the founder of the integrative-strategic approach in psychotherapy.
Mia Roje Đapić, MSc
Mia Roje Đapić, MSc
Psychologist
Mia Roje Đapić is a psychologist in Child and Youth Protection Center of Zagreb, also a PhD student in prevention science. She is currently finishing child and adolescent integrative psychotherapy training, and had completed a four-year training in integrative psychotherapy, as well as shorter trainings in other psychotherapeutic modalities (art therapy, play therapy, TFCBT, emotional focused therapy, attacment based therapy). She is an NLP practitioner and master, long-term Brave Phone’s volunteer, educator and supervisor. She is an executive editor of the book “Science and Art of Nurture”, in which authors several chapters, and also a co-author of book “Child in the center (of conflict)”. She coordinated a national research about preschoolers’ Screen Time, published several expert and scientific papers, as well as contributed to many national and international child protection conferences. She is an EAPAP’s member and was a member of organizational board of their European conference this year. She worked as an educator in UNICEF, OSCE and Terres de Hommes projects.
Corina Elena Antoaneta Levu
Corina Elena Antoaneta Levu
Psychotherapist
Corina Elena Antoaneta Levu is a trainer in integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy and head of the child psychotherapy department at the Association for Integrative Research, Counselling and Psychotherapy in Romania. She is also specialised in family psychotherapy, speech therapy and integrative psychotherapy, and a supervisor in the area of special therapy and pedagogy for children with disabilities. Corina has been working as a speech therapist in a school for special needs children since 1998 and as a child psychotherapist since 2005. She is currently teaching child psychotherapy and expressive therapies.
Katarina Višić, MD
Katarina Višić, MD
MD and psychotherapist
Katarina Višić is graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade and specialized in Rational Emotional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and acquired the title of RE & KBT psychotherapist. In recent years, she has been educating and focusing on working with children and adolescents. She is currently in the final year of education in Child and Adolescent Integrative Psychotherapy. In her practice she uses an integrative approach: rational emotional cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), schema therapy (schema therapy, Jeffrey Young) and dialectical behavioral therapy. She is the founder of the Center for Psychotherapy and Psychological Counseling Dr Visic in Belgrade, Serbia.
Maja Tursunović
Maja Tursunović
Maja Tursunović is Manager of the project "Justice for Every Child" implemented by the Criminal Policy Research Center, Sarajevo in cooperation with UNICEF BiH. Born in 1977 in Sarajevo. She graduated from the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Tuzla (2002) on the inclusion of children with disabilities in the regular education system, and received her master's degree in Management of State and Humanitarian Organizations from the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies at the University of Sarajevo (2012). At the beginning of her career, she worked in civil society organizations in BiH in jobs that included working with children and people with disabilities. From 2006 to 2018, she worked in the international organization "World Vision in BiH". In that period, in addition to designing and managing programs and processes, she focused her work on the child protection sector and through an advisory role dedicated her commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable children in BiH. During her career, she participated in several studies that addressed the vulnerability of children in BiH, the phenomenon of child neglect and other topics related to the current migrant crisis in BiH.
Teodora Minčić
Teodora Minčić
spec. med. psih.
Teodora Minčić is a psychologist, a specialist in Medical Psychology. Since 1993, she has been working with children and adolescents at the Clinic for Children and Adolescents at the Institute of Mental Health in Belgrade. In 2003 she completed her specialization in Medical Psychology. Besides psychodiagnostic work with children and adolescents, her main area of interest is working with children who were abused and neglected, or exposed to manipulation during the divorce process. She has been a member of the Unit for the Protection of Children against Abuse and Neglect at the Institute of Mental Health ever since its establishment in 2000. She has also been a permanent expert witness in the cases related to children, divorce, abuse and neglect since 2006. She has participated in the courses related to training and establishment of the interdisciplinary teams for the protection of children from abuse and neglect, organized by Admire and Intercare from the Netherlands, Save the Children, and the Team for Child Protection of the Seattle Children’s Hospital. She continued her education by paying regular visits to the Zagreb Child and Youth Protection Center. She took part in training and supervision related to parental alienation, organized by Dr. Karen Woodall and Nick Woodall at the Center in 2019. Since 2010, she has been an educator in the project ‘Child and adolescent violence prevention’ organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia and the World Health Organization, and she also participated in the making of the handbook related to this program. She is also an educator in the project of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia called ‘The implementation of the special protocol of the healthcare system in the protection of children from abuse and neglect’ and one of the editors of the 2012 and 2019 editions of the handbook and the poster related to this project. She is the author of the chapters in this handbook which tackle the issues of children who witness domestic violence and parental manipulation in the divorce process. She has been an educator in the project „The divorce end child protection“ for the judicary experts and experts in social welfare organized by the Child Rights centre in2020.
Elma Omersoftić, MSc
Elma Omersoftić, MSc
Psychologist, Psychotherapist
Elma Omersoftić je magistar psiholoških nauka u području nasilja u zajednici među mlađim adolescentima. Rođena je u Sarajevu, 1983. godine. Zaposlena kao psiholog u osnovnoj školi već 14 godina. Diplomu Certificiranog psihoterapeuta Transakcione analize stiče u Oslu u julu, 2013. godine. Psihoterapijsko iskustvo u individualnom i grupnom radu sa djecom i adolescentima stekla je kroz rad u školi. 10 godina bavi se psihoterapijom sa odraslima. Sa BHiDAP-om sarađuje kao individualni psihoterapeut za edukante iz Dječije i adolescentne integrativne psihoterapije. Supervizorica je na Programu sekundarne prevencije neprihvatljivih oblika ponašanja i zaštite djece u Kantonu Sarajevo ispred Ministarstva za obrazovanje nauku i mlade već 5 godina. Autorica je Priručnika o prevenciji nasilja nad i među djecom, kao i naučnih članaka u polju izloženosti mlađih adolescenata nasilju u zajednici u vidu direktne žrtve i počinitelja. Angažovana kao ekspert iz oblasti mentalnog zdravlja djece i odraslih kao i nasilja među djecom i adolescentima od strane domaćih i međunarodnih organizacija. Članica je Interresorne radne grupe Vlade FBiH za izradu i provođenje Akcionog plana za prevenciju i borbu protiv terorizma u Federaciji. Učestvuje u psihoterapijskom radu i reintegraciji žena i djece povratnica sa Sirijskog ratišta od decembra, 2019. godine.
Igor Jurić
Igor Jurić
Born in 1973 in Subotica. A long-term athlete, he played football in the club "Spartak" from Subotica and several smaller clubs. At the end of his career, he worked as a coach, first in his home club, in Subotica, and then abroad: in Zurich and Brussels. After a tragic event in the family, he returned to Serbia, where he is one of the founders of the software company "Jiway". In addition, he founded the "Tijana Jurić" Foundation in 2015, in order to improve the safety of children in Serbia. Within the "Tijana Jurić" Foundation, he held about 400 workshops, lectures and forums for children, youth, students, parents and professionals; organized dozens of round tables, panel discussions, forums, professional seminars and public debates on child safety, organized three professional conferences "Safety and Responsibility", two children's ethno festivals "Voice of Angels", conducted two successful advocacy actions and initiated two legal changes. He received trainings for working with children on the organization of "Child Focus" from Belgium, the Center for Missing and Abused Children, from Osijek, as well as training of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, a basic course for trainers and a specialist course on peer violence. domestic violence, high-tech crime, human trafficking and sectarian activities. In addition to his mother tongue, Serbian and English, he speaks French, which he uses every day in business communication. In the last four years, he has been awarded various recognitions: listed among the twenty most important people in Serbia ("Blic" in 2015), "Man of the Year" (Portal "Mondo" in 2016), "Man of the Year 2017" (NIN, 2018). .), "Communicator of the Year" (Serbian Public Relations Association, 2019).
Nada Grahovac, PhD
Nada Grahovac, PhD
lawyer
Nada Grahovac was born in Banja Luka, where she completed primary school and Grammar school. She graduated from the University of Law in Banja Luka, as honors student. She passed her bar examination in 2002., defended her master thesis in 2008. and in 2013, defended her doctoral dissertation with the topic 'Institutional Forms of Human Rights Protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina'. In accordance with the Decision of National Assembly, in 2009., she was appointed as the first Ombudsman for children in Republic of Srpska, independent institution, which protects, monitors and promotes the rights of the child and performed the function in two full terms in office. She was a participant in a number of international conferences, with the topic of promotion and protection of human rights, in numerous professional meetings and seminars for protection of rights and interests of children; she is an active member of Children’s Rights Ombudsmen Network in South-East Europe and European Ombudsman Institute. She published several professional papers in the area of protection of the rights of the child and participated in drafting process of a number of significant documents referring to children and realization of their rights, such as: Protocol on the pr