Psychology

Matea Medak is the Head of the Psychology Team at Uglešić Polyclinic, where she provides psychological counseling and psychodiagnostic assessment and coordinates the work of the psychology team.

She completed her graduate studies in Psychology at the University of Zadar. She has gained professional experience in both clinical and educational settings, working with children, adolescents and adults through psychological counseling, assessment and psychodiagnostic procedures.

She continues to develop her expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and has received additional training in the use of the WISC-IV and Bender-Gestalt tests, as well as various tools for working with children.

At Uglešić Polyclinic, she coordinates the work of psychologists and contributes to the development of psychological programs and services focused on the mental health of children, adolescents and adults.

Ana Kostović is a psychologist and neuropsychologist with a professional focus on clinical neuropsychology, cognitive assessment, and neuropsychological assessment of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.

She completed her studies in Psychology at the University of Padua, where she also obtained a Master's degree in Neuroscience and Neuropsychological Rehabilitation. She further advanced her expertise through postgraduate studies in Clinical Neuropsychology.

Her professional experience includes work at the Department of Neurology of University Hospital Centre Split, I.R.C.C.S. Ospedale San Camillo in Venice, and the Department of Neurology at Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova. Since 2024, she has been a lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split.

Her work combines clinical practice, neuropsychological assessment, and academic research, with a particular focus on understanding cognitive functioning and its changes.

Emma Sasso, MSc in Psychology, is a psychologist at Uglešić Polyclinic, where she provides psychological support to children, adults and families.

She graduated in Psychology from the University of Zadar. She gained professional experience working in a kindergarten, where she provided psychological support to children, parents and educators. Through volunteering at a nursing home, in a therapeutic horseback riding programme for children with disabilities, and with the Croatian Red Cross, she gained experience working with diverse populations and in different contexts of psychological support.

She continuously pursues professional development in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with a focus on further developing her professional competencies and providing high-quality psychological support based on contemporary professional and scientific knowledge.

Marija Banovac, MSc in Psychology, is a psychologist at Uglešić Polyclinic, where she provides psychological support and works with a diverse range of clients.

She graduated in Psychology from the University of Zadar. She gained professional experience working with children and parents in a preschool setting, providing psychological support.

Throughout her education and professional development, she has participated in various volunteering activities, including tutoring support in schools, sports activities for children with developmental disabilities, volunteering with older adults, and activities organised by the Croatian Red Cross. Through these experiences, she has developed competencies in working with children, young people and adults, as well as experience in various areas of psychological support.

She continues to pursue professional development in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), with a focus on further developing her professional competencies and providing high-quality psychological support based on contemporary professional knowledge.

Iva Kotarac is a psychologist at Uglešić Polyclinic, with professional experience in working with school-aged children, psychological counseling and psychodiagnostic assessment.

She graduated in Psychology in 2022. During her studies, she gained practical experience in clinical psychology, including the administration and assessment of psychological tests, participation in clinical psychological interviews and group therapy.

She completed her professional internship and subsequently continued working at Maestral Community Services Centre, Miljenko i Dobrila Branch in Kaštel Lukšić, where she worked with school-aged children. Her work focused particularly on psychological counseling and assessment of children, as well as collaboration with the Croatian Institute for Social Work and primary and secondary schools.

She is trained in the administration of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV-HR) and the Bender-Gestalt Visual-Motor Test. She has also gained additional experience as an external associate of Zvono Association for People with Intellectual Disabilities in Split, where she conducted workshops for its users.

Mirjana Sučević, MSc in Psychology is a psychologist at Uglešić Polyclinic, with professional experience in clinical psychology and psychiatric care.

She graduated in Psychology from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Osijek. Her graduate thesis focused on anxiety disorders and was awarded the “Bujas Golden Badge” for an outstanding graduate thesis.

She gained her clinical experience at University Hospital Centre Split, where she works as a clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry. She continuously advances her professional training in cognitive-behavioral therapies, which she practices under supervision. She has also completed training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT).

Her approach is individualized and focused on understanding the needs and specific circumstances of each person.

Gorana Jerković, Specialist in Clinical Psychology, is a psychologist working with children, young people and adults at Uglešić Polyclinic. She is also an integrative psychotherapist and a PhD candidate at the School of Medicine, University of Split, where she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Translational Research in Biomedicine.

She works at University Hospital Split, at the Department of Paediatrics, primarily within the Department of Paediatric Oncology, Haematology and Medical Genetics. Her clinical work includes psychological assessment, as well as individual and group psychotherapy with children, young people and adults.

She completed her training in integrative psychotherapy in Zagreb through a programme accredited by the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP). She has also received additional training in psycho-oncology, palliative care and psychological crisis intervention.

She has particular experience working with people affected by cancer and their families, providing professional psychological support as they navigate the challenges of illness, treatment and its consequences.

Neda Pleić, University Specialist in Clinical Psychology, is a psychologist working with children, adolescents and adults at Uglešić Polyclinic. She has gained professional experience in clinical psychology, particularly through her work with children and adolescents at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinic of Psychiatry, University Hospital Split.

She graduated in Psychology and completed her specialisation in Clinical Psychology at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Developmental Psychology.

She continues to pursue professional development in cognitive behavioural therapies and has completed training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Schema Therapy and mindfulness. She applies this knowledge in her work with a range of psychological difficulties and challenges, using an individualised approach tailored to each person’s age, needs and circumstances.

She is a member of the Croatian Psychological Society and the Croatian Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, and has served for many years as Vice President of the Croatian Psychological Association – Split-Dalmatia County Branch.

At Uglešić Polyclinic, she works with children, adolescents and adults, combining her clinical experience with continuous professional development.