Dunja Cigić
Gavrilović, PhD

Professor, Psychologist, Artist, Writer, and Founder of Symbolotherapy®

Hi, I’m Dunja, and I’d like to share my journey with you—a journey that led me to create Symbolotherapy®, a transformative method that integrates the wisdom of psychology, spirituality, creativity, and the profound power of symbols.

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

I am deeply grateful to my teachers, the giants, each of whom has made an enormous contribution to me being where I am and who I am today.

A Journey Beyond Traditional Approaches

Throughout my academic and professional career, I immersed myself in various psychological and therapeutic disciplines: mental health, clinical psychology, transpersonal psychology, Jungian dream analysis, and shamanic practices. I spent four years in a group for Jungian dream analysis, completed education in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and earned a diploma from the Albert Ellis Institute in New York. I also gained numerous diplomas and titles. Yet, despite all this knowledge, I felt something was missing—something different that could explain my inner world, full of synchronicities and magical experiences.

My doctoral dissertation focused on gratitude, an emotion that deeply fascinated me due to its profound effect on happiness and well-being. I explored how cultivating gratitude can significantly enhance emotional health and life satisfaction. This research didn’t just inform my academic understanding; it became a valuable, integral part of Symbolotherapy®, playing an important role in helping individuals find balance, heal emotional wounds, and foster deeper spiritual growth.

While traditional psychological approaches offered valuable insights, they didn’t fully embrace the profound spiritual visions and symbolic dimensions I experienced in my own life. Through personal visions and spiritual encounters, I realized that true transformation occurs not only through psychological analysis but in the deeper, often unseen layers of the unconscious—where symbols come to life and guide us toward personal and spiritual awakening. This insight became the cornerstone of Symbolotherapy®, a method that integrates both psychological wisdom and spiritual exploration to unlock lasting change.

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The Vision Behind Symbolotherapy®: A Lifelong Exploration of Inner Realms

From a young age, I began to experience vivid visions—powerful symbols, images, and messages that felt deeply connected to both the spiritual and unconscious realms. These visions were not fleeting moments, but profound, living encounters. They led me not to believe, but to know that there is a deeper layer of reality waiting to be explored and understood.

Through these experiences, I came to realize that the inner world—the world of symbols, visions, and unconscious wisdom—holds the key to true transformation.

Symbolotherapy® is the culmination of this personal journey—an approach that blends the wisdom of psychological education with deep spiritual exploration. It’s a method that helps you connect with your own living symbols, unlocking psychological and spiritual truths that lead to lasting change. My approach has been strongly influenced by Vedic philosophy, Hinduism, and yoga.

A Journey of Artistic Expression and Spiritual Connection

Through my deep connection with the spiritual self and the symbolic dimensions I began to explore, something incredible happened—I found myself painting. This wasn’t just ordinary painting; it was a profound form of Spiritual Painting, an artistic expression that emerged as a direct result of my spiritual journey and the guidance of my inner symbols.

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The act of painting became a powerful way for me to integrate and express the insights I received from the spiritual realm. These paintings are not just abstract images—they are living symbols, each one carrying deep meaning, messages, and transformative energy.

As a natural extension of this process, I held two significant exhibitions: “Floating in Light” and “Creation”. These exhibitions were not just showcases of my artwork, but representations of my inner spiritual journey, expressed through vibrant colors, forms, and symbols. Each piece told a story of personal and universal transformation, reflecting the wisdom I encountered during my deep inner work and connection with the symbolic world.

In addition to my paintings, I also began to channel poetic expressions, leading to the publication of my poetry collection, “Cosmic Messenger”—a collection of verses inspired by the symbols and messages I encountered during my spiritual and therapeutic journey. Each poem reflects a deep connection to the cosmic realms, offering wisdom and guidance for those on their own path of transformation.

These creative outlets—painting, writing, and exhibiting—are not just artistic endeavors for me; they are essential parts of my spiritual and therapeutic practice. They allow me to further embody the wisdom and messages that I channel, and they bring a new dimension to the therapeutic work I do through Symbolotherapy®. My heart’s mission is to help all of you find your own language for expression, because we are created to create. Creative energy is not just about painting, writing, or making art—it is the life force connected to our vital functions, making us unique or sometimes stuck in something that doesn’t connect to our true selves. Therefore, creative expression becomes a very important part of Symbolotherapy®.

Dedication to Education and Shaping Future Generations

As a professor and educator, I believe that education is not just about transferring knowledge, but also about shaping awareness of the importance of creativity, inner balance, and spiritual development. Throughout my teaching career, I have been dedicated to shaping future generations of psychologists, educators, and teachers, helping them understand and apply these crucial dimensions in their work with others.

I teach courses such as Art Therapy, Mental Health, Psychology of Adulthood, and Psychology of Aging. Through these subjects, I aim to pass on the importance of integrating creativity and spirituality into everyday life and professional practice. Through these courses, I strive to prepare my students to be aware of their inner potential and the power that creative processes can bring—not just for themselves, but also for their clients and students.

I was honored to be recognized by my students as the Most Positive Professor, an award that remains one of my most cherished titles. This recognition reflects my deep commitment to not only teaching but also inspiring and supporting my students in their personal and professional growth.

Giving Back to the Global Community

I strongly believe that we are all responsible for giving back to the communities in which we live, and today, this extends to the global community. This philosophy has guided my personal and professional life, and I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge and offering support in ways that can truly make a difference.

To that end, I founded initiatives such as “Coffee with a Therapist”, where I offer free lectures to share my expertise and insights with others, supporting people on their personal and emotional journeys. Additionally, I actively collaborate with cultural organizations and mental health initiatives to promote well-being and raise awareness of important psychological and spiritual topics. These efforts are an integral part of my work, and I am deeply grateful to be able to contribute to these causes.

As I work exclusively online in English, I am able to offer online consultations, workshops, and resources that make my work accessible to people worldwide. Whether through individual virtual sessions or online group workshops, I aim to guide and support individuals on their personal transformation journeys, no matter where they are in the world.

Qualifications and Experience

• Ph.D. in Psychology

• Professor and Therapist with over 13 years of professional practice

• Founder of Symbolotherapy®

• Author of the book Cosmic Messenger

• Conceptual Creator and Author of the artworks featured in the exhibitions Floating in Light and Creation

• Extensive experience in clinical psychology, spiritual counseling, shamanic practices, and Jungian dream analysis

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Let’s Begin Your Journey

If you’re ready to uncover the miracles waiting within you, I invite you to begin your journey today. Symbolotherapy® is not just a method—it is a deeply personalized experience that will connect you to the unique symbols and messages that will transform your life. Book a Session now and open the door to your true potential. I can’t wait to see what magical universe is hidden within you and to help you discover it.