Title of talk: Conscious Rebellion: Freedom Begins Within

Ivana Đirlić Šindija is the founder of Empatika.

Empatika was conceived long ago and has evolved through different stages of development in parallel with Ivana’s own individuation process—a journey toward deeper understanding and integration of all aspects of the self. That process remains ongoing. Years of education, professional experience, personal transformation, and inner work are woven into Empatika, making it a living reflection of Ivana’s path and her commitment to self-discovery.

Ivana’s work is grounded in the concept of the “wounded healer.” The path she has walked has been shaped by turbulent life experiences—far from linear or predictable. From a challenging adolescence to severe postpartum depression, which profoundly changed the course of Ivana’s life and redirected her professional focus toward mental health, every phase of that journey has given her deeper insight into the processes her clients go through.

Ivana believes that in this vocation, alongside formal knowledge and professional qualifications, personal experience is equally valuable. The experiential dimension of an educator, counsellor, or therapist brings authenticity to the work and creates the possibility for genuine connection with those seeking support.

Empathy is the core value on which Ivana’s work is built. Yet empathy—our ability to intuitively sense what another person thinks and feels—is becoming increasingly scarce in today’s society, especially among young people. As society becomes more self-centred, alienation grows, and technology increasingly replaces human connection.

From an early age, people today are exposed to countless influences and pressures. As a result, many suffer in silence, often reluctant to admit they are struggling. Ivana believes that when a person is not authentic in the way they live and in what they do, a gap emerges between who they are and their true self—and that very gap becomes a primary source of suffering.

The moment a person becomes aware of this and finds strength in their own vulnerability, the path toward deeper self-understanding begins. With professional support, they can recognise the unconscious patterns that shape their lives and develop a more authentic relationship with themselves.

“I rebel, therefore I exist.” — Albert Camus

The work of Carl Gustav Jung and existential philosophy form the foundation of Ivana’s approach. In Australia, where Ivana earned her master’s degree in applied psychotherapy, she practiced under the name REBEL Psychotherapy. To Ivana, anyone who dares to truly know themselves and realise their full potential is a rebel.

Ivana believes that inner work is an act of rebellion against a system that, consciously or unconsciously, distances people from genuine self-awareness.

Her mission is the psychological sovereignty of the individual.

An awakened individual takes responsibility for their own thoughts and actions. Ivana believes that once people truly know themselves, they begin to think independently and no longer need a system to think on their behalf. This is the path toward authenticity, inner freedom, and a life aligned with one’s true self.

“A powerful man is not one who conquers others, but one who conquers himself.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

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Ivana holds a Master’s degree in Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy from Torrens University Australia, a Master of Arts in Croatian Literature from University of Zadar, and a Diploma in Energetic Healing.