Therapy

How I work

I work within cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), in its contemporary, process-based form, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Both are among the most thoroughly researched forms of psychotherapy. They do not rely on a ready-made protocol “for every problem”, but on a shared understanding of the processes that maintain your difficulty – and of what can realistically change them.

In practice this means that:

• we start with understanding, not with a label: we look at the situations, thoughts, emotions and behaviours that make up a vicious cycle;
• we work on specifics: we agree on measurable goals and check whether we are moving towards them;
• change also happens between sessions: I suggest exercises and behavioural experiments that let you test new ways of acting in everyday life;
• the aim is not to get rid of every difficult thought or emotion, but to stop them from making decisions for you. In ACT this is called psychological flexibility: the capacity to stay in contact with what is difficult while acting in the direction of what matters to you.

I have practised meditation for many years. In therapy I use mindfulness not as a relaxation technique, but as training in attention and in stepping back from one’s own thoughts (defusion) – always when it serves the goals of therapy, and without reference to any particular worldview.

What you can come with

• anxiety, worry, panic attacks, excessive tension;
• low mood, loss of energy and motivation;
• chronic stress, overload, burnout;
• perfectionism, harsh self-criticism, feeling like an “impostor” despite your achievements;
• difficulties in relationships and communication;
• crises and life transitions: loss, separation, a change of job, a new professional role;
• pressure related to professional responsibility and managing people;
• adjusting to life and work in a new country.

If you are not sure whether your difficulty “fits”, write to me. At the first consultation we will assess together whether therapy with me is a good option for you. If it is not, I will help you find the right kind of support, for example a psychiatric consultation or therapy elsewhere.

What working together looks like

1. Assessment (1–3 sessions). We talk about what brings you, how the difficulty affects your life and what you expect from therapy. Sometimes I ask you to complete questionnaires that help clarify the picture.
2. A shared plan. I present my understanding of what maintains your difficulty (a case formulation) and propose a treatment plan. We agree on goals, session frequency and how we will monitor progress.
3. Therapeutic work. We usually meet once a week. Sessions combine conversation, exercises and tasks to practise between meetings.
4. Ending. We review the changes and prepare for more difficult moments in the future (relapse prevention), so that your new skills stay with you after therapy ends.

The length of therapy depends on the problem and your goals – from a dozen or so sessions to longer-term work. We discuss this openly from the start and come back to it along the way.

Practical details

• Format: online, via a platform of your choice. If you have no preference, I suggest Google Meet (free of charge).
• Language: English or Polish.
• Session length: about 50 minutes.
• Fee: 200 PLN per session.
• Cancellations: at least 24 hours in advance.
• Confidentiality: what you say in session stays between us. The limits of confidentiality follow from the law and from the professional code of ethics – the most important being an immediate risk to life or health. I explain them in detail at our first meeting.
• Supervision: I regularly discuss my work with a clinical supervisor, which is standard good practice. Supervision is conducted anonymously.

About the therapist

I hold a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Gdańsk and completed postgraduate studies (DESS) in clinical and psychopathological psychology at Université Paris V – René Descartes. I am in the second year of a four-year CBT psychotherapy training programme at WSB-NLU and work under regular clinical supervision. I have been a certified MBSR teacher since 2011. More about my background: About.

How to book

The calendar below is for booking a free 30-minute introductory call: we get to know each other, you tell me briefly what brings you, and we agree whether and how to start. Subsequent meetings are paid sessions. Would you rather write first? Use the contact page. Please do not include health details in the booking or in your message – we will talk about them during the session.

Free introductory call online (30 minutes)

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Therapy is not a form of emergency help. If your life or health is at risk, call 112 (the EU emergency number) or your local emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist?

A psychologist holds a master's degree in psychology. A psychotherapist has additionally completed several years of training in a specific therapeutic approach, with supervised clinical practice, usually ending in certification. I hold a master's degree in psychology from the University of Gdańsk and am in the second year of a four-year cognitive behavioural therapy training programme at WSB-NLU; I work under regular clinical supervision. More: About.

What is the difference between cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?

CBT helps you recognize the vicious cycle of thoughts, emotions and behaviours that maintains a difficulty, and change it step by step, for example by examining thoughts and testing new behaviours in everyday life. ACT grows out of the same tradition but changes your relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions: instead of fighting them, you learn to make room for them and act in the direction of what matters to you (psychological flexibility). Both are among the most thoroughly researched approaches; I combine them depending on the problem and your goals.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

For the most common difficulties, such as anxiety or low mood, studies comparing video-based therapy with in-person therapy show similar outcomes. You need a quiet place where no one can hear you, a stable connection and, ideally, headphones. We meet via a platform of your choice: Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WhatsApp.

How long does therapy last and how often do we meet?

A session lasts about 50 minutes, usually once a week. We start with 1–3 assessment sessions, after which I propose a treatment plan with goals and a way of monitoring progress. Therapy as a whole ranges from a dozen or so sessions to longer-term work, depending on the problem and your goals – we discuss this openly from the start.

How much does a session cost?

A session (about 50 minutes) costs 200 PLN. Sessions must be cancelled at least 24 hours in advance.

Do I need a referral?

No. This is a private practice – you get in touch directly by booking a free introductory call in the calendar or writing via the contact page.

What does the first meeting look like?

We talk about what brings you, how the difficulty affects your life and what you expect from therapy. During the assessment sessions we decide together whether therapy with me is a good option for you; if not, I will help you find the right kind of support, for example a psychiatric consultation. Please do not include health details in the booking or your message – we will talk about them in the session.

Is what I say confidential?

Yes. The limits of confidentiality follow from the law and the professional code of ethics – the most important being an immediate risk to life or health; I explain them at our first meeting. I discuss my work with a clinical supervisor, without revealing the identity of the people I work with.

Can therapy be conducted in English?

Yes, sessions are held in English or Polish. Description in Polish: Terapia.

What should I do in an acute crisis?

Therapy is not a form of emergency help. If your life or health is at risk, call 112 (the EU emergency number). In Poland, the 24/7 support centre for adults in mental health crisis is available at 800 70 2222 (in Polish). You can also call the helpline 116 123.