Psychology is a field of clinical practice that examines human psychological functioning – a person’s emotions, thoughts, behaviours and relationships with others. It involves diagnosing emotional and personality difficulties, anxiety and depressive disorders, reactions to stress, and the effects of traumatic experiences. It plays an important role in the prevention of mental disorders, providing support in crisis situations, improving the quality of relationships, and assisting in the treatment of chronic, somatic and pain-related conditions, as well as infertility, where mental health has a significant impact on the course of treatment.
A period during which one’s current way of life ceases to work as a result of various experiences. This could be, for example, a break-up, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job or some other event, following which it is difficult to determine the way forward and regain one’s balance.
A situation in which a patient frequently thinks negatively about themselves, downplays their achievements and feels that they ‘aren’t good enough’, no matter what they do.
These include recurring conflicts, communication difficulties, a lack of understanding between partners, or doubts about the future of the relationship.
A feeling of inner emptiness and a loss of purpose, which can arise even when, on the surface, life seems stable and orderly.
These include persistent difficulties relating to desire, sexual arousal, achieving orgasm, pain during intercourse or fear of intimacy.
Difficulty in recognising, expressing and regulating emotions, leading to outbursts of anger, the suppression of feelings or withdrawal.
The lingering effects of traumatic experiences and heightened anxiety, manifesting as tension, intrusive thoughts or nightmares.
Chronic work-related stress, resulting in fatigue, a loss of motivation, irritability and a loss of satisfaction with everyday activities.
A difficult relationship with food and one’s own appearance, manifested, amongst other things, by excessive weight control, feelings of guilt after eating a meal, or persistent dissatisfaction with one’s body.
To understand yourself better
Coming to terms with difficult emotions
To organise your thoughts and experiences
Regain your inner balance
To strengthen a sense of agency
Build healthier relationships with others
Find new ways of coping with stress
Make important life decisions with greater awareness
To restore hope and motivation to take action
A psychological consultation begins with an informal conversation, during which the psychologist asks questions about current difficulties, the patient’s life history and their coping strategies in crisis situations. During the conversation, the specialist asks questions and clarifies the context of the problems raised, in order to work with the patient to determine what form of help will be most appropriate – whether consultations will suffice, or whether short-term or long-term psychotherapy would be advisable.
A standard psychological consultation usually lasts around 50 minutes – this is the time needed to discuss the issue at length, ask questions and plan the next steps. Subsequent sessions are usually of a similar duration and take place regularly, most often once a week.
It is worth seeing a psychologist when difficult emotions, stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship problems or a life crisis begin to interfere with your day-to-day functioning. A consultation can also be helpful when you feel the need to better understand yourself, your reactions and behavioural patterns, as well as when you find it difficult to make important decisions on your own.
A psychological consultation is not physically taxing, but it sometimes touches on difficult topics that may trigger stronger emotions. However, the psychologist ensures that the conversation proceeds at a safe pace suited to the patient and conducts it in a way that is not overwhelming, but rather helps the patient to better understand themselves and their needs.
Yes. The psychologist sees not only adults, but also children and young people. Working with minors involves one-to-one sessions and discussions with parents, so that together they can identify the root of the problem and choose the most appropriate form of support.
Yes. Psychotherapy has a specific goal and ends when the patient has achieved it or feels stable enough to function well without regular sessions. If necessary, the patient can return to therapy or book one-off maintenance sessions.
Regular visits are recommended for those undergoing therapy, as consistency helps to bring about change and consolidate new ways of functioning. Once therapy has finished, there is no need for regular follow-up appointments, although some people choose to have occasional consultations to address new challenges or to ensure they do not revert to old patterns.
