"I DO MY THING AND YOU DO YOUR THING. I AM NOT IN THIS WORLD TO LIVE UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS, AND YOU ARE NOT IN THIS WORLD TO LIVE UP TO MINE"
/Frics Perls
QUESTIONS / ANSWERS
WHO SHOULD SEE A PSYCHOTHERAPIST, AND WHEN?
Psychotherapy can also be helpful when it comes to relationships: if the same conflicts keep arising, you find it difficult to trust someone close to you, you are going through a breakup, or you don't understand what has changed in a relationship. Other reasons for seeking therapy may include major life changes, loss, difficulties at work, or simply a feeling that something isn't quite right in your life, even if you can't explain exactly what it is.
You don't need to know in advance what the problem is or whether therapy is right for you. Sometimes, the first consultation is simply an opportunity to pause, talk about what's happening in your life, and explore together what kind of support might be most helpful for you.
WHAT ISSUES CAN YOU BRING TO A PSYCHOTHERAPIST?
People seek psychotherapy for a wide range of emotional difficulties and life situations. You can come to therapy with anything that genuinely concerns you. This might include anxiety, low mood, relationship problems, separation or loss, difficulties at work, emotional exhaustion, lack of self-confidence, or recurring patterns in your life that you find difficult to understand.
For example:
"I feel anxious all the time, even when there's no obvious reason."
"I no longer enjoy the things I used to love."
"I don't understand why I keep ending up in similar relationships."
"I find it difficult to talk about my feelings and set boundaries."
"I keep getting irritated with people close to me, and I don't understand why."
"After a breakup, I can't seem to recover and get back to my normal life."
"I constantly feel stressed at work and worry that I won't be able to cope."
"Everything seems fine on the outside, but I still feel unhappy."
"I know I want to change something in my life, but I don't know where to start."
You don't need to have a clearly defined reason for seeking therapy. Sometimes, simply feeling that something has changed or no longer feels right is enough. The first consultation is an opportunity to explore what's happening in your life, at your own pace, and understand what kind of support might be most helpful for you.
For example:
"I feel anxious all the time, even when there's no obvious reason."
"I no longer enjoy the things I used to love."
"I don't understand why I keep ending up in similar relationships."
"I find it difficult to talk about my feelings and set boundaries."
"I keep getting irritated with people close to me, and I don't understand why."
"After a breakup, I can't seem to recover and get back to my normal life."
"I constantly feel stressed at work and worry that I won't be able to cope."
"Everything seems fine on the outside, but I still feel unhappy."
"I know I want to change something in my life, but I don't know where to start."
You don't need to have a clearly defined reason for seeking therapy. Sometimes, simply feeling that something has changed or no longer feels right is enough. The first consultation is an opportunity to explore what's happening in your life, at your own pace, and understand what kind of support might be most helpful for you.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FIRST SESSION?
The first consultation is, above all, an opportunity to get to know each other and have a relaxed conversation about what has brought you to therapy at this point in your life. We talk about how you're feeling, your life circumstances, and what's troubling you.
For example, you might start with something as simple as: "For the past few months, I haven't felt like myself" or "I don't understand why my relationships with people close to me affect me so deeply." You don't need to prepare the right words or tell your whole story at once. You decide what you feel comfortable sharing.
If you don't know what to talk about, that's perfectly normal. There's no need to come with a prepared story or a clearly defined problem.
You can start with something simple: "Things have been difficult for me lately," "I feel confused," or "I know I want to change something, but I'm not sure what." From there, our conversation can gradually help us explore what's behind these feelings.
WHAT IS GESTALT THERAPY?
Gestalt therapy is an approach that helps people better understand themselves, their feelings, needs, and relationships with others. It focuses particularly on what is happening in the present moment: what a person feels, what they want, how they respond to situations, and what happens in their interactions with other people.
For example, someone may notice that whenever something bothers them, they stay silent, only to feel irritated afterwards. In therapy, we can explore what happens in those moments and why silence has become their habitual response. Gradually, patterns of behaviour and ways of responding that previously went unnoticed become clearer. This helps people become more aware of their own needs and feelings and gives them greater freedom to make their own choices.
WHAT METHODS DOES A PSYCHOTHERAPIST USE?
In my practice, I use the Gestalt approach, a form of psychotherapy that helps people better understand themselves, their feelings, needs, and the ways they build relationships with others.
Particular attention is paid to what happens here and now: what you feel, what you want, how you respond to situations, and what happens when you interact with other people. This helps you recognise habitual patterns of behaviour and things that may have previously gone unnoticed.
Gestalt therapy does not offer ready-made solutions or universal advice. Together with the therapist, you gradually explore your experiences, gain a deeper understanding of your feelings and what lies behind them, and discover your own ways of dealing with difficulties.
The goal of therapy is not to change who you are, but to help you become more aware of your own needs, develop a stronger sense of inner stability, and have greater freedom in making your own choices.
HOW LONG DOES PSYCHOTHERAPY TAKE?
There is no fixed duration for psychotherapy. It depends on the issues you bring to therapy, your individual circumstances, and your goals.
For example, a few sessions may focus on a specific situation, such as a breakup, a conflict, an important life decision, or a period of intense stress. If you want to explore recurring patterns of behaviour or deeper emotional experiences, therapy may take longer.
The duration of therapy can be discussed and reviewed along the way, and the format can be adjusted if needed.
CAN I BOOK JUST ONE SESSION?
Yes. Seeing a psychotherapist does not mean you have to commit to long-term therapy.
A single session can be a consultation in its own right, an opportunity to explore a specific situation, or a first step towards further therapy.
For example, if you are facing an important decision and find it difficult to make sense of your thoughts and feelings on your own, you can start with just one session. Afterwards, you can take your time to decide whether you would like to continue.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHOTHERAPIST, A PSYCHOLOGIST, AND A PSYCHIATRIST?
Psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists all help people deal with emotional and psychological difficulties, but they differ in their education, training, and methods of treatment.
A psychologist is a professional with a degree in psychology. Psychologists help people understand emotional difficulties, behaviour, and relationships with others. They may also conduct psychological assessments and testing.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists assess a person's condition from a medical perspective and can prescribe medication when necessary.
A psychotherapist is a professional who has completed specialised training in one or more approaches to psychotherapy. Psychotherapy primarily involves conversation and exploring a person's emotional experiences, habitual patterns of behaviour, and relationships with others. A psychotherapist may have a background in medicine or psychology. Professional qualification requirements vary from country to country.
In some countries, there is a separate medical specialty known as a physician-psychotherapist. This is a medical doctor who has completed additional specialised training in psychotherapy.
Unlike psychotherapists without a medical background, physician-psychotherapists have medical knowledge that allows them to consider both the psychological and clinical aspects of a person's condition. Unlike psychiatrists, their primary method of treatment is psychotherapy rather than medication.
A physician-psychotherapist therefore combines medical training with a psychotherapeutic approach to working with patients.
These professions are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes psychotherapy alone is sufficient, while in other situations it can be beneficial to combine psychotherapy with psychiatric care and medication.
A psychologist is a professional with a degree in psychology. Psychologists help people understand emotional difficulties, behaviour, and relationships with others. They may also conduct psychological assessments and testing.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders. Psychiatrists assess a person's condition from a medical perspective and can prescribe medication when necessary.
A psychotherapist is a professional who has completed specialised training in one or more approaches to psychotherapy. Psychotherapy primarily involves conversation and exploring a person's emotional experiences, habitual patterns of behaviour, and relationships with others. A psychotherapist may have a background in medicine or psychology. Professional qualification requirements vary from country to country.
In some countries, there is a separate medical specialty known as a physician-psychotherapist. This is a medical doctor who has completed additional specialised training in psychotherapy.
Unlike psychotherapists without a medical background, physician-psychotherapists have medical knowledge that allows them to consider both the psychological and clinical aspects of a person's condition. Unlike psychiatrists, their primary method of treatment is psychotherapy rather than medication.
A physician-psychotherapist therefore combines medical training with a psychotherapeutic approach to working with patients.
These professions are not mutually exclusive. Sometimes psychotherapy alone is sufficient, while in other situations it can be beneficial to combine psychotherapy with psychiatric care and medication.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED PSYCHOTHERAPY?
If you've already noticed that anxiety, tiredness, emotional difficulties, or relationship problems are affecting your life, you don't have to wait until things get worse. Sometimes we get used to living with things that have been troubling us for a long time, putting them off until later and hoping that everything will eventually change on its own.
Seeing a psychotherapist is an opportunity to pause, explore what's happening, and gain a better understanding of yourself. You don't need to have a serious problem or know exactly what's going on. Sometimes, even a single session can help you see your situation more clearly and understand what steps to take next.
CAN I HAVE THERAPY SESSIONS ONLINE?
Yes. Therapy sessions are available both in person, at my office, and online.
Online sessions allow you to continue psychotherapy regardless of your location. For example, this format can be particularly convenient when travelling, relocating, or living in another city or country.
HOW IS CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTED?
Everything you share during a therapy session is treated as confidential. I respect your right to privacy and aim to create a safe space where you can speak openly about what concerns you, without fear of judgment or criticism.
Confidentiality is one of the fundamental principles of my psychotherapeutic practice.
WHAT IF I FEEL THAT THERAPY IS NOT RIGHT FOR ME?
That is also possible. Psychotherapy is not just about choosing a particular approach, but also about the relationship between you and your therapist. It is important to feel comfortable and safe enough to talk about personal matters.
If, after the first session, you feel that this approach or the therapist is not right for you, you can discuss it openly. The first consultation does not oblige you to continue therapy.