Do I need psychotherapy at all?

It’s usually difficult to make decision to see a psychologist or psychotherapist. You might be afraid that your problems are not serious enough, or that you even are making them up. You might feel that other people go through much more than you and you shouldn’t complain. You might think you just are that way and need to live with that. The answer to this question is of course individual. However, if the question has ever came to your mind, you most probably need a psychological consultation to discuss your doubts with a professional. The purpose of the first consultation is precisely to assess whether you need therapy or not.

How long does it take to solve my problems in psychotherapy?

The answer is different in every individual case and it depends largely on the nature of your problems. In mildest cases of isolated problems occurring in otherwise satisfying and happy life, like for example single phobias, a few months could be enough. In case of more general difficulties affecting large areas of functioning, generalized lack of satisfaction, or serious relationship problems, the time needed for lasting changes to occur is counted in years. For those who are diagnosed with serious personality disorder, therapy could take 5 years or more.

The duration of therapeutic process is also partly dependend on the chosen therapeutic approach. Cognitive-behavioral approach that is usually the treatment of choice in case of isolated difficulties is more time-limited, whereas psychodynamic approach is oriented towards deep changes in personality structure and therefore usually takes longer.

Which psychotherapeutic approach is best for me?

There are many psychotherapeutic approaches, the psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and systemic approaches being the most effective and widely used. One of the main purposes of the first psychotherapeutic consultation is to assess which approach will work best for you.

The choice of therapeutic approach depends mainly on the nature of your problems as diagnosed by the therapist, but it could be also influenced by other factors like your personality, your individual preference for some modes of therapeutic work, and some external factor (for example limited duration of your stay in Krakow or financial possibilities). All of these should be discussed with a psychologist or psychotherapist during the first consultation.

Should I choose a male or female therapist?

There are some stereotypical notions saying for example that if you have ‘mother issues’ you should go to a female therapist, and if you lacked a father figure in your childhood, you should choose a male one. Is that true?

In fact both male and female therapists are prepared to work with a whole range of psychological problems. Psychotherapy is not about getting a direct father or mother substitute. In general good communication between you and the therapist and the atmosphere of trust and safety usually turns out to be much more important that the therapist’s sex.
However, if you have a strong intuition that you need to choose a therapist of particular sex, it could be a good idea to discuss it during the first consultation.

What to expect during first consultation?

The first consultation is primarily an information-gathering session. After introducing herself and saying a few icebreaking words, the psychotherapist will ask you to tell her about your concerns that made you seek consultation. The therapist would also want to know about the context of your problems. You can expect questions about professional life, phisical health, relationship history, hobbies or plans for the future.

It’s likely that at the end of the first consultation the psychotherapist would share some general impressions on the nature of your condition and some sugestions on what kind of help would be appropriate. It’s also possible that the therapist would want to gather more information first and will invite you to a second consultation session. If the nature of your problem is clear and the therapist is positive that particular therapeutic approach can be helpful, she  might want to proceed and explain the rules of treatment.

In some cases the therapist might decide that you need different kind of help and direct you to another mental health specialist.

The first consultation is also an opportunity for you to interact with the therapist and asses whether you feel this particular therapist is right for you.

Why do people search for psychotherapy in Krakow in English?

Krakow has become a multicultural city. Growing numer of expats and international students have come to Krakow to work and study. Far away from home country, adaptation difficulties, relationship problems, anxiety, depression and other psychological problems abound. Psychotherapy can provide a solution to most of these. Psychotherapy in Krakow is sought by many foreigners trying to adapt to living in Poland or stuggling with psychological conditions.

How to find a good english-speaking psychotherapist in Krakow?

There are some clues that can help you assess whether a particular psychotherapist is well qualified to provide psychotherapy in Krakow. Psychotherapists in Krakow (and in Poland in general) need to have completed a 4-year psychotherapy training attested by either Polskie Towarzystwo Psychologiczne (Polish Psychological Society) or Polskie Towarzystwo Psychiatryczne (Polish Psychiatric Society). A good psychotherapist working in Krakow is expected to have gathered professional experience in public institutions (interships in mental health clinics, hospitals etc.) as well as in private practice.