Psychological counselling,
psychological consultation

In any relationship there may be harder periods, recurring conflicts and misunderstandings. Yes, even in relationships where the parties love each other very much.

For some couples, differing needs or values are the basis of conflict; for others, questions of child-rearing, or the difference in the family patterns they bring with them. Workplace or life-situation changes may cast a shadow over a relationship that had been working well.

Psychological consultation creates an opportunity and a safe space for both parties to feel heard and understood, and to find new solutions together. It can help build more honest, more confidential communication and a deeper attunement to each other — while both parties keep their individuality within the relationship.

Relationship difficulties, then, sometimes simply arise because the partners cannot find their way to each other, misunderstand one another, or cannot communicate honestly. Sometimes, of course, more complex and serious problems lie in the background. The aim is that — never looking for who is “at fault”, but for a way out and a solution — we discover together where the root of the problem lies and what can be done to improve the relationship.

It is not only couple relationships that can struggle: it is not uncommon for a life situation to be hard and full of tension for the whole family. The fine threads of the family relationship system can become tangled even among family members who love and support one another. There may be communication difficulties, emotional misunderstandings and many other problems. Family counselling and family consultation can help in such cases.

Difficulties in forming relationships can take many forms. Some people often feel like outsiders. Others are regularly filled with anxiety when they have to take part in social events. Everyday situations that cause others no trouble may still be difficult for someone. Some people struggle with getting to know others; others with maintaining relationships in the long term.

Sometimes inexperience in handling social situations is all that lies behind the difficulties. Sometimes more complex reasons also play a part, such as earlier disappointments, a lack of self-confidence, or mistaken — for example overly idealised — ideas about how relationships work.

Psychological support can help you understand your own emotional and relational functioning, and other people, better, and it helps you find and carry out the steps with which you can improve your human relationships.

There are times when there is no major crisis in our lives, we have good relationships with others, our lives are moving forward free of major problems, and yet we feel that something is incomplete, that something is missing. It may also be that we simply find ourselves in a decision-making situation in some area and have become uncertain. "Where to next?" we ask ourselves. Should I change jobs? Should I go work abroad? Should I start a family, or enroll in a university? What should I do with my time as a retiree?

It can happen that someone feels they have lost their direction, that there is too much burden on them, or that they simply cannot find their place in everyday life. It is also possible that it just feels good to regularly discuss the events of our lives with an impartial, outside, and unbiased, yet professionally trained person, so that we can think through our decisions from multiple viewpoints, from a perspective different from our own.

It is very important to know that counseling in such situations does not mean giving concrete advice that you can take home from the psychologist like a ready-made solution. The goal of the counseling process is to help you gain a clearer view of your true inner needs, to navigate and create balance in the complex motivational maze of your needs, opportunities, external expectations, and your own value system.

Every stage of human life holds new tasks and challenges. From time to time, it is worth considering who we are, where we are headed, and why.

It may happen that someone wants to change certain traits, break bad habits, or develop in a certain area. Perhaps they would like to soften their overly critical and judgmental attitude, or dismantle their procrastinating behavior. Someone might face the fact that the image they have formed of themselves and the feedback from their environment do not match, and they want to understand the reason behind this. There are also instances where someone seeks out a psychologist because they want to understand why they keep finding themselves in very similar life situations over and over again, and figure out what they can do against it—for example, when someone always pushes their own needs into the background, cannot say no, or struggles to handle criticism.

Proper self-awareness and realistic expectations toward oneself can protect us from quite a few problems and mistakes. But what exactly do realistic expectations of oneself, rooted in proper self-awareness, entail? Everyone has a unique answer to this, and psychological counseling can help precisely with that: finding the individual, realistic, and authentic answer.

The goal of self-improvement is a more congruent and confident functioning. Communication skills, assertiveness, cooperation and conflict-resolution skills, and numerous other areas can be well-developed under the guidance of a professional applying the appropriate methods.

Deepening one's self-awareness is not tied to any age; it can be relevant at any stage of life. We change continuously throughout our lives, so there is always a new opportunity for self-discovery or self-improvement.

The death of loved ones or the loss of something important (a job, health, etc.) is a difficult and shattering experience for many people. Alongside the natural grieving process that accompanies such events, individuals often need to reorganize their previous lifestyle or rethink their future plans. At times like this, many people feel left alone with their heavy emotions and unsure of how to move forward.

Grief is not a weakness, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to experience it. It is important to know that difficult feelings and anxiety can be triggered not only by an event that has already occurred, but also by a potential future loss (e.g., due to the illness of a relative), which can initiate a so-called anticipatory grief process.

Whatever loss someone has suffered, during psychological counseling sessions they can speak openly and honestly about what they are experiencing and process what has happened at their own pace.

If someone feels they have to cope with too many difficulties, and that too many tasks and expectations are weighing on them, it can cause serious stress in their life. Chronic stress not only has psychological consequences (such as affecting general well-being), but in the long run, it can also have health-damaging effects. Today, numerous pieces of evidence show that chronic stress may also play a role in the development of certain physical illnesses. Prolonged exposure to high stress plays a prominent role in the development of burnout—characterized by a gradual loss of interest—which most frequently affects professionals working with people, especially those in caregiving and helping fields.

Therefore, if someone feels they are experiencing too much stress, it is worth discussing with a professional which stress-management and stress-reduction methods would be most effective in their specific life situation. Psychological support can help them review their coping strategies and acquire new, effective methods through which they can find their way back to inner balance.

Unexpected and unforeseeable events can cause minor or major crises and emergency situations in anyone's life. A breakup, divorce, accident, move, unplanned pregnancy, property damage, crime, changes in family life, dating difficulties, and many other life situations can lead someone to feel that they have reached a deadlock and do not know which way to go next.

In a crisis situation, it can be especially important to be able to talk honestly about your difficulties with a professional who will stand by you non-judgmentally and compassionately for as long as you feel the need for support.

Parenting can be both a joyful and an extremely demanding task at the same time. It is natural that some people cope more easily with child-rearing while others struggle, or that the same person finds parenting easier during certain periods and more burdensome at others. Sometimes difficulties arise for a parent due to a child's individual traits, and other times because of the relationship between siblings, such as rivalry or sibling jealousy. It is also not uncommon for two parents to follow different educational principles, which creates family and relationship tensions. It may happen that someone wants to rise above unfavorable patterns inherited from their own parents with the help of a psychologist.

It is important to know that parenting difficulties are quite common. Many parents ask themselves the question: "Am I doing this right?" or "Why isn't what I'm trying working?" It is no coincidence that there are so many books, advisory websites, etc., on the subject of child-rearing. Parent consultation and educational counseling create an opportunity to generate ideas and solutions for parenting challenges that go beyond generalities and are tailored to the family's unique situation. One or both parents can participate in the sessions.

Parenting can be both a joyful and an extremely demanding task at the same time. It is natural that some people cope more easily with child-rearing while others struggle, or that the same person finds parenting easier during certain periods and more burdensome at others. Sometimes difficulties arise for a parent due to a child's individual traits, and other times because of the relationship between siblings, such as rivalry or sibling jealousy. It is also not uncommon for two parents to follow different educational principles, which creates family and relationship tensions. It may happen that someone wants to rise above unfavorable patterns inherited from their own parents with the help of a psychologist.

It is important to know that parenting difficulties are quite common. Many parents ask themselves the question: "Am I doing this right?" or "Why isn't what I'm trying working?" It is no coincidence that there are so many books, advisory websites, etc., on the subject of child-rearing. Parent consultation and educational counseling create an opportunity to generate ideas and solutions for parenting challenges that go beyond generalities and are tailored to the family's unique situation. One or both parents can participate in the sessions.

The period of coming of age, becoming independent, and detaching from one's parents can sometimes pose a serious challenge for a young adult. Growing up does not happen overnight. Many young people and young adults struggle with how to find their own path while still remaining strongly attached to their family. Some look to the future with anxiety. Others find themselves in tense, conflict-ridden relationships with their parents. It may happen that someone finds it difficult to make independent decisions, feels guilty about detachment, or is uncertain about their future.

Psychological work can help ensure that independence ultimately means a healthier, more balanced relationship with both ourselves and our loved ones.

Naturally, as a parent, you may also feel justified in seeking psychological help if the time has come for you to let your growing child go on their own path.

A serious illness can raise many questions and bring to the surface fears that we rarely or never think about when we are healthy. Sometimes we cannot, or do not dare to, speak truly and honestly about these questions and fears even with our relatives or friends. Uncertainty, exhaustion, or helplessness may become our companions for a longer period of time.

Widespread as the notion of "positive thinking" may be in the public consciousness, it is rarely sufficient to eliminate difficult feelings. It can involve a very complex psychological process before someone is once again able to mobilize a more hopeful, cheerful outlook on life within themselves—especially when it is a matter of a (chronic, serious) illness that also imposes significant limitations on their lifestyle.

During a counseling process, there is an opportunity to face fears, think through questions awaiting answers, and develop an internal coping strategy that optimizes the psychological resources available for healing. There are methods and techniques that can be learned and that can actively support the healing processes. Psychological counseling also creates an opportunity to acquire these.

At any stage of life, or even multiple times throughout our lives, questions related to choosing a career or making a career change can become relevant. At some point in their career, many people face the dilemma: "Am I in the right place?" or "Where would I truly be in the right place?" There are also cases where someone simply feels that they have burned out in their work for too long, and only financial security or livelihood keeps them there. But which direction should they turn so they can once again feel that what they do is enjoyable and inspiring? It is also possible that someone does not want to lean toward changing jobs or careers, but rather wishes to transform their current situation so that it represents a more acceptable workload.

During the counseling process, the personal aspects that help outline a career best suited to that individual's personality (abilities, motivations, goals) can be thought through step-by-step. If someone sees their abilities, actual needs, and drives more clearly, it significantly improves the chances of finding a truly fitting career, position, or workplace.