MY APPROACH
Integrative, scientifically based approach
In my practice I apply integrative, scientifically based approach, which combines proven psychological methods with work on the nervous system and the development of emotional skills.
I don't believe it, that lasting change occurs only through positive thinking or only through conversation. Real change is happening, when one understands how one's thoughts are connected, emotions, bodily reactions, past experience and behavior, and then gradually begin to build new ways of coping.
So I combine cognitive behavioral therapy, schema therapy, the polyvagus theory, emotional regulation techniques, motivational interviewing and principles of financial psychology, when necessary.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Schema Therapy
This is the basis of my work. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps us understand how you think, the emotions, bodily reactions and behavior mutually influence each other. Except with the current difficulties, we also work on the deeper patterns of thinking and behavior, which support them.
Together we explore automatic thoughts, rules and assumptions, on which you live, as well as basic self-beliefs, others and the world. These beliefs begin to form in childhood under the influence of relationships with significant adults, unmet emotional needs, experienced events and individual temperament. Gradually, one builds coping strategies, which were once adaptive, but in adulthood they often begin to maintain anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, avoidance or difficulty in relationships.
Schema therapy builds on this model, helping these deep patterns and compensatory strategies to be recognized, understood and gradually replaced by cognitive, emotionally-focused, experiential and behavioral techniques. The goal is not simply to reduce symptoms, but to build a healthier and more sustainable way of thinking, sensation and action.
The polyvagus theory and regulation of the nervous system
Psychological change doesn't just happen at the level of thoughts. When the nervous system is in a state of mobilization (“fight or flight”) or immobilization (“shutdown”), one can hardly implement even the best strategies, as it loses access to its resources.
Polyvagus theory helps us understand how the autonomic nervous system influences manner, by which we experience the world, we respond to stress and build relationships. Instead of fighting the symptoms, we work to restore a sense of safety and connectedness in the body.
I use practices to regulate the nervous system, breathing, grounding techniques, working with bodily sensations and HRV biofeedback, when appropriate. This allows the client to gradually develop greater resilience to stress and more adaptively regulate their emotions.
Emotional intelligence
Understanding one's own emotions is a skill, which can be developed.
In therapy, we work on building skills for recognizing one's own emotions, their function and replacing automatic maladaptive impulsive behaviors with conscious and adaptive strategies.
Developing emotional intelligence improves relationships, self control, the confidence and ability to make decisions as in the personal, as well as in professional life.
Motivational interviewing and financial psychology
Change is only possible when one discovers one's own inner motivation.
Motivational interviewing helps overcome hesitation, fear and internal resistances and contradictions, which often keep people stuck in the same patterns. Instead of convincing or giving ready solutions, I help the client discover his own values, resources and motivation for change.
When it comes to money, I complement the therapeutic work with principles from financial psychology. Financial hardship is rarely just a matter of numbers. They are often associated with fear, guilt, shame, family patterns and deep-rooted beliefs. Working on these models allows not only better financial management, but also greater confidence and peace of mind.
Techniques practically skills
I apply a wide range of techniques in my work, which I select according to the specific goals and individual needs of each client. Instead of following a pre-set protocol, I combine different science-based methods, so that the therapy is maximally effective and practically applicable.
I use cognitive restructuring in my work, Socratic dialogue, techniques for identifying and changing automatic thoughts, basic beliefs, rules and compensatory strategies, as well as behavioral experiments and behavioral activation.
If necessary, I include techniques from schema therapy, As a work with chairs (Chairwork), Imagery Rescripting (rewriting images), dealing with the inner critic and dysfunctional coping modes. I also use practices to regulate the nervous system, breathing techniques, grounding and HRV biofeedback.
Besides the therapeutic work, we also develop practical skills for everyday life - emotional intelligence, social skills, assertive communication, decision making skills, stress management, building psychological resilience (resilience), structuring time and building new habits.