My Journey into Counselling
I was born and raised in Poland, where I studied journalism and, for a time, worked as a reporter. I later moved to London — the city that has been my home for over twenty years. For most of my professional career, I worked for international corporations, engaging in roles I was passionate about and that, for years, gave me a sense of personal fulfilment — until I realised it wasn’t my career that made me happy, but helping others. That’s when, for the first time since high school, I decided to volunteer — and later to qualify as a counsellor.
Like many others, I entered therapy because I was struggling with issues I couldn’t manage alone. What began as a fear of flying gradually evolved into something far more difficult to control. It took time to realise this wasn’t just “travel anxiety” — it was a trauma response, quietly taking over my life.
I tried several therapies, hoping something would help. Some were useful, but nothing truly shifted until I found Gestalt therapy. What made the difference wasn’t just the techniques or the theory — it was how I was met. My therapist didn’t try to fix me or explain me away. She simply encouraged me to observe myself: the tightness in my chest, the fear I felt, how I tried to protect myself. In doing so, she helped me slowly reclaim my calm.
Since then, I’ve wanted to offer others a similar therapeutic relationship — one in which no one judges you, but where true change becomes possible through personal connection and authentic self-discovery.
About Counselling
Talking therapies such as counselling and psychotherapy are frequently referred to by the same terms, with “counselling” and “therapy” often meaning the same thing in everyday language. Generally speaking:
Counselling tends to focus on difficulties arising from life events: relationship issues, grief, anxiety, work stress, etc.
Psychotherapy often involves deeper, longer-term work on personality patterns and mental health conditions.
In practice, there’s significant overlap between the two. For instance, counselling is also an evidence-based treatment for conditions like depression, while psychotherapy can equally address life events such as loss or relationship challenges.
For some people, counselling is about getting through a difficult time—a breakup, a loss, a period of overwhelming stress. For others, it's about deeper change: understanding yourself differently, shifting old patterns, building a life that feels more true to who you are.
Many people believe that therapy or counselling is only necessary when they are struggling with severe issues. However, I would like to challenge this view and encourage you to consider whether professional support could be beneficial for you, regardless of your current situation. If you have already begun thinking about counselling, it is likely that speaking to a professional could be helpful.
Counselling is not:
A personal friendship that blurs professional lines.
An advice session - it is not telling the client what to do.
A vehicle for the practitioner's needs.
Without supervision — supervision is essential to good practice
Counselling is:
A confidential conversation with a trained professional who listens and helps you work through what's troubling you.
A partnership between the counsellor and client, aimed to increase client's wellbeing, capability, or performance.
In the service of the client - the focus is on the client's needs, concerns, and goals.
Informed and consensual - based on client's informed consent and agreement