Page 116 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 21

What was the focus of your study/training? What are your actual professional du�es?
Did you get any results that you would especi- Can you please tell us a li�le bit about your
ally like to emphasize? experiences?

During the training, I gained knowledge of psy- First and foremost, I am a psychotherapist. I
chology and prac�ced working in psychothera- work in a private prac�ce with individual cli-
py. I was especially interested in finding someo- ents.
ne whom I could watch and learn from. I found As president of the “W innym świetle” Founda-
Anna Ostaszewska, a wonderful supervisor, �on, which provides people with psychological
psychotherapist, co-founder of the Associa�on and spiritual help, I and my friends organize
of Chris�an Psychologists. In addi�on to skills, trainings and retreats, and help make it possi-
what I got from her was support and confirma- ble, for those who need it, to undertake indivi-
�on that I could be a good therapist. A�er dual therapy.
comple�ng basic training and beginning my
prac�ce, I no�ced that the “Chris�an ap-
proach” in psychotherapy has an extraordinary
power. I focused on exploring the rela�onship
between psychology and spirituality, and I con-
�nue to do so today to be�er work with my cli-
ents. My biggest discovery is that there are
people who come to me that are non-believers,
who want to face some “empty space in them-
selves,” which they some�mes call spirituality. I
do not provide spiritual guidance, but they
choose me so they can speak freely about their
longings and their spiritual journey.

Why would you call yourself a Chris�an psy-
chotherapist?

I would call myself that because I incorporate
Chris�an anthropology into my work and I do
not treat the client's inner spiritual experiences
as some kind of disorder. Such experiences are
familiar to me - as a Chris�an/Catholic, I know As a member of the board - secretary, in the As-
the ups and downs of our life of faith, and I also socia�on of Chris�an Psychologists, I take care
know the experience of being wounded in the of the documenta�on and organiza�on of the
Church, when the psyche of a leader or another work of our Associa�on.
believer is sick. As a theologist, I know what a I also conduct workshops for psychotherapy
healthy spirituality is. O�en mental disorders students at the Colegium Verum university in
twist one’s spirituality and that is where I can Warsaw.
help reduce the client's suffering.
I feel best in individual work with clients in the
office, when I can accompany the change that
is taking place within them. I also greatly enjoy
passing on my experiences to students.

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