PSYCHOTHERAPY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What Happens During the First Therapy Session?

The first session serves as an introduction. You’ll have about 40 minutes to share what brings you to my office and what you want to work on.
I may ask a few questions to better understand your story. I might also begin drawing a genogram—a basic family tree—to help us understand your background, your past relationship experiences, and what’s important to you in life.
If you come as a couple, I will work to understand your story from both perspectives.

At the end of the session, I’ll summarize and suggest possible directions for our collaboration. I’ll also outline the terms and conditions of our potential work together.
If necessary, I may refer you to another professional, such as a psychiatrist or somatic therapist. This rarely happens and is typically in cases where I feel another specialist would better address your needs.

How Often Should I Attend Therapy?

Research shows that individuals in psychotherapy who attend more frequently recover faster than those who attend less often. The generally recommended frequency is once per week.
If time or financial constraints are a concern, I suggest attending weekly for the first five sessions, taking a short break, and then continuing with another set of weekly sessions as needed.

Sessions last 50 minutes and begin at the agreed-upon time. If you’re late, unfortunately, that time is lost. :-(
If you need to reschedule, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance. Late cancellations may incur a full session fee.

How Long Does Therapy Take?

The length of therapy can range from a few sessions to several years.
As a general rule, it takes 5–10 sessions to address a specific problem or situation. If you want to dive deeper into self-discovery and explore your potential, I often recommend one session for every year of your life.
For profound change, around 30 sessions—typically spanning six months to a year—are often effective.

Can We Meet Online?

Absolutely! :-)
I offer both in-person and online sessions. Most clients choose a mix of both approaches, starting in person and using online sessions as a time-saving option or when they’re out of town or feeling slightly unwell.

You can book your first session here or email me, and I’ll provide available dates.

What Are Your Qualifications?

Master’s Degree: Clinical Counseling Psychology, La Salle University, Philadelphia, USA (2012).
Specialization: Jungian/Analytical Psychology through the Czech Society for Analytical Psychology (2018).
Membership: Czech Association for Psychotherapy (CAP) since 2018 and a board member since 2020.
Advanced Training: Focus on couples counseling, including EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) and the Gottman Method (in progress).

Before transitioning to psychology, I worked in finance as a junior auditor, M&A manager, and business development manager at a Big4 firm (2004–2012). I was also a member of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Is It Safe to Talk About Personal Issues?

Everything discussed during sessions remains confidential.
You are not obligated to continue therapy after the first session. In fact, I encourage clients to meet with 2–3 therapists initially to ensure the best personal and professional fit.

I run a private practice, which means I am not required to keep official records for insurance purposes. However, I maintain brief professional notes about each session, focusing on key themes, ideas for moving forward, and billing information.

As a licensed therapist, I am required to undergo annual supervision hours. This involves meeting with a senior therapist—my supervisor—where I discuss my professional development or specific concerns. If I discuss clients, I always anonymize their identities—no names, specific situations, or identifiable details are shared. I adhere to the ethical code of the Czech Association for Psychotherapy.

If you have further questions about how I ensure a safe space for clients, please feel free to contact me.