WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH TO PSYCHOTHERAPY?

At the age of 51, I draw from years of experience as a psychoanalyst and psychotherapist. I believe that, under the right circumstances, we all have the potential to become architects of our own happiness. However, our psyche is complex and demanding – personal development often brings with it unconscious attitudes, hidden motives, or irrational beliefs, which can quietly stand in our way. When we cannot recognize them ourselves and neither close ones nor friends can help, we need someone who can show us what we cannot see and help us find our own path.

My work is my passion. I enjoy working with people, and find in psychotherapy meaningful fulfillment of my professional life. It is an honor for me to guide people on their journey towards deeper self-awareness and greater authenticity. I enjoy exploring, investigating, and unraveling – getting to the root of things. And when I can help people discover and realize their own path along the way and better understand their own story, it brings me satisfaction.

WHAT ARE YOUR CORE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC BELIEFS ?

I believe that the heart of successful psychotherapy lies in a trusting and safe relationship. For me, the key is the effort to attune with each other – even though we will never be completely the same, I strive to work in syuch a wayso that we feel attuned. Just as in an orchestra, where the tuning of tones creates a melody, in therapy, mutual attunement creates trust and safety, which then leads us to deeper exploration and better results.

I also believe that the path to deeper self-awareness primarily involves noticing the invisible, becoming aware of the unconscious, understanding the unheard, and safely releasing what is blocked. However, on this path, we often must first confront tension and pain to move forward. Just as pain during the massage of a stiff spot brings relief, in therapy, certain tension and discomfort ultimately lead to deeper self-awareness, more comprehensive liberation, greater authenticity, and stronger resilience.

I am convinced that all the mentioned positives come with openness to the unknown. Therefore, I do not cling to old beliefs if they no longer make sense or are contradicted by new knowledge. I prefer to learn, try to understand, and reflect on new insights rather than rigidly hold onto only what I already know. In this spirit, in therapy, we continuously check if we are on the same wavelength and use feedback to assess the effectiveness of the therapy. I perceive psychotherapy as a continuous process of deepening the relationship, education, and development, which leads to providing professional assistance.

In my work, I avoid dogma and speculation. While I rely on verified and reliable principles, I remain open to new, trustworthy information that can enrich the therapeutic process and enable deeper understanding. I believe that the truth has many forms – and that I will learn more about every mental difficulty and the correctness of the therapy if I stay open to different views and perspectives. In this context, for example, I have come to believe that our faith, whether personal or religious, can significantly improve the quality of our lives, or it can unnecessarily worsen it. Good psychotherapy can provide us with valuable support in distinguishing between what truly supports us and what unconsciously prevents our satisfaction.

WHAT IS YOUR PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC STYLE?

Although my roots are deeply in psychoanalysis, my therapeutic style is relational and integrative. Therefore, my primary focus is on creating a safe environment and a trusting relationship. In therapy, I combine psychotherapeutic methods that meaningfully complement each other and move the client forward. Modern research also increasingly shows that effective psychotherapy is rooted in a safe relationship and the integration of methods that support the client’s individuality and potential [1-3].

My relational and integrative style developed naturally—based on the education, practice, and professional experience I gained while studying abroad and through specialized training. I combine insights from psychoanalysis, psychotraumatology, autogenic training, and intensive therapeutic techniques (EMDR, ISTDP, AEDP), aligning them to create a coherent, effective, and holistic approach with a synergistic effect. Research also supports this style, as studies show that integrating various approaches is more effective than using each technique independently [2, 4, 5].

I integrate not only methods but also psychotherapeutic stances. I consider the specific situation of the client and decide whether to lead them as an expert or support them in becoming an expert on their own issues. Sometimes collaboration is most effective, while at other times, confrontation is necessary. This flexible approach, focused on the quality of both the relationship and the therapy, adapts to the client’s needs and creates a safe environment that encourages deeper self-awareness and authenticity.

Lastly, my integrative approach also includes a combination of three foundational therapeutic approaches: focusing on psychopathology, problem-solving, and experiences. Each of these approaches is effective depending on the client’s current situation. The psychopathology-focused approach helps uncover the deep roots of difficulties and defense mechanisms, the problem-solving approach improves daily functioning, and the experiential approach fosters greater emotional transformation. Together, these approaches create a strong foundation for a more comprehensive and flexible therapy that supports clients on their personal journey.

WHAT WAS YOUR ORIGINAL PATH TO PSYCHOTHERAPY?

My journey to psychotherapy began in childhood when I was fascinated by how relationships and the mental lives of people function. This interest later inspired me to publish two books with quotes about life and love (The Book of Quotes, Quotes on Love), and ultimately led me to the decision to pursue psychotherapy.

Although I initially studied Germanistics and law and worked as a translator and lawyer in various countries, I gradually felt that psychotherapy was my true passion. Therefore, I fulfilled my dream and graduated from Sigmund Freud University in Vienna, where I earned my doctorate, professional education, training, and practical experience, which have brought me professional fulfillment.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN AUSTRIA?

I chose to study at Sigmund Freud University (SFU) because I speak Englich and German and because this university offers a unique combination of scientific and practical education in psychotherapy that is not available in Slovakia. The main reasons were:

• Academic Education in Psychotherapy: Although there is good training and education in psychotherapy in Slovakia, it is not possible to obtain an academic university degree specializing directly in psychotherapy. SFU, as one of the few universities in the world, offers a comprehensive university program that integrates psychotherapy with psychology, psychiatry, psychosomatics, medicine, and social work. This broader approach allowed me to better understand psychotherapy in the context of various disciplines.
• Wide Methodological Base: SFU requires basic training in several psychotherapy approaches (psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Gestalt therapy, existential therapy, analytical therapy, and others). Students can then specialize in one method. This diversified approach provided me with a solid foundation in various techniques, which enriched my practice.
• Scientific and Regulated Approach: Psychotherapy at SFU is based on scientific foundations and regulated by the Austrian psychotherapy law, which ensures a highly professional and high-quality educational framework. This approach is in line with the latest research and guarantees a professional standard.
• International Perspective: SFU collaborates with experts from around the world and provides access to the latest studies and research in both English and German. This international approach enriched my education and allowed me to work with current trends in psychotherapy.
• Austrian Tradition of Psychotherapy: Austria is known as the cradle of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy, which allowed me to obtain an education in an environment with a rich tradition and professional background, which is crucial in psychotherapy.

The decision to study at SFU paid off. After completing my studies and training, I obtained psychotherapy licenses and gained the necessary therapeutic practice and experience (long-term work in a psychotherapy clinic in Vienna, Bratislava, and a psychiatric clinic in Trenčín). Finally, I established and built my own private psychotherapy practice in Vienna and Trnava, where I work to this day. I also work as a research fellow at SFU.

During my studies at SFU, I have been lucky enough to meet and get to know important figures in contemporary Austrian psychotherapy. These people have been, and continue to be, an important influence, in particular Alfred Pritz (President of the World Council for Psychotherapy, 1995-; President of the European Association of Psychotherapy, 1991-), Christoph Fischer (chairman of the Psychoanalytic Institute in Innsbruck, 1988-) and Markus Fäh (chairman of the European Confederation for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, 2003-2008; chairman of the Swiss Psychotherapists’ Association, 1993-2003). My continuing relationships with these experts are very useful to me.

1. Wampold, B.E. and Z.E. Imel, The great psychotherapy debate: The evidence for what makes psychotherapy work. 2015, New York, NY: Routledge.
2. Norcross, J.C. and M.R. Goldfried, Handbook of psychotherapy integration. 2005, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
3. Cooper, M., Integrating counselling & psychotherapy: Directionality, synergy and social change. 2019, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications Limited.
4. Stricker, G. and J.R. Gold, Comprehensive handbook of psychotherapy integration. 2013, New York: Springer Science & Business Media.
5. Rydberg, J.A. and J. Machado, Integrative psychotherapy and psychotherapy integration: The case of EMDR. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 2020. 4(3): p. 100165.