Laura Kowalczyk
About Me
I was born and raised in Germany as the daughter of Polish parents.
Reflecting on my family’s history, I find myself resonating deeply with questions of identity and belonging.
Throughout my life, I have moved back and forth between Germany and Poland. I grew up speaking three languages: German, English, and Polish.
Currently, I work part-time as a psychologist at a family counseling center. I provide counseling for couples, children, adolescents, and parents – including parents who have been referred by the court or youth welfare services. Working with multicultural families gives me valuable insights into the challenges that come with migration. I also learn a lot about how separation and divorce affect the entire family system.
Previously, I worked with individuals suffering from chronic illnesses. During this time, I encountered diagnoses such as severe depression, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and addiction.
I learned how to accompany people through crises and support them in managing intense emotional states. It was especially important to me to be a grounded presence for those facing fear, panic, and helplessness.
I earned my Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Warsaw. After that, I knew I wanted to pursue training in Gestalt therapy – a humanistic and phenomenological form of psychotherapy.
What fascinates me most was learning how to work in the here and now.
My Approach
In Gestalt therapy, the present moment is central, it is being assumed that only in the here and now I can I take full responsibility for my life, my feelings, my thoughts, and my relationships. Throughout therapy we will work on sensitising your awareness for the „how“ and „what for“ you create your present moments and relationships. This is the foundation of your self regulation, if you experience fully what is happening with you now you can access your needs and desires more spontaneously.
The body being an anchored in the present moment, i find it helpful to incorporate body awareness and breath work into my practice.
My years of experience in dance and Iyengar yoga support this aspect of my therapeutic work.
The holistic approach of Gestalt therapy – with its focus on contact, awareness of the present moment, and acceptance of what is – has become the foundation of my practice. I also focus a lot on slowing down- the head is usually a little quicke then our emotions.
From my own experience, I can say that Gestalt therapy is a beautiful way to reconnect with one’s creative potential, and to become more attuned to moments when that connection is lacking. The human potential often becomes obscured through outdated habits, that once served survival.
Gestalt therapy allows for experiencing the world again as creative, expressive beings.
I invite you to explore your present moments within the therapeutic relationship and I would like to be a support for you in responding to changes in self-supportive and accepting ways.
Professional Qualifications
2020 -2024 Gestalt Therapist
Training consisted of a total of 1075 hours of training, including experiential learning within the group, providing therapy under supervision and individual therapy with a senior therapist.
2013-2018 Psychologist (MA)
Masters in Psychology at the University of Warsaw
2023
Training as a facilitator for the course "Strong Parents Strong Children"
Languages
- German
- Polish
- English