Our departments
Our departments
Each department responds to different needs – together we create a cohesive system of support.
Department
Department of Psychological Consultations and Therapy
The Department of Psychological Consultations and Therapy of the Polish Psychologists’ Association provides professional psychological support in Polish to individuals living in the United Kingdom. The department responds to the needs of adults and families functioning within a migratory, bilingual and multicultural environment. Support is delivered online and, to a limited extent, in person in London.
Within the department, there are two specialised clinics addressing different client needs.
Adult Counselling Service
The Adult Counselling Service offers psychological support to adults living in the United Kingdom who are experiencing emotional, relational or adjustment difficulties related to everyday life and the experience of migration.
Support is directed at individuals facing stress, overload, life crises, feelings of loneliness, relationship difficulties, as well as challenges resulting from professional and personal changes.
Within the service, the following are available:
The form of support is selected individually, depending on the needs presented and the readiness of the person seeking help.
Family Counselling Service
The Family Counselling Service provides psychological support to families, parents, caregivers, children and young people living in the United Kingdom. The service responds to parenting, emotional and relational difficulties, and supports families functioning within a migratory, bilingual and multicultural environment.
Particular attention is given to migrant families experiencing tensions and conflicts, facing challenging child behaviours, navigating developmental stages, or requiring support in helping children adapt to the British education system.
Within the service, the following are available:
Consultations may take place with parents only, with the child or teenager, or as joint sessions, depending on the difficulties presented and the psychologist’s recommendations. The form of support is determined individually following an initial assessment.
A child’s or teenager’s participation in sessions requires written consent from both parents or legal guardians.
Collaboration and volunteering in the department
Standards
The Department of Psychological Consultations and Therapy bases its work on the commitment of qualified volunteer specialists who practise in accordance with PPA’s ethical standards.
Opportunities
Gaining or deepening clinical experience, working with individual clients, and developing therapeutic competencies.
Volunteer profile
We welcome psychology graduates (for the Adult Counselling Service, a clinical track during studies is required), as well as therapists, pedagogues and speech and language therapists.
Availability
2 clients per week
We are looking for an Assistant Coordinator for the Family Counselling Service.
Development and Psychoeducation Department
The Development and Psychoeducation Department is responsible for educational, developmental and supportive activities addressed both to PPA volunteers and to the recipients of the organisation’s services. Its aim is to promote reliable psychological knowledge, strengthen personal and professional competencies, and build PPA’s substantive expertise.
The department offers, among others, developmental and coaching sessions, career guidance, workshops, webinars and non-therapeutic support groups, and coordinates the creation of psychoeducational and informational content. These activities respond to the real needs of the Polish community, and the offer is available to individuals interested in personal and professional development, psychoeducation, and support in the process of adapting to life in the United Kingdom.
Areas of activity
Peer intervision
Regular monthly meetings for PPA volunteers. Intervision provides a safe space to exchange professional experiences, discuss challenges in helping work, and offer mutual support among specialists and those involved in PPA’s activities.
Community meetings
“Coffee with PPA”
Open online meetings for PPA members and supporters, enabling conversation, sharing experiences, and building a sense of community and mutual support.
Psychoeducation and publications
Creation and coordination of articles and psychoeducational materials published, among others, on the blog Psycholog w Londynie. Content prepared by volunteers covers topics related to mental health, personal development, migration-related adaptation, and everyday functioning.
Collaboration and volunteering in the department
Standards
The Department of Psychological Consultations and Therapy bases its work on the commitment of qualified volunteer specialists who practise in accordance with PPA’s ethical standards.
Opportunities
An opportunity to gain experience in psychoeducation, leading and coordinating support groups, and co-creating webinars and educational materials.
Volunteer profile
We invite psychologists, fifth-year psychology students, pedagogues, coaches, and practitioners working in the field of mental health and personal development to collaborate with us.
Availability
Volunteering involves an average commitment of approximately 4 hours per week.
DOPRA Research Department
DOPRA is the research department of PPA, conducting reliable psychological research among Poles living outside Poland, with particular focus on the Polish community in the United Kingdom. The department carries out qualitative and quantitative research on migration experiences, mental health, wellbeing, cultural adaptation and social functioning.
Areas of activity
Psychological research
Design and implementation of qualitative research (including interviews and narrative analyses) and quantitative research (surveys and questionnaires) concerning migration experiences and the psychological functioning of Poles living in the United Kingdom.
Scientific and social collaboration
Collaboration with researchers, students, volunteers and institutions working in the fields of mental health, integration and wellbeing of Poles in the UK.
Analysis and dissemination of findings
Preparation of reports, articles and popular science materials shared with the Polish community as well as organisations and institutions supporting migrants.
Collaboration and volunteering in the department
Standards
The DOPRA Department directs its activities to Poles living in the United Kingdom who wish to share their migration experiences and take part in scientific research with real social impact.
Opportunities
An opportunity to gain research experience, develop scientific competencies, and co-create projects with social value.
Volunteer profile
Final-year students, graduates, and specialists in psychology, social sciences and related fields.
Availability
Volunteering involves an average commitment of approximately 4 hours per week.
We encourage participation in voluntary, anonymous research that supports the wellbeing of the Polish community in the UK:
HR Department
The HR and Organisational Development Department is responsible for building and supporting the organisational backbone of the Polish Psychologists’ Association. Its aim is to develop the volunteer team, improve internal processes, and strengthen a culture of collaboration within an expert organisation working for the Polish community in the United Kingdom.
The department focuses on creating consistent procedural standards, communication frameworks and volunteer support, ensuring that PPA’s organisational structure enables effective action, team safety and long-term development.
Areas of activity
Recruitment and onboarding of volunteers
Support for recruitment processes and the onboarding of new PPA members, including the preparation of onboarding standards and cooperation with department coordinators.
Development of structures and standards of collaboration
Creation and regular updates of internal procedures, communication principles and standards of cooperation between departments and teams.
Support for coordinators and teams
Collaboration with department coordinators in the areas of organisational support, team management and addressing ongoing organisational challenges.
Wellbeing and organisational culture
Initiatives supporting volunteer wellbeing and fostering an organisational culture based on collaboration, responsibility and mutual respect.
Collaboration and volunteering in the department
Standards
The HR Department provides a space for individuals interested in the practical application of HR knowledge, building processes and organisational structures, and supporting an organisation operating in the field of mental health.
Opportunities
The department offers space to gain hands-on experience in applying HR knowledge and developing organisational processes and structures. Engagement provides experience in coordinating NGO activities and developing interpersonal and organisational competencies.
Volunteer profile
We invite HR specialists, recruiters, organisational and occupational psychologists, as well as individuals with experience in team management, and final-year students in related fields.
Availability
Volunteering involves an average commitment of approximately four hours per week.
Marketing and Communications Department
The Communications Department is responsible for maintaining a consistent image of the Polish Psychologists’ Association and for communicating the organisation’s activities both externally and internally. Its aim is to provide reliable information about PPA initiatives, increase access to psychological knowledge, and strengthen the organisation’s recognition within the Polish community in the United Kingdom.
The department supports the promotion of PPA projects, events and social campaigns, ensuring that communication remains clear, responsible and aligned with the organisation’s mission.
Areas of activity
Content creation and online communication
Preparing content for the website, blog and PPA social media channels, including informational, educational and promotional materials.
Social media and information campaigns
Managing PPA profiles on social media and supporting informational and social campaigns addressed to the Polish community in the UK.
Promotion of projects and events
Providing promotional support for workshops, webinars, research projects and other initiatives delivered by PPA, in collaboration with other departments.
Brand consistency and cross-departmental collaboration
Ensuring a coherent organisational image, consistent communication style and visual identity, while working closely with other PPA teams.
Collaboration and volunteering in the department
Standards
The department provides a space for individuals who wish to develop communication and marketing competencies within the field of mental health and to contribute to an organisation with a strong social mission.
Opportunities
Engagement allows volunteers to develop skills in social media management and in the use of graphic and marketing tools. It also offers the opportunity to gain or deepen experience in organising informational campaigns and PPA events.
Volunteer profile
We invite marketing specialists, copywriters, content managers, social media specialists, graphic designers and individuals with experience in PR and communication, as well as final-year students in related fields.
Availability
Volunteering involves an average commitment of approximately four hours per week.