Psychological support
Psychological support
How and where we support the mental health of the Polish community in the UK
Safety first.
PPA does not provide therapy for individuals in acute crisis and does not offer crisis intervention services.
In emergency situations – when your life or health, or that of someone close to you, is at risk – call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
Crisis support:
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
• SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (16:00–22:00)
• CALM: 0800 58 58 58 (17:00–24:00)
Contact us if you are struggling with:
Emotional difficulties and the stress of living abroad
Depression and low mood
Stress and overwhelm
Anxiety disorders
Identity crisis and a sense of belonging
Difficulties in family and partner relationships
Difficulties experienced by children and adolescents
Challenges faced by bilingual and multicultural families
Emotions
Difficulties in intimate and sexual relationships
Psychology consultations
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What are they?
These are one or several initial meetings during which we will take a closer look at your needs and plan the most beneficial form of support.
For whom?
Psychological consultations are particularly helpful for people living in the UK who:
• experience stress, overload, or low mood,
• go through difficulties in relationships and feel lonely,
• struggle with the challenges of life in emigration (adaptation, work, lack of support from loved ones),
• face an important life change,
• have doubts about where to start and what kind of support they need.
What do they look like?
Process: a conversation about your well-being, context, and goals, with full confidentiality in accordance with the ethical code.
Form: online or in-person in London
Duration: 50 minutes
What can you gain?
• better understanding and organisation of your thoughts and emotions,
• recommendations for further steps,
• an initial support plan tailored to your situation.
Short-term therapy
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What is it?
This is a series of regular online sessions focused on a clearly defined issue and goal. Thanks to the specific time frame, you can see results faster and introduce practical changes in your life.
For whom?
Short-term therapy is suitable for people who want to work through a specific difficulty, such as:
• panic attacks and intense anxiety,
• returning to work after a break (e.g. leave, illness, maternity),
• insomnia and sleep difficulties,
• conflicts in relationships (family, partner, or work-related),
• challenges related to adaptation in the UK (stress, loneliness, lack of belonging).
What does it look like?
Process: During the sessions, clear and measurable goals are established. The work includes finding practical solutions during sessions, exercises to implement between meetings, summarising progress, and creating a plan to maintain change after the therapy ends.
Form: online (usually 6–12 sessions)
Duration: 50 minutes
What can you gain?
• quick and practical tools for coping in specific situations,
• better control over symptoms (e.g. anxiety, insomnia, stress),
• visible improvement in the area that matters most to you,
• sense of effectiveness and a clear action plan.
Individual psychotherapy
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What is it?
These are regular 1:1 sessions with a therapist in Polish, focused on deeper work with emotional difficulties, patterns, and relationships. The sessions are based on clearly defined goals, held in a safe and confidential atmosphere.
For whom?
For people who, after psychological consultations at PPA, have been referred to therapy.
Individual psychotherapy can be particularly helpful for those who:
• experience anxiety, low mood, burnout, or a sense of loneliness,
• struggle with low self-esteem, guilt, or regret,
• have experienced loss or trauma,
• feel torn between life in Poland and in the UK,
• need a safe space to speak about themselves in Polish.
What does it look like?
Process: The therapist adjusts the approach to your needs and pace, supporting you through the process of change. Goals, frequency, and confidentiality rules are clearly defined.
Form: online or in-person in London
Duration: 50 minutes (once a week), up to 12 sessions
What can you gain?
• better understanding of yourself and your emotions,
• lasting strategies for building a sense of safety and satisfaction,
• greater psychological resilience and ability to cope with difficult situations.
Family counselling
Family counselling & support
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What is it?
This is a form of support for parents, caregivers, and/or the whole family. It focuses on parenting issues, communication, setting boundaries, and helping children adapt to life and education in the UK.
For whom?
Family counselling is particularly helpful for migrant families who:
• experience tension and conflicts at home,
• struggle with children’s difficult behaviours (e.g. oppositional behaviour, anger outbursts),
• face developmental challenges (e.g. adolescence),
• have difficulties with communication within the family,
• need support in contact with the school or in their child’s adaptation process in the UK.
What does it look like?
Process: During the meeting, a joint action plan and simple systemic interventions are developed.
Form: online
Duration: 50 minutes
What can you gain?
• practical tools for better communication and consistent parenting,
• reduced tension and a stronger sense of cooperation within the family,
• support in your child’s adaptation process in the UK.
Children and young people counselling
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What are they?
These sessions are designed for young people growing up in two languages and cultures. They help to better understand the child’s needs, school and emotional difficulties, and to plan support tailored to the realities of life in the UK.
For whom?
Consultations are particularly helpful for children and teenagers who:
• grow up in bilingual (Polish-English) families and struggle with identity,
• experience adaptation stress due to relocation or change of school,
• face emotional difficulties (anxiety, low mood, isolation),
• have school-related challenges (e.g. language barrier, peer problems),
• feel divided between the “Polish home” and the “English school”.
What do they look like?
• online sessions lasting 45–60 minutes (with the child, parent, or both – depending on needs),
• discussion about the child’s daily life in both languages and environments,
• psychoeducation for parents on bilingualism and development,
• plan of next steps (e.g. emotional support, cooperation with the school).
What can you gain?
• better understanding of the emotions and needs of a bilingual child,
• practical guidance on supporting development and learning in two languages,
• tools for coping with stress and school difficulties,
• greater confidence in building your child’s bicultural identity.
How to access support?
Before starting therapy, it is necessary to attend an initial psychological consultation.
In-person support
