How I work with this
In working with family crises, I rely on understanding how each partner's individual internal conflicts affect their shared space. We explore how, in moments of intense stress, a tendency arises to split the world into "black" and "white," perceiving a loved one solely as a source of pain or, conversely, demanding ideal understanding and rescue from them (splitting mechanism). Life transitions often expose deep vulnerabilities, when old, familiar ways of perceiving oneself and the world (early maladaptive schemas) compel one to react to a partner or child from the standpoint of past childhood pain rather than current adult experience.
Through the tools of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy (TFP), we analyze which feelings and reactions arise directly during our meetings in order to recognize your unconscious expectations of others (transference analysis). We will work to develop the capacity to see both yourself and your loved ones holistically, tolerating their imperfections and your own contradictory emotions (identity integration and tolerance of ambivalence). This allows us to establish a stable foundation for overcoming crises, regardless of whether intense internal conflicts predominate in clients (neurotic personality structure) or a strong fear of abandonment and emotional instability is observed (borderline personality organization, or BPO).
Do you recognise yourself?
- ✓ feeling that you speak different languages with your partner and they don't hear you
- ✓ constant irritation over daily trifles after the birth of a child
- ✓ fear of permanently losing emotional connection with your teenage child
- ✓ deep feeling of emptiness and uselessness after children have grown up and moved out
- ✓ intrusive thoughts that your marriage was held together only by raising children together
- ✓ reluctance to return home due to a tense atmosphere
- ✓ toxic guilt over your own imperfection as a parent or partner
If you recognised 3+ points — it is a good reason to talk to a psychologist.
Approach & Methodology
Every family is built on invisible agreements and expectations of the partners from each other. When a transition phase occurs—the birth of a child, a teenage rebellion, or the period when adult children leave home—the old rules stop working. This rupture between the familiar lifestyle and the new reality often causes anxiety, alienation, or aggression. Developmental crises inevitably highlight the needs of partners that were previously silenced or ignored for the sake of preserving peace.
I view these stages as moments when the early childhood scenarios of each family member are activated. A feeling of loss of control or loneliness during such periods is completely natural, as the previous stability collapses, and a new form of interaction has not yet been established. My goal is to help you see these hidden dynamics, become aware of your own triggers, and find support in the process of transforming your relationship, without destroying one another.
Questions & Answers
Is it mandatory to come to therapy with the whole family?
No, it is not mandatory. Working with even one family member inevitably affects the entire family system. By changing your own reactions and becoming aware of your needs, you change the dynamics of communication with your loved ones.
Why did our relationship with my partner deteriorate so sharply after the birth of the child?
The appearance of a third person completely destroys the usual couple interaction. Severe fatigue is activated, and along with it — the earliest unconscious scenarios of how each of you understands care and responsibility. Therapy helps to decipher these expectations and translate them into a constructive dialogue.
How will psychotherapy help if our teenager completely refuses to make contact?
Teenage rebellion — is a process of separation, which is often accompanied by the devaluation of parents. We will work with your anxiety and feeling of rejection so that you can remain a stable support for the child, withstanding their aggression without destroying the relationship.
My husband and I are left alone after the children moved out, and it seems like we have nothing to talk about. Is this the end of the relationship?
This is the so-called "empty nest" stage, which is a serious crisis, but not necessarily the end. This is a time when you have to get to know each other again without the mediation of parental roles. Therapy creates a safe space for this new acquaintance and the search for shared meanings.
Process
How the work unfolds
Initial contact
Write in the messenger or leave a request on the site. Do not look for the right words — I will help you carefully start our journey and we will choose a convenient meeting time.
First consultation
A safe space for acquaintance, where you will feel if my approach suits you. This meeting does not oblige you to anything and only helps determine the next steps.
Regular therapy
Meetings are held 1-2 times a week for 50 minutes, online or face-to-face. A stable schedule is necessary for deep transformation and the development of your internal supports.
Payment and booking
The session fee is 50 USD (in hryvnias). Please read the Public Offer. The time is finally reserved and confirmed after payment.
Contact
Book a consultation
I reply on weekdays. If you are in crisis — call me directly.
Or write directly