Psychosomatics in Krakow. Founded in 1993, the center stems from the psychotherapeutic tradition The Department combines clinical practice with scientific research and didactic activities, providing strategic and structural methods to dialogical, narrative, and constructionist approaches, with strong dominate, often with personality disorders in one partner, which has required integrating systemic approaches with psychodynamic ones. The Department also provides consultations for psychiatric ily therapy in the healthcare system, which threatens the availability of this form of help in public
The article addresses therapeutic hospital clowning-an increasingly popular yet still insufficiently described form of emotional support for hospitalized children. Clown doctors, often mistakenly perceived solely as entertainers, in fact play an important role in the treatment process by accompanying children during difficult moments of hospitalization and supporting them in coping with fear, pain, and uncertainty. The aim of the article is to present the work of clown doctors as a conscious and complex therapeutic intervention that requires specific competencies, professional preparation, and ethical reflection. The paper combines a review of the literature with the practical experience of a volunteer team working in a children's hospital. It describes the structure of clown doctors' visits with children, the techniques they use, and the organization of the team's work, highlighting differences between professional and volunteer-based models in various countries. Particular attention is given to the therapeutic tools of hospital clowns, such as distraction, support for emotional expression, and the building of a relationship based on the child's consent. The article also reflects on the status of this form of support, questioning whether the hospital clown should be viewed primarily as an artist, a therapist, a member of the medical team, or still as a marginal figure within the healthcare system. The presented review and practice-based analysis aim to outline the framework of a possible therapeutic intervention model and to contribute to a better understanding of the potential of this profession in the context of pediatric hospital care.
Within the Polish psychotherapist community, there are differences of perspective regarding, among other things, the definition of psychotherapy, its training, and the role of diagnosis in the psychotherapeutic process. These differences have been particularly pronounced during the development of the Act on the Profession of the Psychotherapist. This article seeks to demonstrate the relevance of diagnosis in the psychotherapeutic process and to outline its forms. In the field of psychotherapy, diagnosis refers to three areas and three types of assessment: medical diagnosis (identification), psychological diagnosis, and therapeutic diagnosis. The aforementioned forms of diagnosis are not mutually exclusive and can therefore be used complementarily and employed narratively throughout the process of psychotherapy. The author also presents selected definitions of psychotherapy proposed by Polish psychotherapists Jerzy Aleksandrowicz, Czes & lstrok;aw Czaba & lstrok;a, and Bogdan de Barbaro. Furthermore, she engages in a debate on the role of diagnosis in psychotherapy with the perspectives of prominent U.S. psychotherapists such as Irvin Yalom, Harlene Anderson, Michael White, and David Epston. In doing so, the author draws upon her many years of clinical and therapeutic practice, whilst also acknowledging the differing opinions of other experienced practitioners.
Self-aggressive behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), constitute a growing clinical concern among adolescents and young adults. The increasing prevalence of these behaviors in this age group highlights the need for in-depth diagnostic and therapeutic reflection. The aim of this review article is to systematize current knowledge on the phenomenon of self-injury within the framework of contemporary classifications of mental disorders, such as the DSM-5 and the ICD-11, which in recent years have begun to distinguish NSSI as a separate diagnostic entity requiring further empirical investigation and refinement of diagnostic criteria. The article presents the clinical characteristics of self-injurious behaviors, including the diversity of their forms, course, frequency, and associated psychopathological symptoms, such as anxiety, depressive disorders, and personality disorders. The functions of self-injury are discussed, and epidemiological data concerning the prevalence of NSSI in adolescent populations are reviewed. Furthermore, risk factors are identified, including traumatic experiences, attachment disorders, impulsivity, impaired emotion regulation, and the presence of comorbid mental disorders. The second part of the review focuses on theoretical models explaining the etiology of self-aggressive behaviors, with particular emphasis on psychoanalytic perspectives, which conceptualize NSSI as an expression of intrapsychic conflict and unconscious aggression directed toward the self.
Play therapy is an effective psychotherapeutic tool for children, supporting their emotional and social development. During the therapeutic process, the psychologist accompanies the child in play, enabling the expression of thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken. Play creates a safe space for developing social skills, regulating emotions, and building a therapeutic relationship, while also serving preventive and intervention functions in cases of emotional and behavioral difficulties. The aim of this paper is to analyze play therapy as an effective method of supporting children's mental health. The study is based on a review of recent scientific literature available in the PubMed, Medline, and Heal-Link databases, including publications in English. The results of the analysis indicate that play therapy is particularly effective for preschool and early school-aged children, especially those experiencing stress, grief, domestic violence, and neurodevelopmental disorders. This method promotes the development of social competencies, supports emotional and behavioral regulation, and contributes to the reduction of negative emotional states. Empirical studies confirm its positive impact on children's overall psychosocial functioning. In conclusion, play therapy is a well-established and effective form of psychological support for children. It enables the safe processing of difficult experiences within a symbolic space and supports emotional and social development, contributing to improved mental health and overall functioning.
