Publications

Abstract:

It should be borne in mind that twins often experience a double dependence on both their parents and their twin. Children show considerable individual attachment to their parents, and the study sought to highlight the importance of personality structure and social environment in influencing anxiety responses in children. Positive psychotherapy was chosen as the method of working in both situations, and tools designed to promote the development of internal coping strategies were applied. The paper proposes a model for possible therapeutic work with twins at risk of anxiety disorders, suggesting that an empathic therapeutic approach may be useful in reducing separation anxiety in infancy.

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This article looks at how young children experience separation anxiety by comparing two real-life cases: one of a child with a strong emotional connection to the mother, and another whose father plays an active role in caregiving. The aim is to understand how different patterns of attachment and family dynamics influence the intensity of anxiety reactions. Observations were gathered through everyday behaviour monitoring, conversations with parents, and expressive techniques such as adapted emotion-rating scales and family drawing activities. The therapeutic process was based on Positive Psychotherapy, with a focus on helping the children become more aware of their emotions, build inner coping skills, and see their anxiety in a new, more manageable light. The comparison shows how varied parenting involvement can shape children’s ability to regulate emotions and build resilience when faced with separation.

Citation (APA style):

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This research was conducted to explore the outcomes following the implementation of the self-help strategies recommended in “Psychological Transformation Journey and Finding Yourself Guide: 52 Weeks of Rebirth from a Positive Psychotherapy Perspective.” Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study employed a single-group pre-test-post-test design for quantitative analysis and a phenomenological approach for qualitative insights. Data collection tools included a Demographic Information Form, a Qualitative Evaluation Form, and the Positive-Negative Affect Scale. The participant pool consisted of 179 psychological counselors and their 179 clients, who varied in educational background and profession. Quantitative results indicated notable enhancements in both positive and negative affect dimensions across areas such as achievement, body image, relationships, and fantasy-spirituality. Qualitatively, the study documented changes in participants’ attitudes toward seeking psychological help, increased self-awareness, experimentation with new behaviors, enhanced social support, and self-acceptance. These findings suggest that guided self-reflection and support are critical in overcoming personal challenges and fostering growth and self-awareness, as reflected by participants’ expressed gratitude and heightened motivation to tackle personal difficulties.

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A case of psychotherapeutic practice for an adolescent between identity, symptom and balance. Individual identity is essential for mental health. Identity development is a basis of self-acceptance and good self-esteem. As Erikson (2013) pointed out, subjective sense of identity must continue to be rediscovered and developed in a never-ending process. Erikson emphasizes that the term of identity has different but generally interrelated meanings. In many situations it can be attributed to a conscious sense of individual identity, in the others – to “an unconscious battle” for continuity between tradition and individuality, in the third – to the stability of the self, and in the fourth – as a mechanism for maintaining internal balance with group (traditional) ideals and group (traditional) identity.

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Providing help and support to people experiencing grief after loss is one of the tasks of a psychologist and psychotherapist. Many views of various authors on the process of grieving and criticism of different opinions of each other make it difficult to choose any one theory for dealing with bereavement. The main goal of this paper is to take a holistic view of the course of adaptation to bereavement and create an integrative approach to the process of grieving based on the main principles of positive psychotherapy. To do this, I used the theories of living-through of grieving by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross, John Bowlby, William Worden, Margaret Stroebe and Hank Shute, and Nossrat Peseschkian. Thus, an integrative model of the bereavement experience was created, in which the phases and tasks of two processes were identified: orientation to loss and orientation to restoration. Application of this model, as well as the use of the principles and techniques of positive psychotherapy as a guide, can help a therapist have a holistic view of the process of dealing with bereavement and be as effective as possible in the therapy process.

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Suicidal ideation (SI), suicide attempts (SA), and completed suicides (CS), seem to be phenomena present globally and in heterogeneous growth. The objectives of this manuscript are to offer an overview of these phenomena related to mental health and mental well-being, focusing on the prevention of SI, SA, and CS, with multidisciplinary team (MDT) and interdisciplinary team (IDT) interventions that can be integrated into the daily activities of healthcare workers (HWs) and medical/healthcare students (MHSs). The role of medical education (MedEd) and counselling/psychotherapy, with particular interest in the PPT (Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy), can become fundamental in intervention, identification, prevention activities, for MHSs and HWs.

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The article discusses the increasing prevalence of antidepressant use in the UK and concerns surrounding the reliance on psychotropic medication. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is also mentioned, along with the increasing rates of probable mental disorders in children and young people.

The author highlights the role of psychotherapists in discussing medication-related topics with clients and advocating for collaboration with Family Doctors (GPs) and psychiatrists.  It suggests that a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy may be more effective than medication alone, but long waiting times for therapy services pose a challenge. Staff shortages in mental health services are identified as barriers to adequate care and patient involvement in decision-making processes.

The Balance Model is proposed as a framework for planning interventions, focusing on the four areas of life (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) to support clients in managing the side effects of starting or stopping medication. Overall, the article calls for a comprehensive approach to mental health treatment that considers both medication and psychotherapy, addresses the challenges associated with medication use, and advocates for improved training and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Citation (APA style):

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This case study demonstrates how Positive psychotherapy addressed chronic anxiety in a 22-year-old female client with prolonged stress exposure. The client presented with rigid perfectionism, autonomic symptoms, and social withdrawal rooted in childhood trauma. Using the Balance Model, therapy targeted: (1) restructuring dysfunctional basic concepts (diligence vs. hope conflict), (2) rebuilding trust through the five-stage process (extended verbalization phase for trauma processing), and (3) reactivating primary capacities (patience, contact). Key interventions included transcultural parables for cognitive flexibility and “small steps” experiments in the achievement dimension. After 42 sessions, the client achieved reduced anxiety, resumed social activities, and developed self-compassion statements. The case highlights PPT’s efficacy in transforming anxiety from a pathological symptom into a growth signal. Findings suggest that modified stage sequencing benefits trauma clients with perfectionism.

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We shall consider the possibility of using virtual reality (VR) technologies in the treatment of phobias, psychosomatic disorders, and other psychophysical conditions. The challenge of augmenting patients’ mental treatment by means of VR technologies is quite relevant in the field of psychology. A new way is quickly developing in the search for better methods of diagnosis, amelioration of anxiety and other conditions, as well as the identification of human characteristics. This new method can be characterized as deep immersion in virtual reality. This provides an opportunity to work with psychosomatics and phobias through virtual reality.

Citation (APA style):

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The purpose of the current study was to understand the nature of the conflict reactions that employees of 5* Greek hotels that belong to the higher management levels tend to present. The research aimed to find out if there is any connection between special primary and secondary capacities described in PPT and conflict reactions in people who have higher management roles.

Citation (APA style):

Abstract:

This research was done with a group of multicultural students who were pursuing their studies in Turkey. The aim of the research is to evaluate the benefits of Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy in working with groups of multicultural students. The research data are based on the therapeutic process, which was used in ten psychotherapeutic sessions by applying Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy, with the methods and techniques, such as: the concept of positum, the principle of hope, the balance model, stories and the psychotherapeutic process, all made within the five phases of therapy.

The participants in the group therapy were six females from different national backgrounds. All participants expressed complaints about the  adaptation process in the new environment. The research results are based on oral data from participants’ feedback at the end of each session and at the end of the therapeutic process.

Citation (APA style):

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Traumatic experience changes health, relation patterns and conflict reactions. Threatening events can cause desperation and can profoundly damage personality structure capacities and bonding qualities like trust. A structured process of treatment back to confidence and a balanced everyday life starting with stabilization phases, leading to integration is described.

Citation (APA style):

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The purpose of the following work is to introduce the tool of the Multisensory Balance Model. The tool was created by combining the strategies and structure presented in PPT and knowledge about the impact of sensory interactions on the psychotherapy process. The combination of knowledge and techniques from Positive Psychotherapy (Balance Model, capacities, and conflicts), as well as art therapy and neuroscience, has created a tool that enables an experienced therapist to work across multiple sensory channels. The combination of different structures, materials, weights, and colours stimulates the imagination and enables the discovery of new meanings for both the patient and therapist. In the following study, we present the main assumptions of the project, its appearance, as well as a description of the possibilities and doubts related to the use of the tool. We also present potential areas in which the use of the tool could be beneficial and enriching for the psychotherapy process. We also demonstrate how to integrate knowledge from the field of Positive Psychotherapy with the characteristic work methods of art therapy.

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The article is a recommendation for those who want to become trainers, about what it means to work with groups and what are the prerequisites and responsibilities of a trainer. It is detailed based on the author’s experience of over 20 years as a trainer and her work as WAPP assessor, between 2019 – 2021. It can be a good guide for those who want to become trainers in the future.

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