Mia Szymanski

Clinical Psychologist & Systemic Psychotherapist in Training

As a psychological counsellor, I aim to create a safe and accepting environment to explore your experience and help you be more at peace with yourself.

© Mia Szymanski. All rights reserved.

ABout my Work

In our sessions, I accompany you on the journey of getting to know yourself better and being more at peace with yourself.I describe my therapeutic approach as:
Humanistic (encouraging personal growth through compassionate self-exploration)
Trauma-Informed (focused on consent, individual agency, and nervous system regulation)
Mindfulness-Based (promoting present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation)
and informed by Systems Theory and IFS (understanding the individual as part of different systems, and as a system of parts).I believe that, together, we can create a space together in which you feel safe and curious to explore your experience. A space for you to grow and find new perspectives and ways of approaching your relationships and your life. A space to (re)discover your authentic self and help you live a more meaningful life. For me, building a therapeutic relationship is a collaborative process in which we allow ourselves to be open toward each other, challenging and benefiting both of us.

About me

I am convinced that, if approached with curiosity and compassion, low points in our life can become turning points toward a more meaningful way of living. In my own therapeutic process, it has been of immense value to me, to work with people who hold me accountable, offer me new ways of thinking, and give me the freedom to express myself authentically.Throughout my own therapeutic journey, I came to be very interested in mindfulness and self-compassion practices which helped me become more aware of my self-critical parts and be more accepting and loving towards myself. I also benefitted from body-centered practices like yoga, which I aim to integrate into my psychological work.I have personal and professional experience with non-monogamous forms of relating and consider myself sex-, and kink-positive as well as an ally to, and part of, the LGBTQIA+ community.

Qualifications

Formal Education
Since 2023 - today: Systemic Psychotherapist in Training (Systemische Therapie und Traumatherapie, IST Berlin)Since 2023: Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie, Berlin2020 - 2023: M.Sc. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy (cum laude), Medical School Berlin2017 - 2020 B.Sc. (hons) Psychology, Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamAdvanced Trainings
April - July 2024: IFS Basic Training (48h, IFSCA)June 2023: Mindfulness and Communication in Couples Therapy (AWP Berlin)Yoga Trainings including Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) and 200hrs Basic Yoga Teacher TrainingWork Experience
June 2024 - Today: Clinical Psychologist at Dr. Becker Brunnen-Klinik2021 - Today: Private psychological counseling (600+ sessions)October 2023 - April 2024: Lectureship at Medical School Berlin (Psychotherapy Master's program)April - July 2022: Clinical internship at Vivantes Tagesklinik für AngststörungenAugust - October 2020: Individual eating disorder care2019 - 2021: Facilitator at weSHARE support groups

About the sessions

I offer online as well as in-person sessions (Berlin) in English and German.
I offer counselling for individuals as well as couples and partners in non-monogamous constellations.Duration and Costs:
Individual
First Consultation -online- (30min): 40€
Counselling Session (50min): 80€
I have a sliding scale rate available upon request.With your partner(s)
First Consultation -online- (50min): 60€
Counselling Session (80min): 120€VAT: Counselling sessions considered as therapeutic treatments are VAT exempt according to § 4 Nr. 14a UStG. All other services provided are VAT exempt in accordance with § 19 UStG.Insurance Coverage:
At the moment, my services are directed at self-payers. I am working toward being able to work with insurances in the future; until that is possible, I enjoy the freedom of working without diagnoses, being flexible in my approach and tailoring our sessions to your individual needs.Private Health Care Insurance:
Conditions for psychotherapy coverage with private health insurance vary.
Be sure to check your individual policy and ask your insurance for details before starting our work together.Public Health Care Insurance:
If you are insured in Germany, your public health insurance may reimburse the session costs according to § 13 (3) SGB (Kostenerstattungsverfahren).
In order to be eligible for reimbursement, you have to obtain written consent to this procedure before starting our work together.Disclaimer: I am not a licensed psychotherapist yet. If you are in an acute crisis, if your or someone else’s life is in danger, I strongly encourage you to contact a licensed psychotherapist who can offer the support you may need.

This might be for you if you...

... struggle with low mood and / or anxiety.
... are navigating a life transition, whether it's starting a new chapter, coping with loss, or adjusting to changes in relationships, career, or family dynamics.
... find yourself stuck in emotional, behavioural, relational or thought patterns and would like to try something new.
... struggle with self-criticism, self-doubt and low self-esteem.
... feel overwhelmed / burned out by the stress of everyday life and would like to develop new coping strategies and strengthen your resilience.
... are healing from past trauma or unresolved wounds and would like to rewrite your story and reclaim your sense of safety and agency.
... feel lonely and disconnected and would like to feel more connected to yourself, your partner(s) or others.
... want to explore your identity, sexuality, and personal values in a non-judgmental space.
... want to cultivate more self-awareness and learn how to set healthier boundaries.
... would like to get to know your inner system better and learn how to relate to different parts of yourself.
... could use support in navigating conflicts with your partner(s) and facilitating difficult conversations.

Getting Started

The typical onboarding process looks something like this:1. Reaching Out:
You write me a message with a short information about yourself and what you are looking for help with.2. Info and Scheduling:
I get back to you within 1-2 working days with information about my next availabilities and the practicalities of our sessions. We schedule a first consultation (online) as soon as possible.3. First Consultation Meeting:
In this first consultation my aim is for you get to experience my way of working and for us to decide whether what I am offering can be helpful to you. I ask you some questions about yourself and your situation, which will help us define goals for your therapeutic journey. There is always space for you to ask questions.
We discuss practicalities such as desired session frequency and payment, and then, if you want to, schedule your first counselling session.4. Before the First Counselling Session:
After our consultation and before our first counselling session I send you my intake form and counselling agreements via E-mail.5. First Counselling Session - Starting the Therapeutic Journey:
Now we are all set on the formalities and can start this journey together! I start most of my sessions with a short check-in of how you are starting into the session, followed by space to share and decide together what you need from our session that day.

Contact

Please contact me here if you would like to schedule a first consultation session to see if we match and whether you would like to start working with me.
At this time, I am unable to accept new clients, but I can add you to my waiting list if you wish.You can also e-mail me directly: [email protected]