Psychological Counseling

Psychological counseling can be offered in several formats, depending on the needs of the client:

• Individual counseling
• Couples counseling (usually romantic partners)
• Group counseling
• Online counseling

Individual Psychological Counseling

The process usually begins with a detailed psychological diagnosis, conducted in the first session or over several sessions, depending on the client’s goals and the depth of analysis they seek.

Counseling is not always a pleasant experience at first, as it often brings unresolved problems, internal conflicts, and suppressed issues to the surface. This emotional discomfort is a natural part of the therapeutic journey.

Clients may be asked to reflect on personal experiences or even include others from their environment if relevant. The process can be intense and at times uncomfortable, but it’s designed for those committed to deep personal growth and self-understanding.

Counseling helps clients recognize their problems, while offering support and tools for finding their own solutions. During the first meeting, the psychologist and client discuss goals and expectations and establish a mutual understanding of how they will work together.

A psychological contract is usually established to define rules, responsibilities, and boundaries within the counseling relationship. Once a client agrees to enter the counseling process, the first session includes a detailed developmental history, covering physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and sexual aspects of the client’s life.

Sexuality is often explored, as many psychological issues are linked to unresolved or unconscious sexual experiences. Understanding these deep emotional layers helps reduce internal tension and improve emotional regulation.

Session Duration:
Most individual sessions last 60 minutes, though 90–120-minute sessions are possible. In rare cases, sessions may extend to 180 or even 240 minutes, depending on the situation and mutual agreement.

Session Frequency:
Sessions do not need to follow a fixed schedule. Timing and frequency depend on the nature of the issues, the client’s needs, and the evolving therapeutic relationship.

Basic Principles of Counseling

1. Timely scheduling or cancellation (at least 24 hours in advance)
2. Mutual agreement and written consent outlining the counseling terms
3. Right to discontinue the relationship at any time, with open discussion

Couples Counseling

Couples counseling focuses on identifying and addressing issues that commonly arise from a lack of communication in emotional or romantic relationships. While most commonly used for romantic partners, it may also apply to:

• Parents
• Married or unmarried couples
• Siblings or family members
• Close friends in emotional conflict (dyadic problems or folie à deux)

In cases of folie à deux, psychological distress is shared between partners—one partner’s mental distress becomes internalized by the other, leading to “suffering in tandem.” This can escalate to deep emotional crises if left unaddressed.

Counseling aims to help couples recognize these dynamics and navigate emotional struggles in a supportive environment. It’s enough for just one partner to recognize the issue and suggest counseling; the process may begin there and expand to joint sessions.

Modern Relationships

Contemporary relationships are diverse and complex. Couples are no longer limited to traditional husband–wife pairings. In some cases, people form:

• Triads or tetrads (non-monogamous relationships)
• Polyamorous relationships, which involve multiple emotional/sexual partners
• Same-sex relationships, which are subject of societal rejections and prejudices,

While these arrangements may offer freedom, they often generate complications and emotional challenges. Psychologists can assist in navigating such dynamics, ensuring mental and relational well-being for all individuals involved.

Common Issues in Couples Counseling

• Jealousy (often pathological)
• Infidelity and loss of trust
• Sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction
• Emotional distance or disconnection
• Lack of communication and emotional expression
• Different expectations of the relationship

Often, one partner assumes the other “knows what they want,” which leads to misunderstanding and unmet needs.

Sexuality in Relationships

A frequent issue in couples counseling is sexual dissatisfaction due to:

• Lack of communication about sexual preferences
• Trauma-related beliefs or past experiences
• Changes in self-image or sexual confidence (illness, aging, stress)
• Cultural or gender-based double standards

Couples may not fully understand each other’s sexually, leading to frustration, shame, or insecurity. Counseling helps partners better understand their own and each other’s sexuality and reconnect on a deeper emotional and physical level

Process & Format

• Couples attend sessions together, unless both agree to separate interviews.
• Between sessions, couples may receive “homework” to reflect on or act upon.
• The goal may not always be reconciliation, but rather finding a new and healthier form of relationship—whether it’s improvement or a peaceful, respectful separation.

When children are involved, counseling can prevent conflict from spilling over into the parent–child dynamic, minimizing long-term harm.

Group and Family Psychological Counseling

Group psychological counseling involves forming a therapeutic group of 3 to 8 participants. These individuals may face similar or diverse challenges and come together to explore and work through their issues in a supportive and structured setting.

Groups may be composed of:

• Individuals recovering from substance or alcohol addiction
• Sexual addiction recovery groups
• Gambling addiction groups
• Individuals living with PTSD
• People suffering from burnout or chronic stress
• Individuals with chronic or rare medical conditions

How Group Counseling Works

Group sessions focus on both individual insight and group dynamics. Members interact, express emotions, and develop empathy, acceptance, and understanding. Conflict and (un)attraction between members are viewed as opportunities for emotional learning and personal growth.

The process emphasizes emotional expression, mutual feedback, and forming deeper connections based on shared experience—not necessarily agreement or liking.

Family Counseling

In family counseling, the family is approached as a system. Each member contributes to the dynamic, and the relationship patterns between them are analyzed.

In a family of four (e.g., mother, father, daughter, son), the following interactions may emerge:

• Mother–son
• Father–daughter
• Mother–daughter
• Father–son
• Sibling–sibling

Even more complexity is introduced in blended families (e.g., step-parents, half-siblings), where biological and emotional bonds vary. These dynamics often lead to conflict, especially during or after divorce or remarriage.

Common Family Conflicts

• Emotional distance due to separation or work-related absences
• Parent–child role confusion or immaturity in adult behavior
• Parental infidelity and its impact on the children
• Communication breakdowns and unresolved issues

Even marital or extramarital affairs can sometimes be addressed within the family system—when root causes are understood, healing becomes possible.

Goal of Counseling

The aim is to restore balance and foster a new dynamic that supports emotional health for all family members, especially children. Not all family counseling leads to reconciliation—sometimes, it helps achieve a respectful, well-managed transformation of the relationship.

Online Psychological Counseling

(Individual or Couples)

In today’s fast-paced world, time is increasingly limited—even for meaningful in-person connections. As a result, many people now turn to online spaces for both personal and professional relationships, including psychological support.

Online counseling offers clients the comfort and privacy of their own home, while also saving time and energy. It provides an accessible, flexible alternative for those who cannot easily attend in-person sessions. This is also beneficial when client is far away from psychologist or for ex-Yugoslavia people who live outside their countries.

Benefits of Online Counseling

• Easily accessible regardless of location
• Convenient scheduling
• Immediate return to daily life after sessions
• Reduced travel time and cost
• Comfortable and familiar setting for the client

Despite being more structured and less spontaneous than in-person interactions, a real therapeutic connection can still develop. However, some emotional and social nuances may be less visible or less naturally expressed online.

Formats & Platforms

Online sessions are most often conducted individually, but couples sessions are also possible. While group counseling is more complex to manage online, it is not impossible.

The preferred platform is usually Google Meet, requiring both the client and psychologist to have a Gmail account.

Important Notes

• The rules and ethics of online counseling are identical to in-person counseling.
• Online counseling is ideal for clarifying questions, short-term work, or when distance is a factor.
• In some cases, clients may even feel more comfortable opening up from home than in a formal setting.