Child and adolescent psychotherapist · Ochota and online
Julia Selmaj
Psychologist, child and adolescent psychotherapist
I am a psychologist and child and adolescent psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience supporting children, teenagers, parents and adults. My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), drawing also on CBT methods and elements of schema therapy. I value a trusting therapeutic relationship and meaningful change in everyday life. I offer sessions in English and Polish, in person in Warsaw’s Ochota district and online.
Book a visitor call: 530 333 112
✓ Profile verified by the Holisens team · updated: October 2026 · Wersja polska
How I can help
The most common areas children, teenagers and parents come with.
Emotions and mood
Strong reactions of anger and frustration, difficulty regulating emotions, depression, withdrawal and loss of interest.
Anxiety and tension
Anxiety disorders, excessive worrying, social anxiety and panic attacks.
ADHD and autism spectrum
Support for children and teenagers with ADHD and on the autism spectrum, including those diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, and for their parents.
School and peers
Overload from demands, difficulty attending school, loneliness, rejection, bullying and cyberbullying.
Body, eating, self-esteem
Eating disorders, body image, perfectionism, excessive self-criticism.
Family in transition
Parental separation, conflict between parents, blended families, adjusting to a new school, moving, or living in another country.
Who I work with
Three kinds of sessions, one coherent approach to care.
Child and teenager
- psychotherapy and psychological consultations
- emotional crises, growing up, identity
- oppositional behaviour and difficulty with rules
- adjusting to changes at school and in the family
Parent
- understanding your child’s needs, emotions and behaviour
- boundaries, strong emotions, communication
- parents of children with ADHD and on the autism spectrum
- overload, helplessness, feelings of guilt
Adult
- life crises, relationships, setting boundaries
- depression, anxiety, chronic tension
- pregnancy, the perinatal period, adjusting to parenthood
- emigration, separation, career changes
Areas I work with
The full range of topics covered in my practice.
How I work
- Getting to know you. I begin by understanding your experiences, circumstances and what matters to you.
- My therapeutic approach. My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also draw on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) methods and elements of schema therapy.
- Conversation and experiential work. Alongside conversation, I use experiential exercises to help you understand your responses and develop more flexible ways of relating to difficult thoughts and emotions.
- Meaningful change. I value a trusting therapeutic relationship and changes that make a difference in your everyday life.
About me
I am a psychologist and child and adolescent psychotherapist with a degree in psychology from SWPS University in Warsaw. For over 10 years, I have worked with children, teenagers, parents and adults. My clinical experience includes public and private mental health services, alongside work in schools and preschools. I also run a private practice and have worked in both Poland and Norway.
I specialise in psychotherapy for children and adolescents, helping with emotional difficulties, depression, eating disorders, and challenges at school and in relationships. Supporting children and teenagers with ADHD and those on the autism spectrum is an important part of my work. I also offer parenting consultations and psychological support for adults facing emotional strain, life crises, relationship difficulties and significant life changes.
In my work with parents, there is space for both the child’s needs and the parent’s own experiences, concerns and questions. As a mother, I also experience the everyday joys and challenges of parenting.
Outside my professional life, I enjoy nature, the ocean, books and art. Surfing holds a special place in my life, bringing me joy and a sense of being fully present.
What the first meetings look like when a child is referred
A calm, predictable process in which parents are partners.
Consultation with the parents
The first meeting is without the child. I recommend both parents attend, to hear each one’s perspective. If both parents cannot attend, one parent can come to the consultation.
Meetings with the child
Usually about three individual meetings: building rapport, getting to know the child’s perspective and an initial assessment of difficulties and needs.
Discussion with the parents
Usually the fifth meeting, again with the parents. I share my observations, initial conclusions and a proposal for further help.
Individual support plan
Together, we agree on the next steps. Depending on the child’s and family’s needs, I may recommend psychotherapy or psychological support for the child, parenting consultations, group sessions, or a consultation with a psychiatrist or another specialist. Where appropriate, I may also recommend psychological support or psychotherapy for parents, or family therapy with a suitable specialist. I tailor the number and structure of sessions to the child’s age and needs and the family’s circumstances.
Not sure if it is the right time for therapy? You can come to the first meeting without a diagnosis and without a ready answer. Together we will decide on the next steps.
Education and experience
- Master’s degree in psychology, SWPS University in Warsaw (2016)
- Postgraduate training in cognitive behavioural psychotherapy for children and adolescents, Poza Schematami: 440 teaching hours, including 60 hours of supervision (2023–2025)
- Member of the Polish Psychiatric Association, Warsaw Branch
- Psychologist and trainer at the EKSPERT Addiction Prevention Centre since 2020: over 1000 hours of workshops and training for students, teachers and parents
- Over 10 years of experience in mental health facilities, schools and kindergartens, in Poland and Norway
- Own practice, regular work with children, teenagers, adults and parents
Documents and qualifications
Click a document to open it in full size.
Master’s diploma in psychology, SWPS
Certificate: cognitive behavioural psychotherapy for children and adolescents
Training programme (440 hours, including 60 hours of supervision)
Membership of the Polish Psychiatric Association
Reference: EKSPERT Addiction Prevention CentrePersonal data in the documents has been redacted.
Practical information
Before you come
I see clients in person in Ochota and online, so you can choose what suits you better.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child have to come to the first visit?
No. For the first consultation I invite the parents, without the child. I recommend both parents attend, to hear each one’s perspective. If a joint meeting is not possible, one parent can come.
What does the process of working with a child or teenager look like?
After the consultation with the parents, there are usually about three individual meetings with the child, to build rapport and make an initial assessment of the difficulties. The next meeting, usually the fifth, is again with the parents: I discuss my observations and propose further help tailored to the child’s situation.
Do you see adults?
Yes. I offer psychological consultations for adults, including for life crises, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety, pregnancy and after the birth of a child, and during emigration.
Do you hold sessions in English?
Yes, I hold consultations and sessions in English and Polish, in person in Ochota and online.
What approach do you work in?
The closest to me is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I also use cognitive behavioural methods (CBT) and elements of schema therapy, and I combine conversation with experiential work and exercises.
Do I need a diagnosis to book?
No. You can come to the first meeting without a diagnosis and without a ready answer to what you need. It is enough that something worries you or your usual ways of coping are no longer enough.
When and where do you see clients?
Wednesdays and Fridays, 2:00–7:00 pm, in person in Ochota (ul. Filtrowa 30/24) and online.
How much does a session cost?
A session with me costs 320 PLN. The first consultation with parents is booked like any other meeting, and the full price list of the clinic is on the Price list page.
Book a consultation with Julia Selmaj
Sessions in Ochota and online, in English and Polish.
