Child Psychologist Warsaw

Child psychology focuses on understanding the emotions, behaviours and development of a child at various stages of their life. This means working not only with the child themselves, but also with their environment, primarily with parents who observe changes and difficulties on a daily basis.

Children who are experiencing specific crises, as well as those showing more subtle signals – withdrawal, relationship difficulties, mood changes or problems at school – are referred to the child psychology clinic.

When should you see a psychologist with your child?

It is not always easy to assess whether a given behaviour is still within the developmental norm or already requires a consultation. Most often, parents decide to visit when they notice that something has changed – the child reacts differently than before, or the difficulties persist over a longer period.

The most common reasons for referrals include:

emotional difficulties – anxiety, sadness, excessive irritability,
adaptation problems in nursery or school,
difficulties in peer relationships,
outbursts of anger, impulsiveness,
sleep or eating problems,
crisis situations in the family (divorce, illness, change of environment),
suspected developmental disorders or cognitive difficulties.

In many cases, a consultation does not mean starting long-term therapy but allows you to organise the situation and determine the next steps.

What does the first consultation with a child psychologist look like?

The first meeting usually takes place with the parent or guardian present. It is a time to calmly discuss the situation – what causes concern, when the difficulties appeared and how the child functions on a daily basis.

Depending on the child's age:

younger children participate in the meeting together with the parent,
older children and teenagers may have part of the visit individually.

The psychologist observes the way of communication, the child's reactions and the relationship with the guardian. Often, even at this stage, it is possible to determine whether the difficulty is developmental, situational, or requires more in-depth work.

Psychological support for children at OpenMed

Working with a child looks different from working with an adult. Depending on the age, conversation, play, elements of work with emotions and exercises adapted to the child's abilities are used.

The goal is not just to "solve the problem", but to:

understand emotions and ways of reacting,
develop skills for coping in difficult situations,
improve functioning in relationships,
support development and a sense of security.

An important element is also cooperation with parents. They receive practical advice for everyday situations – how to react, how to talk to the child and how to support them outside the consulting room.

The role of the parent in the support process

In child psychology, the parent is not just an observer. Their involvement has a real impact on the results of the work.

Often, changing a few patterns in daily functioning, the way of reacting to the child's emotions or communication, brings noticeable improvement. Therefore, some meetings may take the form of parental consultations, without the child's participation.

Individual approach to each case

There is no single working model that fits all children. Each situation is analysed individually, taking into account the age, developmental stage, environment and current experiences of the child.

At OpenMed Warsaw Wola psychological consultations for children are conducted by child psychologist and assessor Ms Joanna Hawryszko. Everything takes place in a calm, safe atmosphere that fosters openness and trust. This makes it possible not only to understand the difficulties but also to provide real support for the child and their family in everyday functioning.