Katarzyna

Mrs Katarzyna Akhtar

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

“I am an experienced psychoanalytic psychotherapist and clinical supervisor with over two decades of experience working in the National Health Service and in private practice in Poland, the UK, the UAE and Portugal. I work with adults and young people, offering both in-depth, long-term treatment and brief therapeutic interventions.”

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About Me

My original background is in teaching but for many years, prior to becoming a psychotherapist, I was deeply involved in the work within therapeutic communities. This included work with people with severe mental health problems, traumatised refugees and victims of violence. In my psychotherapy practice I provide a space for self-discovery and reflection. I view psychoanalysis and psychotherapy as an exploratory process, in which the analytic encounter may facilitate psychological growth and development.

Approach

I offer in-depth, psychoanalytically informed psychotherapy, with a flexible approach attuned to the individual’s needs. I work with mood-related difficulties, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, as well as complex, long-standing, and personality-related issues. My specialist clinical interests are in the areas of trauma, abuse, relationships and sexuality. Sessions typically take place one to three times weekly, depending on clinical indication and individual circumstances.
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Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.

    Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Psychoanalysis

    An in-depth therapy that explores unconscious patterns, early experiences, and inner conflicts to produce lasting psychological change, typically involving frequent sessions.

    Learn more about Psychoanalysis
  • Supervision & Training

    Combined clinical supervision and professional development for mental health practitioners building their skills and expertise.

    Learn more about Supervision & Training
  • Psychoeducation

    Structured information provided about a mental health condition (what it is, why it occurs, and what strategies can help) as part of the therapeutic process.

    Learn more about Psychoeducation
  • MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)

    A therapy that strengthens the ability to understand one's own mental states and those of others, improving emotional regulation and relationships.

    Learn more about MBT (Mentalisation-Based Therapy)

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Groups
  • Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Bipolar

    A mood disorder involving episodes of mania (abnormally elevated mood and energy) alternating with episodes of depression, affecting judgement, sleep, and daily functioning.

    Learn more about Bipolar
  • Intimacy Issues

    Difficulties with emotional or physical closeness in relationships, including fear of vulnerability, avoidance of connection, or sexual concerns.

    Learn more about Intimacy Issues
  • Postnatal or Perinatal Depression

    Depression occurring during pregnancy or in the months following childbirth, affecting mood, energy, bonding with the baby, and daily functioning.

    Learn more about Postnatal or Perinatal Depression
  • Young Adult Issues

    The unique psychological challenges of emerging adulthood (18–25), including identity formation, independence, relationship navigation, and finding direction.

    Learn more about Young Adult Issues
  • Trauma

    The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.

    Learn more about Trauma

Professional Title:

  • Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

    A psychotherapist who integrates psychoanalytic understanding into therapy, exploring unconscious dynamics and relational patterns.

Credentials

Registrations

British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Qualifications

Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychoanalytic Supervision

the SAP, Society for Analytical Psychology

Year: 2022

Service Areas

Katarzyna Akhtar Psychotherapy

In-person & Online

Cascais, Lisbon

Portugal

Cascais, Portugal