Our services
Rainbows and Clouds offers individual psychological counseling services aimed at improving mental health and well-being. We offer live and online counseling services to people from the LGBTIQ+ population, young people, and adult neurodivergent people (people with autism and/or ADHD). In addition to psychological counseling, we also offer the option of EMDR trauma treatment and education and webinars.
However, we are also aware that by the previous statement we have said everything (to those more experienced in psychological counseling) and nothing (to people who may be planning to share with a psychologist the things that are bothering them for the first time). If some of the terms mentioned here are not very clear to you, don't worry, it took us years and years of education to clarify some things. That is why we have prepared a list of frequently asked questions, which is shown below. :)
What is psychological counseling?
Psychological counseling can be understood as a conversation with an expert about mental health and well-being. But why would you talk to an expert about your mental health? The wise Greeks, in their effort to understand life and its meaning, came up with the concept of "Panta rhei" ("everything flows" or "only change is constant in this world" according to the poetic translation by Petar Preradović). In other words, life is big and dynamic - full of change. These changes can be pleasant or unpleasant and concern our health, interpersonal relationships, education, work, identity or other issues that are important to us, and not all changes have to be equally burdensome or important. If we stick to the metaphor of a stream and imagine our life as a small stream, we will easily fit a pebble (an accident) into its flow and carry it with us. However, if a tree falls on our small stream, blocking the normal flow of water, carrying the occasional pebble will become increasingly difficult, until the tree and pebbles completely block the flow. What will happen to the stream then? It may overflow its bed and flood the surrounding area, or it may break through a new bed. But where will its water end up? Where it is planned to end, where it wants to end, where it is most useful to end up, or where a few pebbles and branches have decided by chance to end up? And what will happen to all those who depend on its water? Life is full of events, and adjusting to some of them (the tree) can be difficult for us - so difficult that it drains our resources to cope with the remaining daily challenges (the pebbles). Then even ordinary challenges and tasks can seem like insurmountable obstacles, and in the effort to somehow solve them, we can do more harm than good to ourselves and the people we care about in the long run. Sometimes this means unintentionally losing someone or something important irretrievably. Life can then become monotonous and gray. The goal of psychological counseling is to enable you to build your resources and "restore the shine" of your colors in situations when life becomes gray (or when you realize that it could become so if you make the wrong decision) or to enrich your rainbow (identity) with a new color (trait, skill or habit) necessary for successfully dealing with the challenges that life puts before you. In general, the goal of psychological counseling is to help you achieve mental well-being because in such a state we have the most resources to deal with life's challenges. Sounds better than leaving key life decisions to unfortunate coincidences, doesn't it? Although a psychologist is not there to offer you ready-made solutions, they will impartially guide you through exploring different options (some of which you may not see because you have been exposed to the situation for too long) and tools that can help you achieve well-being. You are not weak or stupid if you ask for help because you have not been able to navigate every situation that life has put in front of you - it is better to ask (experts) than to wander.
Is psychological counseling only for diagnosed individuals?
No, but we understand where such information comes from - and for a long time (until the end of the last century) science left human well-being aside, focusing primarily on human problems. The profession followed science, so that during the last century, psychologists mainly dealt with mental disorders and illnesses. However, at some point, a shift occurred - both psychologists and clients realized that the potential benefit of psychological counseling was too great to wait until the "last minute" - a situation when personal problems become so serious that they lead to hospitalization. Therefore, people began to openly approach psychologists with questions about "everyday" situations, such as organizing time, setting goals, peacefully resolving conflicts, setting healthy boundaries, or developing their own strengths. It is roughly the same today: although some of the clients of psychological counseling are people with a diagnosis, the majority are people who are "just having trouble with something and would like to solve it". This means that they do not necessarily have a diagnosis, but they have a problem about the solution of which they would like to consult with a mental health and interpersonal relationship expert. A "better" reason for visiting a psychologist is not needed. :)
Can any psychological problem be solved within a few sessions?
Yes. If your goal is to organize yourself around passing an exam, the situation will probably be resolved in a few meetings. However, if your goal is to make fundamental changes in your identity, counseling will probably take longer. So, the answer to this question largely depends on what you would like to work on. However, what we can say is that at Rainbows and Clouds, we do not rely on therapeutic approaches that advocate letting counseling last "as long as necessary without any interference", so the scenario from the movies in which a person visits a psychologist for years without visible progress is certainly not going to happen. :)
How often should I schedule counseling?
This also depends on the reason you are coming in and the way you approach it. Some clients see the psychologist as a "temporary strategist" and come in occasionally, "when things get tough". Such an approach is not bad in itself (and there is no point in the client coming in if the reason has been resolved). However, if breaks occur, it is highly desirable that they do not occur in the middle of working on a problem. Therefore, it is generally recommended that people working on a problem visit a psychologist at least once every two weeks until they reach a satisfactory solution to that specific problem.
Can psychologists talk about my issue?
In general, you don't need to worry that two psychologists will meet for coffee and judge you and discuss your problems in front of a full cafe. A psychologist is obliged to act in the function of your well-being, and that is why psychologists, as a rule, never share your intimate details with others. The above "as a rule" has its exceptions: the psychologist is obliged to inform the institutions if you show clear and very specific intentions of causing significant harm to yourself or others. This does not mean that the psychologist will report you to the institutions if you say that you once had suicidal thoughts or wanted to hit someone because that person got on your nerves. However, if the psychologist judges that cooperation with other institutions is necessary for the benefit of you and society, then he is obliged to share your information (exclusively with the relevant institutions) to ensure that you do not create a deeper problem for yourself while trying to solve the existing one. It is important to emphasize that even if such a situation occurs, the psychologist will talk to you about it - he will not do it behind your back. There is another exception that stems from the fact that even psychologists are only human and cannot know everything - let alone find all ways out of an existing situation. In these situations, the psychologist can consult with another psychologist whom he judges to be more experienced in situations like yours - we call this supervision. However, even in that case, the psychologist will not provide potentially identifying information about you, but will only roughly describe your case (at the level of: I have one client, an employed heterosexual neurodivergent man in his thirties from the Zagreb area, whose partner constantly complains that he is not a good team player, so I am interested in how I could bring him closer to what team spirit is and how to develop it with a partner). In short, the psychologist will not reveal your identifying information unless it is the only way to help your well-being. Eventually, again for your benefit, the psychologist can talk about your case with a more experienced colleague, but even then she will not share information by which that other psychologist (or anyone else) could identify you.
Can I experience some unpleasant consequences of visiting a psychologist?
You should not experience unpleasant social consequences due to visiting a psychologist (that is, the psychologist will not cause them). If you don't want it, you don't need to share with anyone that you are visiting a psychologist (which is especially easy because we offer the possibility of online counseling, so no one can even see you coming to a place). Since the psychologist will not (except in the above-mentioned exceptions) tell anyone about you and your case, the control over the information about whether you go to the psychologist and what you are working on is completely in your hands. As for the personal consequences, the level of discomfort of meeting with a psychologist should not exceed the levels you encounter in everyday life (of course, you will not be comfortable talking about your traumas or fears with a psychologist, but it should not be any more uncomfortable than everyday situations which you deal with and which remind you of discomfort). The psychologist will not judge you, but will help you in your search for solutions. Rainbows and clouds do not support practices of intensive exposure to unpleasant situations, and we as a profession have given up electric shocks a long time ago, so facing reality is the "most painful" situation we can put you in. Although it can be uncomfortable, understanding the situation is the first step toward solving the problem (and, again, it shouldn't be any more uncomfortable than everyday experiences). A good psychologist will try to reduce your discomfort even when facing an unpleasant reality.
What does a typical counseling session look like?
After the initial greeting and comfortable accommodation, the psychologist asks you how you are and if anything important has happened since the previous meeting. If you are coming for the first time, the psychologist explains the rules of conduct to you, after which you sign that you understand and agree with them. If you agreed at the previous meeting that you will try something or do something in the meantime, the psychologist asks you how it went (and does not judge if you did not succeed the first time). This is followed by the main section where you determine the topic of the meeting (eg problems with test anxiety, romantic relationships or business decisions). After you present the topic, the psychologist will probably ask a few more sub-questions in order to understand it better, and then you will embark together on a search for a satisfactory solution to the situation. When it comes to larger, longer-term and more complex topics, it is usually not possible to make dramatic progress in one meeting. In that case, you and the psychologist will roughly agree on an approach to the topic and what you will do during the next few meetings. This is how we work because it is better for you to solve part by part 100% than to start everything at once and then solve nothing (or solve something half-heartedly). Most of the more serious problems do not arise in an hour, so we cannot expect even an hour of psychological counseling to solve everything. However, even an hour of psychological counseling can be enough to set you on the path to effective problem solving. Regardless of whether you managed to search the entire problem and find several potential solutions in one hour, or whether it will still take a bit more time, towards the end of the appointment the psychologist will inform you that you have a few more minutes and try to summarize what you went through and what further steps you have agreed . And that's about it. It is possible that you will fill out another questionnaire in the process with the aim of more precise diagnosis of the problem (which we still do not do in Rainbows and Clouds). Be that as it may, after the psychological consultation you will not go home with a diagnosis (although the psychologist may suspect one and tell you so) or a list for the pharmacy (in Croatia, psychologists do not issue prescriptions for drugs) - we may be able to recommend a more competent specialist in situations such as yours.
How do you approach counseling?
As Rainbows and Clouds psychologists, we foster an individualized, holistic, and integrative approach to psychological counseling. That means that we strive to better understand the situation from your perspective and find a solution that is acceptable to you (individualized), but is also long-term sustainable and acceptable to your environment (holistic) by combining counseling principles derived from major psychological schools, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, therapy focused on compassion, mindfulness, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, and transactional analysis (integrative). As pioneers in the field of modern well-being research concluded, if the only tool you have is a hammer, you will only be able to treat the problems life throws at you as if they were nails. Therefore, in Rainbows and Clouds, we try to develop as wide an arsenal of tools as possible (that is, perspective) so that we can help you as successfully as possible in facing the challenges that life puts before you. After all, the mind is like a parachute, it works best when it's open, right?
What is cognitive-behavioral therapy?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people recognize and change negative patterns of thinking and behavior that can lead to emotional problems. CBT was developed in the 1960s by psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck, and is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are not independent, but influence each other. CBT principles are used in counseling to address a wide range of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, phobias, eating disorders, and stress management. The application of these techniques is especially effective for people with low self-esteem or people often exposed to stress due to irrational beliefs and negative thought patterns. During CBT, clients learn to recognize destructive thoughts, challenge them and replace them with more positive and realistic thinking. They also apply concrete techniques and exercises to change behavior in everyday life, which contributes to long-term change. Scientific research consistently confirms the high effectiveness of CBT in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems, and the results are often long-lasting. You can find more about it at the following links: •https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK67167/ •https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2774861 •https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/wps.21069 •https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6902232/ •https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4029924/
What is transactional analysis?
Transactional analysis (TA) is a psychotherapeutic approach aimed at understanding and improving communication and interpersonal relationships. It was developed in the 1950s by the psychiatrist Eric Berne. The basic idea of TA is that people function through three ego states: the Child, Adult, and Parent ego states. These ego states affect how we interact with others and experience the world. TA is used to gain insight into personal behavior patterns, improve communication skills, and resolve conflicts in various areas of life, from business to personal relationships. Transactional analysis also studies the concepts of prohibitions and permissions that play a key role in shaping our beliefs and behaviors. Bans are negative messages we receive in childhood that can limit our self-confidence and success (e.g., "You mustn't make mistakes" or "Don't show feelings"). On the other hand, permissions are positive messages that release these internal blockages and encourage us to healthy development (e.g., "you are allowed to be honest" or "you can succeed"). In TA, therapists work with clients to identify these internal prohibitions and encourage them to adopt new, constructive permissions. Through this process, TA helps individuals make positive changes in their lives, improving personal development and relationships. The results of conducted scientific research also speak in favor of the effectiveness of transactional analysis. You can find out more about them at: •https://mirep.metanoia.ac.uk/id/eprint/19/1/Comparison%20of%20TA%20group%20and%20individual%20therapy%20Author%20final.pdf •https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00221678221117111 •https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03621537.2021.1904364
What is compassion-focused therapy?
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is a type of psychotherapy developed to strengthen self-compassion and reduce self-criticism in people struggling with problems such as depression, anxiety, and shame. It is extremely suitable for people who set very high goals for themselves and are rarely satisfied with themselves or their achievements, often due to a constant internal critical dialogue. CFT's founder, psychologist Paul Gilbert, designed this therapy to encourage positive emotions and self-compassion, helping individuals overcome destructive inner criticism and negative thought patterns. CFT uses techniques such as visualizations, mindfulness, and exercises aimed at activating the brain's calming and safety systems. Through these techniques, the client develops warmth and understanding towards himself, which leads to greater emotional well-being and resistance to stress. Scientific research supports the effectiveness of CFT in improving psychological health and reducing feelings of shame and self-criticism, making it useful for anyone who wants to develop a healthier self-relationship. More about the results of such research at: •https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723000228 •https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2024-33588-001.pdf •https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/bjc.12394 •https://ehnvallkbtkompetens.se/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Meta-Analysis-of-Compassion-Based.pdf •https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10094000/1/Spector_Compassion%20Focused%20Therapy_AAM.pdf
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness or "conscious presence" is a mental practice based on focusing attention on the present moment, without judgment and with full awareness of one's own thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. This technique has its roots in Buddhist meditation, but has been modernized for use in therapy and everyday life. One of the pioneers of mindfulness in Western psychology is Jon Kabat-Zinn, who developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in the late 1970s, designed to manage stress and improve quality of life. Mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. During mindfulness practice, the client learns to recognize and accept his thoughts and feelings without reacting impulsively, which improves emotional stability and resistance to stress. Scientific research supports the benefits of mindfulness for mental health, including reducing symptoms of depression and increasing emotional regulation. You can find out more about them at the following links: •https://moseschikoti.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Effects-of-mindfulness-exercises-as-stand-alone-intervention-on-symptoms-of-anxiety-and-depression-Systematic-review-and-meta-analysis.pdf •https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2848393/?trk=public_post_comment-text •https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109580/ •https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK153338/
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a method of psychotherapy that uses guided eye movements to process and reduce the intensity of traumatic memories and emotional reactions. It was developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, when she discovered that eye movements can help process emotionally distressing memories. EMDR is particularly effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, phobias, and other trauma-related conditions. During therapy, the client focuses on the traumatic memory while following the movements of the therapist's fingers, which helps the brain process the memory in a less distressing way. Scientific research shows the high effectiveness of EMDR in reducing trauma symptoms and improving emotional stability. You can find more about the effectiveness of EMDR at: •https://emdr-belgium.be/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EMDR-for-Depression-A-Meta-Analysis-and-Systematic-Review.pdf •https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/20008198.2021.1894736 •https://repository.umj.ac.id/12763/1/Yunitri%20et%20al%2C%202020_EMDR%20Anxiety.pdf •https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801 •https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0254778
Where does counseling take place?
If you have a stable internet connection and a space where you feel safe and can honestly and openly talk about what worries you, psychological counseling can be conducted online. Otherwise (or, of course, if you prefer live meetings), you can drop by our space in Zagreb (Dubrava). The area for psychological counselling is shown in the photos below (we also have a secondary area that is primarily used for online activities due to its size).
What determines the price of counseling?
Why does psychological counseling cost as much as it does? In short, because in Rainbows and Clouds we strive to be fair to everyone - to clients (giving them the maximum quality of service, which consumes a lot of mental resources), to society (by helping clients, we ultimately make the world a more pleasant place to live), but also to ourselves ( ensuring fair wages and working conditions). When we deduct all taxes and other obligations from the hourly rate, constant investments in equipment and training in order to provide the highest quality service, and occasional supervision necessary so that we don't burn ourselves out in the effort to help others, the room for maneuvering in terms of prices disappears. More detailed information on prices is available on the "Pricing" page.
How do I schedule a session?
If you are contacting us for the first time, you can ask for an appointment by clicking the "Entry list" (using the button below or on the "Pricing" page). The enrollment list is actually a waiting list - when an appointment becomes available and it's your turn, we'll contact you a few days earlier. If your first meeting with us went well and you want to continue with psychological counseling, you can independently book one of the offered appointments on the "Pricing" page in the next few weeks. If you are interested in any of the non-standard services, you can contact us directly by email (info@dugeioblaci.com).
