Approach · Gestalt therapy

What is Gestalt therapy

In short: Gestalt therapy is an approach where we explore your experience "here and now": what you feel, what's happening in your body, and how you connect with yourself and other people. It isn't advice or ready-made recipes — it's a space where you learn to hear yourself better and find your own answers.

Where it comes from

Gestalt therapy emerged in the mid-20th century; Fritz and Laura Perls and Paul Goodman are regarded as its founders. "Gestalt" is German for "whole" or "form" — the approach looks at the whole person: thoughts, feelings, body and relationships together.

The main ideas, in plain words

Here and now. Even when we talk about the past or the future, what matters is how it feels for you right now.
Awareness. Noticing what you feel, what you want and what you do is often the first step to change.
Contact. How you relate to yourself, other people and the world — and where that contact breaks.
The body. Tension, tiredness, breathing are important information about what's happening to you.
Dialogue. The therapist doesn't "know better" — we explore together, and your experience comes first.

What it looks like in a session

We talk about what matters to you, and I help you notice feelings, bodily sensations and repeating ways of reacting. Sometimes I may suggest a small experiment — for example, saying something out loud or paying attention to your body. You can always say no.

Gestalt therapy works well online: all you need is a quiet space and a stable connection.

My Gestalt training

BA in Psychology — Odesa National Medical University, 2017
MA in Psychology — Odesa National Economic University, 2024
Trauma therapy specialization — KIGIP (Kyiv Institute of Gestalt and Psychodrama), 2025–2026, completed. It covered war trauma, loss, grief, relocation and experiences of sexual violence
Gestalt therapy training under supervision (in progress) — KIGIP, since 2023
Gestalt therapy training — GATLA (Los Angeles), completed 2025
Regular supervision

I'm a Gestalt therapist in training and work under regular supervision, which means a more experienced colleague continuously supports and reviews my work.

Format and fees

Individual online sessions · 50 minutes · ≈ €34 / 1500 UAH · in Ukrainian or English. I work online with Ukrainians in Ukraine and anywhere in Europe — including Germany, Poland and Czechia. I also offer couples therapy — 90 minutes, ≈ €57 / 2500 UAH.

I don't provide emergency help. If you are in danger right now or thinking about harming yourself, contact emergency services where you are. In Ukraine and EU countries, the emergency number is 112.

Frequently asked questions

How is Gestalt therapy different from a friend's advice? We don't look for "the right way". We explore what's happening for you, so you can find your own decisions.

Do I need to know anything about Gestalt to start? No. It's enough to come with what's troubling you.

How long does therapy take? It depends on what you bring. We decide the length and rhythm together.

Would you like to try?

Message me on WhatsApp — we'll start with a free intro call of up to 10 minutes. No commitment.

Message on WhatsApp

Viktoriia Volynko

Psychologist, MA in Psychology. Trauma therapy specialization (KIGIP). Gestalt therapist in training. About me →