Elena Gracheva
a practicing psychologist
gestalt therapist
I work with adults individually and in pairs
in Russian and English
in Russian and English
My name is Elena Gracheva. I am a practicing psychologist, gestalt therapist, a mother of two and an emigrant
Psychotherapy is my second degree and the field to which I have decided to dedicate my life.
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In my youth, I faced intense emotional challenges that I had to overcome on my own. This made me realize that no one deserves to be alone during harsh moments of life. I am ready to be the person who is there for others, even when everyone else has turned away — and provide a reliable, supportive, safe, and, most importantly, professionally competent presence.
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Human stories touch and captivate me, and I am open not only to analyzing them but also to being there as someone caring and responsive.
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In my youth, I faced intense emotional challenges that I had to overcome on my own. This made me realize that no one deserves to be alone during harsh moments of life. I am ready to be the person who is there for others, even when everyone else has turned away — and provide a reliable, supportive, safe, and, most importantly, professionally competent presence.
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Human stories touch and captivate me, and I am open not only to analyzing them but also to being there as someone caring and responsive.
Maintaining sensitivity without losing stability is an art my profession has taught me and one that I can share. Along this path, there may be missteps and falls, but putting oneself together afterward and returning to life is also a skill I can help develop.
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I am 36 years old, have been married for over 10 years, and am raising two sons. In September 2022 we left Russia, spent 2 years in Belgrade, Serbia, and have now settled in Prague, Czech Republic.
I speak English fluently and French at a lower level.
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I am 36 years old, have been married for over 10 years, and am raising two sons. In September 2022 we left Russia, spent 2 years in Belgrade, Serbia, and have now settled in Prague, Czech Republic.
I speak English fluently and French at a lower level.
Session Format
If there are international couples among your friends who speak English to each other and are looking for an English-speaking family psychologist, tell them about me:
• I work with adults individually and with couples (LGBTQ+ friendly)
• Online (Zoom): Individual sessions (55 minutes)
• In-person: Individual sessions in Prague (55 minutes)
• Couples therapy (online/in-person): 85 minutes
• Work is available in two languages: Russian and English
• Online (Zoom): Individual sessions (55 minutes)
• In-person: Individual sessions in Prague (55 minutes)
• Couples therapy (online/in-person): 85 minutes
• Work is available in two languages: Russian and English
Areas of specialization
• Relationship issues (friendships, romantic relationships, family dynamics, parent-child relationships, workplace relationships, and others)
• Repeating life patterns (e.g., meeting the same type of partners, encountering similar situations)
• Boredom in relationships (including sexual dissatisfaction)
• Emotional dependence and abusive relationships
• Couple conflicts
• Acute crises (relocation, emigration, divorce, childbirth, loss of a loved one, midlife crisis)
• Loneliness
• Lack of understanding of one’s desires or their absence
• Anxiety, emptiness, apathy, and lack of joy in life
• Body image issues and difficulties with eating behavior
I do not work with
• Active stages of chemical addictions (drugs, alcohol)
• Clients under 18 years old
• Close friends, relatives or partners — either mine or those of my existing clients
Organizational aspects of therapy
Therapeutic work typically involves weekly sessions, preferably at the same time each week. This frequency ensures a strong client-therapist alliance and optimal progress.
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For clients in acute crisis, the frequency of sessions may increase upon request.
During the supportive phase of therapy, sessions may shift to every two weeks.
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For clients in acute crisis, the frequency of sessions may increase upon request.
During the supportive phase of therapy, sessions may shift to every two weeks.
Simply write to me through any communication channel. You don’t need to have a fully formed request — it can be developed during our work based on your discomfort or complaints. We will briefly get to know each other in our initial correspondence and discuss whether there’s a suitable time slot for therapy in my schedule.
• Individual Online Session: €50 / 5000 RUB / 1300 CZK
• Couple Online Session: €80 / 8000 RUB / 2000 CZK
• In-Person Session price includes an additional fee for office rental, totaling 1600 CZK or 2300 CZK respectfully
• RUB: Transfer to an Alfa-Bank card
• Other Currencies: Transfer via PayPal
• Cash: Accepted for in-person sessions (on the day of the session)
• Other Currencies: Transfer via PayPal
• Cash: Accepted for in-person sessions (on the day of the session)
• If you are late: The session will still end at the scheduled time.
• If I am late: The next session will be extended by the corresponding amount of time.
• If I am late: The next session will be extended by the corresponding amount of time.
• Sessions must be canceled or rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session are subject to full payment retention.
• If I cancel a session due to personal reasons, the next session will be 50% off.
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the session are subject to full payment retention.
• If I cancel a session due to personal reasons, the next session will be 50% off.
1. Choose a private, quiet location where you will not be interrupted or overheard.
2. Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection and good lighting. It’s important that your face is clearly visible.
3. Secure your device on a stable surface. Make sure it is fully charged or have a charger ready.
4. Prepare for your comfort: have water and tissues on hand, as emotional release (e.g., tears) is a natural part of therapy.
2. Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection and good lighting. It’s important that your face is clearly visible.
3. Secure your device on a stable surface. Make sure it is fully charged or have a charger ready.
4. Prepare for your comfort: have water and tissues on hand, as emotional release (e.g., tears) is a natural part of therapy.
• Sessions require you to be in a completely sober state.
• The use of psychoactive substances before or during the session is strictly prohibited, as it negates the therapeutic process.
• Smoking during the session is also discouraged.
• The use of psychoactive substances before or during the session is strictly prohibited, as it negates the therapeutic process.
• Smoking during the session is also discouraged.
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of a safe therapeutic space. I guarantee that everything shared during our sessions remains private.
Your case will not be shared on social media, even anonymously.
The only exceptions to confidentiality are supervision and peer consultations (intervision):
• Supervision: Consultations with a more experienced therapist to ensure professional growth, address blind spots, and deepen the work on your case.
• Intervision: Discussions with peer colleagues about similar cases to exchange expertise.
Notes taken during sessions are strictly for internal use only.
If you disclose plans to harm someone or commit a crime, I am legally obligated to report this to the authorities.
You are free to share details about our work with anyone you choose.
Your case will not be shared on social media, even anonymously.
The only exceptions to confidentiality are supervision and peer consultations (intervision):
• Supervision: Consultations with a more experienced therapist to ensure professional growth, address blind spots, and deepen the work on your case.
• Intervision: Discussions with peer colleagues about similar cases to exchange expertise.
Notes taken during sessions are strictly for internal use only.
If you disclose plans to harm someone or commit a crime, I am legally obligated to report this to the authorities.
You are free to share details about our work with anyone you choose.
What to Expect from Therapy
First Session
Focuses on getting to know you and gathering background information. This includes discussing not only your current concerns but also family dynamics, relationships, occupations, addictions, and relevant personal history. We will also discuss your past experiences with psychologists or psychiatrists, if applicable.
Exploration
We will examine the reasons that brought you to therapy and create a strategy to address them.
Therapeutic Request
Together, we will define a specific focus for the therapy. Additional requests or concerns may arise during the process, which is completely normal and can be integrated into our work.
Therapy progress is non-linear and depends on factors like the complexity of the issue, psychological flexibility, resistance, trust in the therapist, and life circumstances. While some issues may resolve quickly, others require gradual work as small changes build up before a breakthrough occurs.
To make the most of therapy, I encourage radical honesty and active participation.
Focuses on getting to know you and gathering background information. This includes discussing not only your current concerns but also family dynamics, relationships, occupations, addictions, and relevant personal history. We will also discuss your past experiences with psychologists or psychiatrists, if applicable.
Exploration
We will examine the reasons that brought you to therapy and create a strategy to address them.
Therapeutic Request
Together, we will define a specific focus for the therapy. Additional requests or concerns may arise during the process, which is completely normal and can be integrated into our work.
Therapy progress is non-linear and depends on factors like the complexity of the issue, psychological flexibility, resistance, trust in the therapist, and life circumstances. While some issues may resolve quickly, others require gradual work as small changes build up before a breakthrough occurs.
To make the most of therapy, I encourage radical honesty and active participation.
Navigating Difficult Emotions
It’s natural to experience intense emotions during and between sessions.
Please inform me of any discomfort or unsettling feelings that arise.
Professional Boundaries
Communication besides sessions is limited to organizational matters, unless otherwise agreed upon in crisis situations.
The relationship between client and therapist remains strictly professional.
Feelings such as a desire for friendship, attraction, or love are normal and should be addressed during therapy. They can provide valuable material for personal progress.
Discussing Concerns About Therapy
If you have any doubts, criticisms, or questions about the therapeutic process, I invite you to discuss them openly with me. These discussions are an essential part of the process.
Ending Therapy
You may conclude therapy at any time. However, it’s recommended to schedule a final session to reflect on the work done and ensure closure.
After completing therapy, you’re welcome to return in the future if needed, provided I have available time slots.
It’s natural to experience intense emotions during and between sessions.
Please inform me of any discomfort or unsettling feelings that arise.
Professional Boundaries
Communication besides sessions is limited to organizational matters, unless otherwise agreed upon in crisis situations.
The relationship between client and therapist remains strictly professional.
Feelings such as a desire for friendship, attraction, or love are normal and should be addressed during therapy. They can provide valuable material for personal progress.
Discussing Concerns About Therapy
If you have any doubts, criticisms, or questions about the therapeutic process, I invite you to discuss them openly with me. These discussions are an essential part of the process.
Ending Therapy
You may conclude therapy at any time. However, it’s recommended to schedule a final session to reflect on the work done and ensure closure.
After completing therapy, you’re welcome to return in the future if needed, provided I have available time slots.
- Education
- Bachelor’s in Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (MGPPU), 2015
- Theory and Practice of Gestalt Therapy, Moscow Gestalt Institute (EAGT standards – European Association of Gestalt Therapy), 2019–2022
- Specialization: Integrative Family Therapy, Moscow Gestalt Institute, 2020–2021 (180 hours)
- Advanced Training
- Eating Disorder Therapy (Russian Psychosomatics Society Psysoma), 2020 (22 hours)
- Working with Trauma from Violence (Gestalt Podhod Center), 2023 (36 hours)
- Work experience, personal therapy and supervision
- Over 5 years of practice (since September 2019)
- Under regular supervision (200+ hours)
- 6 years of regular personal therapy as a client (250+ hours)
How to contact me
I conduct a face-to-face appointment at
Bělehradská 643/77, 120 00 Nové Město,
Praha 2
If you have any questions, you can contact me on Telegram, via WhatsApp or email:
Bělehradská 643/77, 120 00 Nové Město,
Praha 2
If you have any questions, you can contact me on Telegram, via WhatsApp or email: