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Looking for an English-speaking therapist?

I'm Irena-Marie Makowska

I’m a mental health specialist, psychotherapist and workshop facilitator, and I work with individuals, leaders and organisations who are navigating anxiety, trauma, burnout, emotional overwhelm and sustained pressure.

 

Much of my work is with people who appear capable and high-functioning on the outside, yet feel unsettled, exhausted or disconnected internally. My role is to help you regain clarity, emotional balance and resilience in a way that feels safe, practical and sustainable. The basis of all my work is in neuroscience-led subconscious transformation.

 

I’m based in France and work with English-speaking clients internationally, both online and in person.

Photo of Irena standing in front of a fence

Why I do This Work

Like many people I support, I’ve experienced my own life challenges. Those experiences shaped not only my resilience, but also the values that underpin how I work.

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I believe deeply in kindness, care and personal responsibility, not as abstract ideals, but as essential foundations for real change.

 

Over the years, I’ve developed a strong understanding of how our emotions, thoughts and behaviours influence not only our own wellbeing, but also the people around us, in families, teams and leadership roles.

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This awareness sits at the heart of everything I do.

My Background

I originally trained as a BBC radio journalist, before working in PR and media relations, both in-house and agency side.

 

I later retrained in therapy, bringing together communication, psychology and neuroscience in a way that allows me to work comfortably across private clinical work and organisational settings.

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I’ve lived and worked in South Africa, the United Kingdom and France, and in 2012 I founded Focus Wellbeing to create work that truly reflects what I care about: supporting people through pressure, change and vulnerability with depth, respect and integrity.

 

I’m also a TEDx speaker, delivering the talk “I Am Not a Robot – Rebooting the Human in You”, which explores human resilience and performance in a high-pressure world.

My Areas of Expertise

I work integratively, drawing on evidence-informed and neuroscience-based approaches, including:

  • BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT®)

  • Clinical Hypnotherapy

  • Psychology of Identity and Behaviour

  • Emotional Intelligence

  • Visual Mental Imagery

  • Transformational Coaching and Mindfulness

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This allows me to tailor my work carefully to each person or organisation, often without the need to repeatedly revisit distressing experiences.

“Irena is wonderful and her therapy methods incredibly effective. I was in a dark place and really struggling after the first lockdown. Sessions with Irena helped me to get a bit of control by giving me methods to overcome patterns of negative thinking and boost my mood and energy – the effects have been long-lasting. I can’t recommend her highly enough." Suz Conchar

Training & Professional Development

I’m committed to ongoing professional development and ethical practice.

 

My training includes advanced work in:

  • BWRT® (Master Coach & Advanced Practitioner)

  • Clinical Hypnotherapy

  • Trauma, grief, pain, addiction, weight management, GAD (generalised anxiety disorder), Borderline Personalities

  • Working with children, couples and complex emotional presentations

  • Hypno-oncology and performance-focused approaches

  • Trained as an Active Listener for CSF (Cancer Support France)

( A full list of qualifications is available on request.)

Marysia's photo

How I Work

We are biologically hard-wired for survival, and change, even positive change can feel threatening to the brain.

 

Understanding how the brain responds to stress, trauma and pressure is central to creating lasting change. Rather than simply managing symptoms, I focus on:

  • Mental fitness and emotional resilience

  • Awareness of behaviour and its impact on others

  • Nervous system regulation under pressure

  • Practical tools that support real-world change

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This approach applies equally to individual therapy and coaching and to workplace wellbeing and leadership programmes.

The first step is always the hardest...

Why People Choose to Work With Me

People often tell me they value that I am:

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  • Calm, present and emotionally attuned

  • Highly experienced and professional

  • Clear and grounded when explaining complex emotional patterns

  • Focused on outcomes, not dependency

  • Supportive without judgement or unrealistic promises

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Much of my work comes through referral and recommendation, which I consider both a responsibility and a privilege.

Working Together

I work with:

  • Individuals seeking therapy or coaching

  • Children and families needing specialist emotional support

  • Leaders and organisations focused on wellbeing, resilience and performance

 

If you’re looking for thoughtful, evidence-informed support that respects both your humanity and your responsibilities, you’re very welcome to get in touch.​​​​

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