Dr Maja Jankowska
Chartered Psychologist (PhD, CPsychol) with British Psychological Association
Registered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Accredited CBT Therapist, EMDR and Brainspotting Practitioner
BAPAM endorsed Clinician for Performing Artists
For 23 years, my work as a psychologist has been a profound journey into the human psyche. My specialism in anxiety and trauma has taught me about resilience and recovery, but a parallel passion has always lived alongside it: a deep fascination with creative expansion and the psychology of high achievement.
This professional path converged with a personal one: motherhood. I became a mother to a performer and my world expanded into wings, green rooms, and audition halls. I have had a front-row seat to the unique pressures and joys of your industry. I don't just study this; I live it.
And I see how evidence-based psychology tools can be immensely helpful in the performing world.
As an HCPC registered Clinical & Counselling Psychologist (PhD in Psychology), I help performers implement psychology-backed mental skills to achieve consistency, command the stage, and thrive under pressure.
My clinical expertise in trauma allows us to address the deep roots of anxiety, from past criticism or rejection to perfectionism, freeing you to perform without self-sabotage or burnout.
Curious what it’s like to work with me?
Here’s what past clients had to say:
As Seen on TV
Wellbeing Media TV, Interview with Dr Maja Jankowska Improving Mental Health in the Performing Arts
"Really insightful show on the unique pressures facing performing arts professionals - going far beyond resilience to rejection. Dr Maja Jankowska is a clinician who specifically supports arts professionals and is part of the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine. "
You can view the full interview here: https://youtu.be/hVit9RnkiRo
Testimonials From Clients
Bea Says:
“I’m so grateful that I met Maja during one of the most difficult times in my life.
Through EMDR and Brainspotting, I’ve experienced a huge positive shift in just a few sessions. Maja has created a safe, creative space that allowed me to process significant traumatic experiences from my past, while also helping me build trust in myself throughout the sessions.
What truly stood out was the focus on post-traumatic growth, which has made a profound difference in my healing. I no longer feel defined by the trauma I’ve experienced, and I’m incredibly thankful for the work we’ve done together. I would highly recommend Maja to anyone seeking healing and growth.”
Zora Says:
“I found Maja through my colleague – an actress who told me she was able to work through both some trauma issues (especially from auditions and issues around working with agents, which I felt I needed to address too); she also found Maja’s approach useful to building her characters and strengthening her performance. So I took a plunge and I wasn’t disappointed.
Maja is a wonderful and a very knowledgeable psychologist who really knows how to work with creative (often highly sensitive) people. I feel she also understands the pressures and difficulties we are faced within the performance industry.
She uses brain-body approaches, and her way of working is aligned with polyvagal theory, EMDR and Brainspotting, somatic experiencing as well as IFS. She helped me recognise the connection between stress and tension and the effect on the nervous system, and the consequences of imbalance and dysregulation on my performance as a singer and performer. She helped me work through my blocks and really focus on building new pathways in my brain.
She knows so much about trauma and how to move beyond it! Her approach is so much focused on growth, building resources and re-igniting motivation, creativity and sheer joy. I feel like I not only came back to myself, but I have become a better version of myself. I now use the space to build my performance by using expansion Brainspotting and it is so exciting! I can’t thank Maja enough.”
Sarah Says:
"Maja is a credit to her profession, and I am exceptionally grateful to have worked with her."
Dan Johnston - writer/performer with over 25 years experience in the industry
says
"Maja's masterclass was game-changing. As a self-critical person who struggles with performance anxiety, fear was beginning to control my life, and I lost a great deal of confidence. Maja provided me with a range of tools and techniques to help me cope with my stage fright and my confidence has returned. If I had met Maja at the beginning of my career, she would have made me a better performer and saved me years of unnecessary worry and stress. As she would put it, she has stopped me 'getting in my own way'. Quite simply, Maja has allowed me to enjoy my career again.'"
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My Professional Registrations and Qualifications
I am a highly specialised Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, registered with the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC), as well as a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of British Psychological Society. I am also BABCP fully accredited CBT therapist and clinical supervisor.
I hold a PhD in Psychology, PGDip in CBT and attended many other trainings. I have many years of not only clinical but also educational and research experience. I have taught at the universities on psychology, CBT and clinical psychology doctoral courses, providing clinical as well as research supervision.
To work as a Clinical or Counselling Psychologist in the UK, there is a legal requirement to be registered with
the Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC). My registration number is PYL040928.
the British Psychological Society (BPS). My recognition reference 325886).
the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). My membership number 170533.