New book: “Preoccupied with the Self. On the Traps of Self‑Development and Therapeutic Culture” — Kama Wojtkiewicz
About the event
16 March 2026, 7:00 PM
Participants in the meeting:
- Kama Wojtkiewicz (author)
- Tomasz Stawiszyński
- Cveta Dimitrova
The meeting will be chaired by: dr Katarzyna Kasia
Place: Foyer of the New Theatre / Nowa Księgarnia
Free admission
New book: “Preoccupied with the Self. On the Traps of Self‑Development and Therapeutic Culture” — Kama Wojtkiewicz (Agora Publishing)
In a world focused on the “I”, it seems that everything can, or even must, be analyzed and then worked through. Often, however — despite the effort invested — instead of developing, we lose the meaning of life, lose relationships and the sense of community. Our deficits and diagnoses become the axis of our identity, and authenticity and self-acceptance give way to an endless process. Kama Wojtkiewicz encourages asking who we are, rather than what else we should fix in ourselves.
The author talks with outstanding figures from psychotherapy, philosophy and sociology, scrutinizing the limits and meaning of therapy, the traps of spirituality, the flattening of mindfulness, the breakdown of bonds and fears that do not always need to be pathologized. Among the book’s interlocutors are, among others:
- Tomasz Stawiszyński
- Cveta Dimitrova
- Joanna Flis
- Igor Rotberg
- dr Asia Kubiakowska
- dr Julia E. Wahl
- dr Joanna Wojsiat
- Przemek Mućko
- prof. Tomasz Sobierajski
- dr Katarzyna Kasia
“Preoccupied with the Self” is a book for those who want tools to think about themselves and others beyond ready-made recipes. Instead of the pressure of self‑improvement and simple answers, the author provokes asking questions and critical reflection.
Excerpts from reviews:
- “In times of ethical chaos pop culture suggests we are the center of the world... the attentive reader will find many inspiring hints here.” — prof. Bogdan de Barbaro
- “Kama Wojtkiewicz reveals with exceptional insight the traps of therapeutic culture and the myths of self‑development.” — Tomasz Stawiszyński
- “Preoccupied with the Self is a great and penetrating account of the traps of self‑development...” — Anna Dziewit‑Meller
About the author:
Kama Wojtkiewicz — a psychologist and the host of the podcast “Sznurowadła myśli”. Her texts have been published, among others, in Newsweek Psychologia, Vogue, KUKBUK, Wysokie Obcasy and on glamour.pl. She studied law at King’s College London and clinical and health psychology at SWPS University. She gained clinical experience at the Clinic of Psychiatry, Combat Stress and Psychotraumatology at the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw. She runs psychoeducational workshops and consultations; she also provides psychoeducation on social media (@sznurowadla.mysli).
About the chair:
dr Katarzyna Kasia — a philosopher and publicist, cooperating with the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, author of essays and books, translator of Italian philosophers, co‑creator of programs and podcasts, including Kwiatki polskie (TVP Info) and Filozofia jest dla dziewczyn. Warsaw resident of the year 2023; in 2024 awarded the Mariusz Walter Prize.
About the interlocutors:
- Cveta Dimitrova — a psychodynamic psychotherapist, graduate of philosophy at the University of Warsaw, founder of the center “Znaczenia. Psychoterapia”.
- Tomasz Stawiszyński — an essayist and philosopher, author of books, creator of the podcast “Skądinąd”, associated with Radio TOK FM.
Illustration for the series: Jarosław Danilenko
Media patronage: wellbee.pl
Free
