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psychotherapist english lisbon, pcyhologist english lisbon, psychologist english carcavelos, psychologist english children carcavelos, body psychotherapy portugal, body psychotherapist lisbon, child psychologist lisbon english, therapy group lisbon
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
We all struggle with challenges and feel overwhelmed at times. In our day to day life we can face tough experiences, conflicts, complex relationships and difficult decisions, and it's not unusual to sometimes feel depressed, low on energy, anxious, confused, stressed or like something is just "off". Perhaps you feel you are losing control, lonely, or like you want more out of life, tired of the same old patterns and wanting to experience things in a new way. Perhaps your body is calling out the things you cannot express verbally, through illness, pain or chronic tensions. Whether it be for you, or for someone you care about, beginning a therapeutic process is can be an important and brave step towards improvement and change.
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I believe in the worth and resourcefulness of all people, and in individual therapy I provide the opportunity to examine your current concerns and explore barriers that may be holding you back in life. Because the therapist-client relationship is central to the therapeutic process, I offer a safe, confidential space, where you can express your feelings openly without fear of being criticised or judged.
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Duration: Weekly sessions (50min each). (Duration of therapeutic process varies according to the clients needs.)
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A SESSION?
Sessions last approximately 50 minutes. The first session is a chance to meet each other, and to explore your current concerns, your clinical history and, if you have any already, your objectives for therapy. Seeing as an empathic therapist-client relationship is central, it is only after this first session that we decide whether or not it makes sense to continue working together, without any obligation on your behalf to return after this session.
If you do decide to begin therapy, subsequent sessions will follow the normal verbal style, and, in line with the mind-body approach, body and expressive techniques will be gradually introduced, such as, drawing, movement, subtle touch techniques, cathartic body exercises and relaxation techniques. It is important to know that these interventions are introduced according to the specific needs and availability of each person. Such techniques are used to facilitate the therapeutic process by promoting self-awareness and emotional expression.
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The aim of therapy is to contribute to a person's overall well-being, growth and understanding of themselves and their current difficulties, facilitating their discovery of new and creative ways to express themselves and helping them to deal with challenging life situations. ​
Therapy is therefore indicated for anyone with psychological difficulties such as:
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depression (major or minor depressive disorder, suicidal ideation)
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anxiety (generalized anxiety, panic attacks)
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phobias/fears
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low self-esteem
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compulsions and obsessive disorders
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relational and affective difficulties
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loss and grief
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trauma (PTSD, Violence and abuse, acute accidents)
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addiction
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personality disorders
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cognitive problems to do with attention, concentration and memory
It is also indicated in the case of more organic or physical problems such as:
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hypertension
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asthma
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headaches, migraines, Tinnitus
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digestive issues (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcers)
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obesity
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chronic pain and muscular tensions
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sexual difficulties
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fertility problems
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chronic and cute illnesses (cancer, Auto-immune and Inflammatory disease)
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other somatic problems such as insomnia and allergies.
IS INDIVIDUAL THERAPY FOR ME?
You need not have an inherent problem to come to therapy though, as ultimately it is indicated for anyone wishing to enrich one’s life and one’s connection to others and the world. This is achieved through a deepening of one’s self-relationship, an integration of past experiences, transformation of old patterns and a transcendence of current state of awareness.
Individual therapy sessions follow a mind-body approach, where body and mind are worked interdependently. This approach is based on the understanding that everything we experience emotionally is experienced through our body, such that our appearance, chronic muscular tensions and somatic tendencies (illness and other symptoms) all express characteristics of our psychological character. For example, a depressed person might have low levels of physical energy and a collapsed posture, whilst someone who carries a lot of stress might have tensions or blocks in their back region. With this in mind, the language of the body can be used to facilitate the therapeutic process, generally by promoting the flexibilization of tense or “blocked” regions and by using bodily sensations as a guide to what past and present emotions need to be expressed and worked through.
WHAT IS MIND-BODY THERAPY?
From the moment a baby is born until their early teen years, they are constantly growing and developing on a cognitive, emotional and social level. It is during this phase that one learns to look at the world, to create, to love and to be loved, to express oneself and to conquer one's own space. This journey is made of advances and retreats, guided by doubts and insecurities, both on the part of the young one who is making their discoveries, and the parents who want to support and guide. It is natural for there to be bumps in the road, and most difficulties end up being overcome by the child successfully. However, there are situations in which specialised support may be necessary, and in these situations, therapy can provide a safe and adequate space for the child to develop the necessary skills to overcome the challenges they are facing. Some common issues include:
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Somatic disorders (Enuresis, Encopresis, Sleep disorders)
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Crisis intervention - divorce and other losses
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Behavioural and relational problems (aggression, acting out or at risk behaviours, isolation)
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Learning difficulties (Dyslexia, language problems, attention and concentration difficulties)
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Bullying
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Whilst young teens are already more capable of talking about their thoughts and feelings, in the case of young children therapy is most often done through play. Sessions are thus based around recreational and projective exercises such as storytelling, make-believe games, dancing, theater, painting and sculpting.
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Before starting therapy with any young person an initial session is carried out just with the parents, in order to discuss their concerns and learn about the child's clinical history. A Psychological Assessment is then carried out with the child, after which we decide together whether it is necessary for the child or teen to begin therapy, which may be short-term or long-term, depending on the specific objectives.
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WHAT IS THERAPY LIKE WITH CHILDREN?