Psychotherapy & Coaching

What do psychologists do?

Practicing psychologists have the professional training to apply scientifically validated clinical skills to help people develop happier, healthier and more productive habits. This happens in an environment that is non-judgemental and supportive.

Psychotherapy

Will reduce distress and establish an increased experience of quality of life, well-being, connection and happiness.

Coaching

Will allow new opportunities to arise. It aims to develop a positive movement towards your preferred way of living.

Psychotherapy: what to expect?

 

Psychotherapy is a course of consultations with a qualified therapist. You and your psychologist will engage in a dialogue about your problems and how to fix them. 

Therapy can take place in a therapy room, online or in nature. This depends on your needs and preferences. Psychotherapy can be both short term or longterm. 

Psychotherapy is a process where the therapist uses psychological methods in the treatment of mental problems. Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who is objective and non-judgemental. During a session with your psychologist you can experience the use of methods such as talk-therapy, body exercises or the use of creative means like drawing, painting, music and other creative outlets to get you where you want to be.  Overall, you and your psychologist will work together to identify and change the thoughts and behaviour patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best. 

It is normal to feel uneasy before starting therapy. You may feel nervous about contacting the therapist. Psychologists understand how difficult it can be to make initial contact and will help you through the conversation so you feel more relaxed and aware of why you are seeking help. Overcoming the initial nervousness is worth it because anytime your quality of of life isn’t what you want it to be, psychotherapy with the right therapist can help.

Many years of counselling experience has made it possible for me to offer psychotherapy in a safe and conducive space for most adult or young adult individual issues and conditions where professional psychological help is called for. This could be anxiety, depression or trauma.  It could be existential crisis or dealing serious illness.

The foundational principles

 

The problem is the problem.  You are not  your problem

 

When we begin the therapeutic process you might feel that your problem is an integral part of your character or even that you are the problem. You might for instance think: ‘I am depressed’ or ‘I am a depressed person.’ The aim of our sessions is to enter into a more reflective and critical position vis-a-vis the problem. This will enable you to recognise that you are not your problem, the problem is the problem. Separating the problem from you relieves the pressure of blame, and you can start to consider the effect of the problem and bring forward resources. In this space choice and agency can grow. You can start seeing things in a new perspective and a pathway towards your preferred life can begin to take form. 

 

Safety

 

A very important principle we follow is to establish a deep sense of safety in the relation between therapist and client. Safety, trust and the ultimate focus on you is a very important base on which therapeutic results will happen. We will design a long-term or short-term therapeutic relation depending on your needs and wishes. The relationship between therapist and client always precedes the method and it is important for a therapist to know intimately many different methods to be able to accommodate and support with care and determination. 

 

The method

Through dialogue, techniques of inquiry, creative outlets and assignments we will explore your specific needs and find solutions. We will work with both mind and body since both are crucial in cultivating the changes you long to see. There are many ways to include body experiences in a therapeutic process, Some ways could be meditation techniques or exercises that increase body awareness in relation to your thoughts and feelings. Creative outlets could be to include painting, drawing, music or other means to reach your desired results.  Together we will decide and explore what works for you.

Gradually, you will move into a experience of greater psychological flexibility where negative or destructive thoughts, emotions and actions have less impact. You will experience your perspective expanding and you will find space of choice and comfort in your own resources.

You will become more skilled at contemplation, awareness and empathetic relating to yourself and your surroundings. This will eventually loosen the problematic knots and difficult life situation.

Coaching: What to expect?

 
The coaching process will gradually open up possibilities for thoughts and action that previously were not accessible. There will be space and perspective to carry out the development you wish for yourself. Fresh ideas and behaviors will overwrite old mental models and behavioural patterns that no longer serve you. As in psychotherapy coaching has an aim to create development and well-being. Contrary to psychotherapy coaching has its fundation in sports performance. That makes the dialogue more focused on a concrete challenge you are facing. Coaching will help you become more clear about the situation and enable you to decide and deal with the challenge in a way that is more in accordance with your preferred way of living.  

When to use coaching?

 
Coaching often has a work related, professional or personal goal without necessarily having to go very deep or longterm, although it has the potential of doing so. In some cases a coaching process would be used as a preventive measure. Especially, in situations where your life is heading towards burnout or stress. Coaching is very helpful in situations where there is a risk of developing work-related stress, empathetic stress or compassion fatigue. People in high risk professions such as nurses, physicians, psychologists, social workers, therapists and yoga instructors can benefit tremendously from preventative coaching sessions. 
In most cases a coaching session would consist of developing healthy visions that motivates and energises and can be a guiding star for progress. We work together and you learn tools and skills that empower you to move closer to your vision. In this process a space will develop that enables greater clarity and awareness for wise and preferred choices. Examples of goals for coaching could be to build resilience in handling working with certain clients or foster a better work life balance for yourself.