Method

When we think about asking for help from a professional in mental health, we might wonder about several issues, especially if it is the first time. For instance, we wonder about what kind of theoretical approach to choose, how often and how long will the sessions be, how is treatment organised. Let’s start from answering these questions.

Psychoanalytical approach

As a psychologist, I offer a space of listening, a safe place free from judgement, where you can bring all the things that matter to you. The goal of psychoanalytic psychotherapy is not only to give meaning to what the person is going through, but also to trigger a process of change.

This happens by means of various techniques:

• exploration of the self and of your internal world (conscious and unconscious), of the image you have of yourself and of others;
• search for connections between perceived discomfort, everyday life circumstances and life history;
• work on the recognition and expression of emotions and feelings;
• free exploration of fantasies, dreams, fears, desires;
• awareness-raising in terms of limitations and inner resources and of the role they play in facing crisis situations.
  

Consultation and treatment

The first 5/6 sessions represent a crucial part of the treatment and have a therapeutic value on their own, as they focus on the definition of the person’s request and pursues psychological diagnosis.
These interviews help the patient and the clinician to get to know each others: the patient tells his history of life and together they further explore issues and symptoms.  

Consultation ends with a feedback of what has emerged: the clinician proposes a hypothesis of the person’s mental functioning and also of the meaning of the identified problems and difficulties.

If useful, the professional formulates a proposal for psychotherapeutic treatment aimed at taking care of the person, according to individual needs and requests.

Process

Who can benefit from sessions?
I provide individual or couple psychological treatment, for both adults and adolescents.
I work in English, Italian and French.

How long is a session?
Individual sessions last 45-50 minutes, couple sessions last 50-60 minutes.

How often are sessions held?
The frequency is discussed and agreed together with the patient according to specific needs and therefore may vary. Basically, it is important to ensure a continuity by meeting at least once a week.

Is it possible to attend online sessions?
Yes, sessions can be held via Skype or similar channels to replace physical presence. Because building a relationship of trust is crucial to the treatment, it is important to discuss the means of communication together.

How long does psychological treatment last after consultation?
There is no single answer to this question: the duration of treatment depends on individual goals and pace of change. Anyway, this aspect gets very much shared and discussed between the professional and the patient.