Personal therapy sessions

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by:

- a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, and mood (including intense episodes of anger)
- hyper-sensitivity to potential rejection or abandonment
- mood swings
- rapid and unrealistic changes in life goals and self-esteem
- impulsive actions and self-destructive behavior
- paranoia linked to severe stress
- sabotaging of success
- feelings of emptiness and lack of interest in life
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- dichotomous (black-and-white) thinking

As a clinical psychologist, my therapeutic approach is to work with you to identify the root cause of your symptoms. Primarily employing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) practices, I will support you to replace ‘your black hole of emptiness and despair’ with a secure awareness of your own self-worth, your own strengths and your own unique and personal values that help you to flourish.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is characterized by a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. To obtain this admiration, a narcissist employs a false persona, (which is like a mask that appeals to others), to win their love. Narcissists use deception, hypocrisy, pretense, and mirroring. They are unable to form healthy relationships so they target vulnerable individuals. People with Narcissistic Personality Disorder often describe themselves as having an inner emptiness with a concomitant lack of self-identity. They constantly need to fill this emptiness with something or someone else

If you suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder then you may have initiated a series of destructive relationships already. Relationships that are based on manipulation and emotional abuse, rather than any authentic affection or positive regard. Therapy can help you to be more functional in society and more successful in your personal life: coming to rely on your internal resources rather than endlessly seeking them from others.

If you have been harmed by a narcissistic partner, and wish to have a more fulfilling life, then I invite you to my therapeutic sessions. Together, we will clarify your specific reasons for staying in such relationships and develop your resilience against narcissistic abuse.

As a clinical psychologist, (and someone who has personal firsthand experience with this disorder), I can work with you so you have a thorough understanding of NCP in all of its manifestations: thus, enabling you to make better life choices and lead a more fulfilling life with authentic and equitable relationships.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition where a person suffers from uncontrollable and anxiety-provoking thoughts. The anxiety caused by this increasingly obsessive thinking can only be relieved by performing compulsions - illogical, repetitive actions that bring a momentary comfort or sense of calm to the individual. You may have seen the film "The Aviator" which can give you some understanding of the potentially destructive nature of this disorder.

The etiology of OCD is a combination of biological, social, and psychological factors. All, and every, stressful situation can trigger an upward spiral of compulsions. A person with OCD is often knowledgeable, and kind, suppresses their anger, pays great attention to detail, and has a wonderfully well-developed imagination.

If you believe that you may have OCD (or already have a diagnosis) then I invite you to work with me. Together, we will identify the root cause of your obsessions and compulsions and learn how to manage them. We can work towards their elimination using deep psychology and specialized therapeutic techniques.

Eating Disorders (ED) are a group of pathological conditions where an individual either overeats, severely restricts their food intake, or experiences emotional discomfort due to their eating habits. For example, compulsive eating during anxious states. An eating disorder acts like an internal abuser with whom you've lived for a long time. Overeating helps to drown out aggression, rage, and pain, while food restriction becomes the only way to feel in control of one's life, body, and self—providing a semblance of control over something.
What does the voice of the eating disorder tell us, and how do we separate it from the healthy, rational part of ourselves? It's a survival mechanism, a way to cope with certain feelings, desires, and situations—a means of adaptation. In therapy, we will navigate through the stages of bidding farewell to this issue. We will focus on genuine support and stability, creating a favorable and resourceful state for this transition.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by anxiety that lacks a clear focus and is highly chaotic, directing itself towards whatever you are currently focusing on. For example, someone knocks on the door—anxiety, you are about to go on vacation—anxiety, your child goes to school—anxiety. This anxiety appears over anything and everything, occupying your body 80% of the time, even at night, disrupting your sleep. Sleep becomes fragmented and shallow.
Anxiety manifests physically—headaches, migraines, sweating, tremors. In an attempt to control everything, a person avoids new experiences and sticks to familiar routines—watching the same shows, visiting the same cafes, vacationing in the same places. Joy is also kept at bay. Anxiety creates the illusion that the person is always on alert and cannot be caught off guard. They are always ready to withstand a blow, never to be saddened or disappointed. Anxiety seemingly provides safety for them and their loved ones, helping to control the future.
The causes of GAD may include:

• Genetics (anxious parents)
• Characteristics of prenatal development
• Negative parental messages about the danger and aggressiveness of the world

In therapy, we will learn to effectively manage anxiety symptoms using specific techniques. To address the root cause of the anxiety, we will work within the modality of transactional analysis.

A panic attack is defined as a sudden onset of severe anxiety which is often accompanied by distressing physical sensations. These sensations can include
dizziness, tremors, tingling, fainting, tachycardia, pain, a feeling of shortness of breath, changes in skin color (paleness or redness), gastrointestinal symptoms, sweating, and more. Psychological symptoms can include fear of losing one’s mind, fear of losing one’s control, fear of behaving inappropriately, fear of death, derealization (feeling that things are not real), and depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself). The fear of having a panic attack in public can amplify these symptoms, which can vary in duration and frequency.

Essentially, a panic attack can be seen as an outburst, a discharge, or a release from a psychologically uncomfortable situation. This uncomfortable situation becomes a trigger which activates a chain of spiralling events.
Some people may have accidentally experienced and / or created a panic attack whilst drinking too much coffee or from smoking too many cigarettes.
Panic attacks can occur as a standalone disorder or as a symptom of various other conditions, for example, they can be connected with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, depressive disorders and Bipolar Affective Disorder. Panic attacks are also common in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder.

I am familiar with panic attacks: both from personal experience and from working with my clients. In our therapeutic sessions, we will find the specific cause of your disruptive state and develop strategies that will help you to manage it effectively.

Phobias are intense, persistent fears that cannot be fully or logically explained. As a phobia develops a person often begins to become anxious around specific objects, activities or situations and will purposefully avoid them.
There are countless types of phobias with the most common ones being fear of heights (including aerophobia), fear of deep water and fear of snakes and spiders.
The most effective method to combat these debilitating fears is Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
If you are tired of a phobia that limits your life and you want to take back control, come to therapy. Together, we will safely and successfully work towards healing and overcoming these fears.

Addictions can be categorized into the following types:
●chemical (alcohol, drugs, nicotine)
●intermediate (food)
●non-chemical (sex addiction, shopping addiction, sports addiction, gambling, video games, gadgets)
●behavioral (compulsive gambling)
Addiction is a state where a person is willing to spend a significant amount of time and effort to obtain a substance or engage in an activity.
However, the addiction lies within the individualwho may be seeking to fill an internal void or escape from their reality. People with a predisposition to addiction find it difficult to experience pleasure and have increased excitability and anxiety levels.
Addiction depends on biosocial factors such as heredity, brain function characteristics, dysfunctional upbringing and the environment. In therapeutic sessions, we work to eradicate the root cause of these toxic and destructive behaviours and form new neural connections that will help you to overcome your addictions.

Depression

The eminent psychoanalyst Carl Gustav Jung stated that ‘depression is like a lady in black. If she comes, do not shoo her away, but invite her to the table as a guest and listen to what she intends to say’.
Depression typically affects intellectual, thoughtful individuals who are accustomed to suppressing their own emotions (especially negative ones) and negating their own desires and wellbeing. They systematically do not choose themselves and will consistently sacrifice their own needs to satisfy the needs of others. This ongoing denial of the ‘self’ results in a state of depression with ‘your body saying that it doesn’t want to play this character anymore’.

Depression often carries with it suicidal thoughts which makes it crucial to provide timely help to someone in this state or anyone moving towards it. As a qualified and experienced psychologist, I can recognize the early signs of depression and am able to offer appropriate therapeutic interventions. Therapy is also well-suited as part of a holistic treatment plan, for more severe cases, where individuals may be receiving medication from the medical profession.

When working with people with any form of depression, I help clients to identify the root source of their own ‘lady in black’ and support them through their journey.

Autism is not fully understood and scientists cannot definitively explain why it occurs.

What is ASD?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental characteristics. A person with ASD can find it challenging to interact with others and adhere to social norms. Their mind struggles to process the flood of sensory signals in any given situation. For example, a person on the ASD spectrum may not hear someone speaking to them if the television is on in the background.

Autism manifests through various symptoms that can range in severity, which is why different types of autism are grouped under the term "spectrum disorder." For instance, one person with autistic traits might have limited speech and be intolerant of loud noises. Another might be able to perform on stage and engage in creative activities but struggle with the daily panic of leaving the house. A third can find social interactions difficult but does understand social expectations and has adapted.

When a person has no intellectual or speech impairments he or she is referred to as being high-functioning. Individuals with autistic traits can have exceptional abilities, such as mentally multiplying large numbers (like the character Raymond from ‘Rain Man’) or drawing detailed city maps from memory (like British architectural artist Stephen Wiltshire). This is known as ‘savant syndrome’, which is a very rare condition associated with autism.

Autism is often misrepresented as two extremes: either a person is completely incapable or extraordinarily gifted. However, a person with autism can, and usually is, quite ordinary. Autism is a developmental trait a person is born with and lives with throughout their lives. It is not a disease and it cannot be contracted or cured.
However, working with a specialist can significantly improve social interaction skills and the overall quality of life. To achieve this, I use:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
●visual schedules
●action scripts
●social skills interventions
●social stories

• ●relationship-based approaches

Psychosomatics

Psychosomatic diseases are medical conditions with physical symptoms that can be caused by psychological factors. Psychosomatics refers not only to the group of diseases but also to the branch of medical science that studies the connection between physical health and a person's emotional state.

What causes psychosomatic diseases?
1.Stress and Negative Emotions: Psychosomatic illnesses are often associated with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional states.
2.Psychosocial Factors: Difficulties in relationships within the family, at work, and in society as well, as well as financial and social problems can all significantly impact health.
3.Unhealthy Lifestyle: An unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, insufficient sleep, and other unhealthy habits can lead to somatic disorders.
4.Genetic Predisposition: Some individuals have a genetic factor that makes them more vulnerable to psychosomatic illnesses.
Which ailments are considered psychosomatic diseases?
Specialists identify several types of disorders, related to psychosomatics, in the following systems:
1. Respiratory: Such as asthma or hyperventilation syndrome.
2. Cardiovascular: Ischemia, arterial hypertension, angina and/or arrhythmia.
3. Gastrointestinal: Colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcer and biliary dyskinesia.
4. Skin: Vitiligo, eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.
Psychosomatic symptoms also include hyperthyroidism, seizures, headaches and arthritis. In children and adolescents psychosomatics manifest as enuresis, nervous tics, unexplained gastrointestinal pain, sleep problems, hyperactivity and nail-biting.

Methods we use to address this issue:

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Focuses on changing behavioural and cognitive patterns that may exacerbate physical symptoms. Regular sessions help patients recognise and work through negative and destructive thoughts that affect their physical condition.
2. Positive Psychotherapy: During sessions, patients replace habitual negative attitudes with more positive ones and learn appropriate reactions to stressors.
Other interventions that may be used include art therapy, breathing exercises and body-oriented therapy. The choice of method and duration of treatment are determined individually for each patient.

Emotional burnout is characterized by a state in which your world becomes black and white; sometimes even grey. You don’t want anything nor do you not want anything. You feel constant physical and moral fatigue, but rest does not help. You’re always postponing important things. Your diminished resources are fast running out. You have become cynical, people have become irritating and you know you are overreacting to minor issues that normally would have been ‘water off a duck's back’.
In your work, you consistently give more than you get. You are dissatisfied and unhappy with your personal life. Depression feels very close.
The first therapeutic step is admitting that you are ‘burned out’. Listen to what your body is telling you and take action to change your life. Working together, we will restore your energy and the passion you once felt for your life.

The death of a loved one can be one of the most challenging and impactful events in anyone's life. It brings an overwhelming wave of emotions that can feel all-consuming. The pain of loss can manifest itself in various ways—through intense sadness, anger, confusion, or even relief. These emotions can be confusing and sometimes conflicting which can make the grieving process even more challenging.
Unfortunately, the topic of death remains quietly taboo in our society. In therapy, we create a safe and supportive space where you can navigate through all the stages of grief. We acknowledge that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. Some may experience the well-known stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) linearly, whilst others might find their journey to be more convoluted and complex. We work through each stage thoughtfully: allowing you to express your feelings openly and without judgment.
Therapy helps you to find ways to integrate the memory of your loved one into your life in a healthy manner. This might include creating rituals or finding other meaningful ways to honor their memory, which can provide a sense of continuity and connection despite their physical absence.
Grief can also prompt a profound existential reflection. It can lead you to question the meaning and purpose of your life and, through this questioning, many people find new sources of strength and understanding. In our sessions, we explore these deeper reflections which can help you to find a renewed sense of motivation and direction. This can be a transformative process: where the intense pain of loss gradually gives way to a deeper appreciation of life and the relationships that continue to be part of it.
As someone who has personally experienced loss, I can say with 100% certainty that therapy during this time is essential. Therapy provides the tools and support needed to process the trauma and to lay the foundations for a brighter future.

Immigration and relocation can be incredible and transformative experiences. However, the process of making such significant changes can often be characterized as a time of high-stress levels and overwhelming anxiety. Immigration and emigration both impact a person’s entire social structure - it alter their status, their social roles, and all of their connections and relationships. A person can feel like they are being uprooted from their source of light and energy: akin to plants being torn from their roots. This emotional rollercoaster is more keenly felt when people are forced to move or relocate rapidly. From my perspective, combining relocation with therapy allows you to successfully navigate this very challenging and significant period in your life whilst ensuring you do not succumb to despair. It was the great psychoanalyst Viktor Frankl who noted that ‘moving, love, war and psychotherapy help us to escape negative scenarios. I understand this firsthand and I would like to support you, as you embark on your exciting journey of self-discovery in your new reality.

Traumatic Experience
A traumatic experience involves feelings of intense fear, horror, or a sense of helplessness due to events that threaten the physical and mental integrity of a child or adult, as well as their loved ones. If a traumatic experience is not addressed, it can easily manifest itself later in life as negative and destructive patterns. Patterns can then, in turn, lead to traumatic events and so prevent personal happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of overall well-being.
In therapy, we work together to identify the source of the pain, acknowledge the traumatic reactions that have developed, and embed new patterns of thinking and behavior. When working to heal traumatic experiences, I utilize a variety of proven practices, for example, Body-Oriented Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

What is your passion? How do you know what it is? How do you find it? How do you commit to this one thing? How do you become independent, doing the work you love? What if you lack the strength and energy to start taking action? Or to sustain it? In therapy, we will remove the blocks that prevent you from taking the first crucial steps; bringing you closer to achieving your own life goals. Working together, you will develop a clear and precise understanding of what resonates emotionally with you and find where your own inexhaustible source of creative energy lies.

Impostor syndrome occurs when an individual obtains an education and becomes a professional, yet constantly feels unqualified to begin working. Alternatively, they might start working but persistently feel underprepared. This leads to consequences such as fear of charging for their services or accepting good pay. They continuously seek validation through collecting degrees and certificates, all while feeling insufficiently competent.
Often, this results in a lack of confidence during professional activities, stagnant earnings, and no career advancement or transition to a higher-level position. In therapy, we address the underlying causes of this syndrome and the secondary benefits it might provide, such as the avoidance of responsibility. By understanding these dynamics, we work towards overcoming impostor syndrome and achieving professional confidence and growth.

As the sex industry has its exceptional realities then the therapeutic process must be unique and specific to your individual needs and circumstances. How to cope with trauma, emotional burnout, or starting a new life are only some of the many challenges facing individuals who have become entangled in the sex industry. In our therapeutic sessions, we address all of your emotions and personal realities in an honest, open, and positive manner: ensuring that you feel safe and comfortable at all times.

Systemic Family Therapy
A family is a single organism where each member can influence others in both positive and negative ways. It is akin to a clockwork mechanism where all parts are interdependent. Systemic family therapy helps to identify and understand the potentially destructive and traumatic aspects of interactions within the family system. What issues do clients often bring to therapy?
●infidelity
●resentments
●psychological immaturity of one spouse
●abuse
●desire for divorce
●misunderstandings between partners or crises at certain stages of the relationship
●jealousy
●alcohol (or other substance) abuse
●gambling (or other addictions)
●disagreements about child-rearing
●codependent relationships and / or sexual problems
●gender role issues (who takes on which role in earning, household, and other matters)
●complex relationships between adult children and their parents
●pregnancy or the inability to conceive
●birth of a child – the arrival of a new family member can change the dynamics between spouses
●children moving on with their lives – the ‘empty nest’, where parents may need to find new meanings in their lives and make new compromises in their relationship
With the help of a specialist, family members can explore and express difficult thoughts and emotions safely. By scheduling an appointment now, you can start to rebuild and rebalance your own family; making a positive contribution to your future wellbeing.

Motherhood and Pregnancy Planning

Motherhood and pregnancy planning can often be viewed as a time of joy for many women and their families. However, it can also bring with it feelings of melancholy, hopelessness, despair,  low self-esteem and postpartum depression.

In therapy, I provide psychological support from the planning stage of pregnancy through to motherhood. I offer guidance on how to manage unexpected difficulties and the potential of emotional burnout. My primary goal is to support your overall wellbeing, your sense of life satisfaction and your self-confidence.

How can you ensure that this wonderful time brings joy and pleasant concerns, rather than feelings of melancholy, hopelessness, despair, and low self-esteem? How can you avoid postpartum depression?
In therapy, I provide psychological support for women from the planning stage of pregnancy through to motherhood. I also offer consultations to prevent crisis states and emotional burnout. The primary goal is to maintain a sense of support, satisfaction, well-being, and self-confidence, which are essential during this critical period for both the mother and her child.

Children and Adolescents

Child psychology concerns itself with all aspects of your child’s development from their physical health to their social and emotional wellbeing. I believe that each child is unique and is more than capable, when surrounded by supportive and caring adults, of overcoming difficult periods in their life. I speak to you not only as a psychologist but also as a mother of two wonderful sons.
Here are some of the issues that clients often bring to therapy:
●behavioral problems
●issues with concentration and the impact this has on both academic and physical performance
●a reluctance to study
●increased fatigue
●poor social relationships with peers
●bullying – both as the victim and the perpetrator
●Autism Spectrum Disorder
●Attention Deficit Disorder
●thieving and other rule-breaking behaviors
●a lack of respect for authority
●co-sleeping with parents – when a child cannot sleep alone in their room
●unresolved conflicts parents may themselves have – perhaps your own childhood was not as nurturing as it might have been? Maybe you would like a little s
●upport on being a better parent?
I support these (and other issues) to help children and their families achieve greater understanding and harmony.

Bullying is the repetitive and intentional hurting of one person (or group) or another person (or group). Bullying can take many forms and is characterized by an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological. It can be face-to-face or online. Unfortunately, while schools and teachers do their utmost to tackle bullying, they may not have sufficient time, resources, or knowledge to deal with it effectively.
Parents, who can often have schedules that feel impossible and overloaded, may not notice signs that their child is a victim of bullying or is indeed the bully her/himself. Bullying is a serious issue that cannot be ignored and action must be taken. Both the child and the family may need the support of a psychologist during this period. With professional guidance, the process of overcoming this negative situation becomes much easier and without post-traumatic consequences for the young and vulnerable psyche.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in children, is not to be confused with a diagnosis of autism or being autistic. We can talk about Autism Spectrum Disorder in terms of being mild, moderate or severe. It is a broader and less specific assessment compared to autism. With ASD, the child may speak coherently, may have secure fine and gross motor skills, may have good socialization skills, and may interact appropriately with their environment.
Some characteristics typical of autism may be absent or not strongly expressed. ASD is not a disease; it is not contagious and it cannot be cured. However, with the help of a specialist, the child's social interaction skills can be significantly improved and their overall quality of life can be enhanced. To support children with ASD, I draw upon the following:

●Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
●visual schedules
●action scripts
●social skills interventions
●social stories
●relationship-based approaches; which scaffold and support improved communication with others.
●play-based learning to recognize emotions and release negative feelings
These methods help children with ASD develop better social skills and lead a more fulfilling life.

Codependent relationships are those in which two people are mutually dependent in a relationship that prevents either of them from thriving. These relationships can include, for example, parent-child, family, partner, or romantic relationships. The greatest challenge for a codependent person is to recognize and accept their situation. They cannot see the ‘woods for the trees’.
Together, we will identify the source of your codependency and, step by step, go through all of the stages to break free from it so you can achieve your long-awaited freedom. You will:
●remove blocks and establish boundaries
●free yourself from the responsibility for other people's emotions

• ●liberate yourself from the obligation to solve other people's problems

Relationships Between Partners: Man and Woman
In any relationship, conflicts are inevitable. Common issues include:
●infidelity
●resentments
●psychological immaturity of one spouse or partner
●abuse
●desire for divorce
●misunderstandings between partners and/or crises at certain stages of the relationship
●jealousy      
●alcohol (or other substance) abuse
●gambling (and other addictions)
●disagreements about child-rearing
●codependent relationships
●sexual problems
●gender role issues (who takes on which role in earning, household, and other matters)
●complex relationships between adult children and their parents
●pregnancy (or inability to conceive)
●birth of a child – the arrival of a new family member changes the dynamics between spouses or partners
●children moving out – parents are left alone again, seeking new meanings and compromises in their relationship
However, the success of overcoming these issues depends upon the approach taken to resolve them. Essentially, any issue or crisis is an opportunity for further development and transformation.  In therapy, we will work together to help you to gain a better understanding of yourself and your relationships.

In the context of interpersonal relationships, abuse refers to any behavior aimed at humiliating, dominating, or controlling another person. Physical abuse is often easier to recognize. However, psychological abuse is much more insidious because the scars it leaves on a person's psyche are invisible; victims live with constant levels of high stress and overwhelming fear. They exist rather than live.

Do you recognize symptoms of an abusive personality in yourself?

If you recognize symptoms of an abusive personality in yourself and realize that it is destroying both your partner's life and your own, then seek professional help from a therapist immediately. Awareness is already 50 percent of the healing.

If you have been affected by an abuser's actions or observe signs of psychological violence against you and find it difficult to address this without the help of a specialist, I invite you to therapy. In therapy, we will systematically, effectively, and safely identify and eliminate the reasons why you entered such a relationship. We will completely restructure your habitual patterns; changing your state so that healthy, constructive relationships can emerge.

If you have been afflicted by either physical or psychological abuse and would like help, then make an appointment.

Unfortunately, members of the LGBTQIA+ community often face prejudice, discrimination, bullying, physical violence, and rejection by loved ones. Such treatment by others is driven by stigma and a lack of information about sexual orientation and gender. Bisexuality and homosexuality, just like heterosexuality, are variations of the norm.
Not all psychology professionals are progressive. That’s why a good LGBTQIA+ friendly psychologist understands this and helps clients with issues related to coming out, self-acceptance, coping with discrimination, finding relationships, and parenting.
I am exactly such a specialist.