CONSULTATION
SESSION
Therapy is preceded by a diagnostic consultation, which is used to identify and understand the individual's problems and expectations towards therapy. Usually is one session. The psychologist is an expert in recognizing and understanding where the disorder originates. It proposes methods and techniques leading to changes in people's thinking, feeling and functioning.
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Session lasts 50 minutes. The session is short-term and lasts from several to 20 sessions depending on the problem.
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How to prepare for an online session:
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1. Check your internet connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection before the session.
2. Find a quiet space: Choose a quiet and private location for the online session. Ensure you have privacy and comfort to freely engage in conversation.
3. Prepare your equipment: Make sure you have a functioning computer, tablet, or phone with a camera and microphone. Before the session, check that all devices are charged or plugged in.
4. Install necessary applications: If you're using a video conferencing platform like Skype, ensure you have the appropriate application installed on your device. Test it beforehand to ensure it works correctly.
5. Position the camera correctly: Ensure the camera is positioned at least from the waist up so the therapist can see you and conduct the conversation comfortably and effectively. Avoid placing the camera too close or too far away to provide the right frame and image quality.
6. Prepare mentally: Take a moment before the session to relax and focus. Ensure you're ready to engage with the therapist.
7. Prepare materials: If you have any notes, emotion journals, or other materials you'd like to discuss with the therapist, prepare them before the session. This will help facilitate an effective conversation.
8. Ensure privacy: Ensure you won't be disturbed during the session. Turn off your mobile phone's sound and notifications from other applications to avoid distractions.
9. Be punctual: Try to be ready for the session a few minutes before it starts to avoid delays. This will help ensure a smooth session.
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Thank you for preparing for the session. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me before the session.
MODELS OF THERAPY
Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) places focus on a individual's present and future circumstances and goals rather than past experiences. In this goal-oriented therapy, the symptoms or issues bringing a individual to therapy are typically not targeted. Instead, a qualified therapist encourages those in treatment to develop a vision of the future and offers support as they determine the skills, resources, and abilities needed to achieve that vision successfully.
SFBT, which aims to help people experiencing difficulty find tools they can use immediately to manage symptoms and cope with challenges, is grounded in the belief that although individuals may already have the skills to create change in their lives, they often need help identifying and developing those skills. Similarly, SFBT recognizes that people already know, on some level, what change is needed in their lives, and SFBT practitioners work to help the people in their care clarify their goals. Practitioners of SFBT encourage individuals to imagine the future they desire and then work to collaboratively develop a series of steps that will help them achieve those goals. In particular, therapists can help those in treatment identify a time in life when a current issue was either less detrimental or more manageable and evaluate what factors were different or what solutions may have been present in the past.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including anxiety disorders, depression, alcohol and drug use problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.
Research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy.