YOUR JOURNEY TO FREEDOM
I am a psychologist and a cognitive-behavioral therapist, with a French and an American educational background. I have meaningful research and clinical experience in child psychology, adult psychology, and health psychology
All treatment plans begin with an initial session: the encounter.
This is where we first meet, where first impressions are made: where our bond is created. We estimate that around 50% of therapeutic results are attributed to the therapeutic alliance – that is, the trusted relationship you develop with your therapist. A benevolent, judgment-free ear and neutral insight often does wonders to our social bodies and souls.
I will actively listen to you explain what it is that you are looking for, what it is that brought you to me, and if none of this is clear, I will simply listen to a person I encounter, for the first time.
I will then give you initial feedback; resume my understanding of the issue you are presenting, and provide instant technical feedback as to which type of approach would fit best, and what exactly it would consist of.
We then agree to meet on a regular basis, just another time, or we keep it open. Sometimes, just a few exchanges suffice to unlock a vicious circle and get you going! Other, more traditional approaches, include a weekly bi-weekly, or monthly meeting, according to your demand and needs.
It's the most beautiful job ever. I love what I do. For me, it's a way to free people - and I love Freedom
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a solution-oriented and goal-oriented approach. It targets psychological disorders by analyzing and modifying problematic thoughts (cognition), behaviors and emotions.
CBT is the most recommended treatment approach for mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder …), anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias …), addictive behavior (substance/alcohol use or abuse, behavioral addictions (pathological gambling, video games, compulsive buying, sexual dependencies…)), sleeping disorders, eating disorders and so on and so forth.
Treatment begins with case conceptualization, where we discuss the struggles you are going through and how they tend to repeat themselves over time. The use of valid and reliable questionnaires is likely at this point.
CBT is evidence-based and relies on scientific evidence to understand and treat psychological disorders. Initial treatment thus begins with psycho-education where I will explain scientific findings linked to your condition in particular, and expose the recommended treatment plan. At this point, a strong emphasis will be given to your personal objectives and demands. They will determine treatment priorities and define future steps to be taken afterward.
During the treatment phase, we will implement thoughts/behavioral/emotional exercises in and in-between sessions to target specific dysfunctions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a standardized treatment approach that is customizable on a case-by-case basis: communication is key to tailor this approach accordingly.
The treatment plan usually ends with a reevaluation of your psychological state and objectives. When all objectives are usually achieved, we focus on preventing relapses and concluding therapy. It is important to note that my door is never truly closed: punctual or regular sessions can always be rescheduled if needed.
Support therapy is designed to help you deal with difficult life circumstances, without losing track of yourself and your priorities.
In this general approach, I often use a mix of cognitive-behavioral therapy, schema therapy, and systemic influences to help you understand how events are affecting you, and how to go through them as peacefully as possible.
Support therapy can help you overcome diseases, grief, or relational difficulties. It is also useful to acquire a deeper understanding of yourself, and restore harmony between your needs, your value, and your personal or professional experiences. It aims at diminishing that overall struggle or void on a daily basis and increasing your existential well-being.
Parental guidance is specifically designed to accompany your children’s difficulties and prevent parental burn-out.
Children are much more permeable to their environments: depending on their age, they have more or less the cognitive ability to identify their needs and express them adaptively.
Through parental guidance, I can help you (and your partner) understand your children’s needs and positively impact their expression and development.
I do that by using scientific cognitive and behavioral theories as well as my professional experiences. I will also share and explain concrete parenting tools and educational techniques that will help you break the vicious circle your child is facing and improve the parent-children relationships and family dynamics.
Below are a few situations that might require parental guidance:
- Conduct disorder (violence to self or others)
- Relational or communicational difficulties between you and your child
- Accompanying child abuse or bullying
- Accompanying mental disorders in children (attentional deficit hyperactivity, autism, developmental disorders…)
The following approaches are designed for institutional purposes:
In behavioral interventions, I rely on a systematic approach to modify behavior using psychological principles from learning theories. I use this practice most extensively in education, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or with other disabilities. It can also be used in healthcare, animal training, and even in businesses.
Similar to parental guidance, applied behavior analysis requires the presence of different environmental actors that circulate around a problematic behavior.
We start by defining the problematic behavior that needs to be modified, then proceed by monitoring it over a given period of time and tracing its antecedents and consequences. This exercise allows us to establish a baseline and understand the function of the problematic behavior. Behavior is a tool to communicate with our environments: the idea behind this approach is to understand the message delivered, and design a protocol to condition adequate behavioral responses.
Once the function (message behind) of the behavior is understood, we then proceed on establishing behavioral planning and implementing behavioral and environmental modifications. Regular follow-ups are usually recommended at this point to validate initial hypothesis and adapt the behavioral plan if needed.
French authorities encourage multi-professional group practice analysis for professionals in the social and medical sector. As a psychologist, my job is to animate this group exercise, building alliance and trust amongst coworkers and helping them overcome their daily professional challenges.
Through private, benevolent, and non-judgmental settings, I will use my knowledge in systemic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy for solution-oriented purposes. My long-term experience in the social and medical field also allows me to relate and understand repetitive dynamics and challenges on the ground.
Training and psychological workshops can be scheduled on demand. Popular topics include Understanding and working with abused populations, Understanding and working with a disabled population, Understanding and working with psychological disorders, Conflict management, Behavioral techniques, Communication techniques, and so on and so forth.
