“Crises, upheavals and illness do not happen by chance, they serve as indicators to rectify a trajectory, explore new directions, experience another way of life”
CARL GUSTAV JUNG
ABOUT ME
As a cognitive behavioral therapist (CBT) and former researcher in the clinical field (University Hospital of Geneva), I strongly believe that psychological care, as a part of healthcare, must be based on scientific evidence. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach and I believe in collaborative engagement where we are able to explore and develop a path that works for you. I therefor base my approach on a range of theoretical orientations, some or all of which we will draw upon to suit you as an individual.
Born in Geneva into a multicultural family, I have always been curious about the social and cultural aspects of psychological difficulties. After my basic training in Geneva, I obtained a Master's Degree in clinical psychology and psychopathology at the University of Lausanne with a minor in sociocultural psychology. I believe it important to integrate these dimensions into my work in order to find ways to live well with oneself and to develop one's rightful place and desired role in society, including a deep, meaningful and honest relationship with others.
Having evolved in sectors as diverse as perinatal care, child psychiatry (HUG) and adult psychiatry (CHUV, private practise) and having worked with various types of psychological difficulties (anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, eating disorders, personality disorders, phobias, etc.), I now work in French or in English with adults, adolescents, children and their families in my private practice in the district of Champel, Geneva.
For any questions on the possibility of working together, I kindly invite you to contact me by phone or by email.
I look forward to meeting you.
SERVICES
Individual care may be appropriate for a range of different situations. Directly or indirectly, individual care aims above all else to reduce suffering.
Depending on your needs or the problem you wish to adress, we will define specific goals together and work weekly or bi-montly to achieve them.
Sometimes, it can be hard to identify what is causing us pain. Individual care makes it possible to clarify needs in order to set clear objectives. Finally, individual therapy can also help us to get to know ourselves and our relationships to others better and to take responsibility for our lives and our desires in an approach centered on personal development.
“Self-confidence and assertive communication”
is a short-term therapy protocol recommended for people who find it difficult to express their needs or opinions in front of others.
One can, for example, be afraid of showing disagreement for fear of hurting or disappointing others. In other situations, we can be reluctant to talk about ourselves and our way of seeing things for fear of being ridiculed, uninteresting or for fear of embarrassment or rejection;
GROUPE THÉRAPEUTIQUE 2
"Identifying, understanding and regulating emotions" is a short-term therapy protocol for people who encounter difficulties related to their emotions. For example, one can experience anxiety, sometimes going as far as having panic attacks without understanding the origin of the problem. At times we can also have the impression of losing control and behaving in a way that we then regret, such as yelling, insulting, or hitting, without feeling like we are able to express ourselves or being heard.
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A FEW WORDS ON COGNITIVE
BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a model for understanding human functioning and explaining the nature of psychological difficulties and suffering to provide them with a solution. It is based on learning theories and information processing theories, both deriving from scientific studies.
According to the cognitive behavioral model, human beings come into the world with a set of genetic characteristics that make up their temperament or personality. During development, our innate constitution interacts with our surroundings (family and social context) to carry out the learnings necessary for our development.
In line with this model, psychological difficulties are the result of maladaptive learnings which cause emotional reactions and behaviors that are unwanted or sometimes disproportionate to situations which normally would not generate such responses. Several factors are involved in maladaptive learnings, including the explanations and interpretations we tend to give to the situations we go through. To face the psychological issues we encounter, cognitive behavioral therapy offers a set of techniques aimed at modifying the elements that maintain the problem and create vicious cycles:
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Thoughts: we learn to identify the thoughts that make us suffer, to put them into discussion and in time work to modify them
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Emotions: we identify painful emotional states and provide them with relief and regulation through relaxation techniques (breathing, muscle relaxation, meditation, etc.) and general self-care
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Behaviors: we learn to question our behavioral responses to certain situations and gradually adopt behaviors that are more suited to those situations and in agreement with our goals and true selves.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a journey based on a collaboration between the patient and the therapist in which the former is the expert of their own life and difficulties and the latter is the expert on the method. Trust and agreement on goals is essential to create a context in which one acquires the strategies to gradually build the path to one's well-being.
FAQ
How long is a session ?
An individual session lasts 50 to 60 minutes and a group session lasts 2 hours with a short break in the middle.
How do I know if you are the right psychologist for me?
Choosing your psychologist is an important process. To facilitate this process, I offer a 15-minute free phone call to discuss your needs, expectations and the type of work I do. A good way to decide if a psychologist is the right person for you is to listen to how you feel in their presence. At the very least, you should feel trustful, respected and heard. Sometimes it is worth giving it 1 to 3 sessions to get to know each other better before making a decision.
How long will we work together for?
Sometimes, short term support is enough to adress a specific issue or when one needs occasional psychological support to get through a specific situation. In this case, sessions can take place over a period of a few weeks/months. In other cases, with more diffuse issues or with regards to personal development and growth, the work can last a year or more. Decisions about the frequency and duration of care are discussed between the patient and the psychologist.
How much does a session cost and is it reimbursed by health insurance?
An individual session costs 160 CHF and a couple's session or a family session costs 220 CHF. Sessions are not reimbursed by the swiss basic insurance (LAMal). However, some supplementary insurance programs reimburse part of the treatment.
Participating to group therapy costs 1000 CHF and covers all 10 sessions. Group sessions are reimbursed by most supplementary insurances.
I'm not suffering from mental illness, can we still work together ?
Psychological care is intended for anyone who wants to know and understand themselves better. Sometimes it's needed to alleviate suffering or to bring solutions to a specific problem. Sometimes, it helps to treat a disorder that is creating a more general sense of distress. Sometimes, it provides guidance in a quest for personal development and self-understanding. There is no "bad" reason to want psychological care.
CONTACT
