"I believe that the person in need should be the center of care, but not only that: I believe it's essential to understand, comfort, and support them."
"I believe that the person in need should be the center of care, but not only that: I believe it's essential to understand, comfort, and support them."
Dependencies & Addictions
“The tip of the iceberg of deeper pain”
Addictive behaviours are the manifestation of deeper pain. The use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is always linked to the pursuit of pleasure and a need to feel better. Often, dosage and frequency increase over time, leading to negative and often severe impacts on the person’s life.
Behavioural addictions – without substances – are behaviours that create and sustain pleasure and have a negative impact on an individual’s personal life and relationships.
Examples include addictions to certain sexual behaviours, gaming, screens, social networks and compulsive shopping. All these behaviours can lead to suffering if left untreated. The role of psychotherapy is fundamental in the therapeutic process.
DEPENDENCIES & ADDICTIONS
“The tip of the iceberg of deeper pain”
Addictive behaviours are the manifestation of deeper pain. The use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco is always linked to the pursuit of pleasure and a need to feel better. Often, dosage and frequency increase over time, leading to negative and often severe impacts on the person’s life.
Behavioural addictions – without substances – are behaviours that create and sustain pleasure and have a negative impact on an individual’s personal life and relationships.
Examples include addictions to certain sexual behaviours, gaming, screens, social networks and compulsive shopping. All these behaviours can lead to suffering if left untreated. The role of psychotherapy is fundamental in the therapeutic process.
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
“Anxiety and depression present in a similar way”
Anxiety and depression are two sides of the same coin.
Anxiety disorders are characterised by dysfunctional behaviours that the patient sees as reducing presumed and future danger, while depressive disorders are characterised by low mood, which may not be easy to recognise, and which leads to a loss of pleasure and interest in decision-making and activities. The most common symptoms are social isolation, changes in appetite, irritability, disrupted sleep and loss of self-worth.
These disorders are very common. In 2020, the World Health Organization reported that depression was the second most prevalent health condition after cardiovascular disease, and the most common mental health condition.
Anxiety disorders can manifest in specific ways: panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative disorders, and phobias such as body dysmorphia, arachnophobia, agoraphobia and aviophobia – to cite just a few examples.
It is critical that the person is diagnosed and receives treatment from a specialist (psychotherapy and potentially pharmacotherapy) to help them recognise and manage their symptoms.
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
“Anxiety and depression present in a similar way”
Anxiety and depression are two sides of the same coin.
Anxiety disorders are characterised by dysfunctional behaviours that the patient sees as reducing presumed and future danger, while depressive disorders are characterised by low mood, which may not be easy to recognise, and which leads to a loss of pleasure and interest in decision-making and activities. The most common symptoms are social isolation, changes in appetite, irritability, disrupted sleep and loss of self-worth.
These disorders are very common. In 2020, the World Health Organization reported that depression was the second most prevalent health condition after cardiovascular disease, and the most common mental health condition.
Anxiety disorders can manifest in specific ways: panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dissociative disorders, and phobias such as body dysmorphia, arachnophobia, agoraphobia and aviophobia – to cite just a few examples.
It is critical that the person is diagnosed and receives treatment from a specialist (psychotherapy and potentially pharmacotherapy) to help them recognise and manage their symptoms.
BURN OUT
work-related stress
“Feeling like a candle burning at both ends”
Now common, the term burnout describes extreme physical and mental fatigue along with a loss of self-esteem and motivation at work.
Depression is not the same as burnout, but is a comorbidity that can develop at the same time.
A person suffering from burnout requires targeted, deep-reaching support from a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy to restore their calm and happiness at home and at work.
BURN OUT
WORK RELATED STRESS
“Feeling like a candle burning at both ends”
Now common, the term burnout describes extreme physical and mental fatigue along with a loss of self-esteem and motivation at work.
Depression is not the same as burnout, but is a comorbidity that can develop at the same time.
A person suffering from burnout requires targeted, deep-reaching support from a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy to restore their calm and happiness at home and at work.
EXISTENTIAL CRISIS
“Charting a new course in life”
It’s not uncommon to go through periods of dissatisfaction, pain and searching for meaning.
Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic support is important to gain a better understanding of oneself, recognise and change unhelpful beliefs, and draw a path in life that feels more aligned.
EXISTENTIAL CRISIS
“Charting a new course in life”
It’s not uncommon to go through periods of dissatisfaction, pain and searching for meaning.
Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic support is important to gain a better understanding of oneself, recognise and change unhelpful beliefs, and draw a path in life that feels more aligned.
Relational Disorders
emotional dependency and co-dependency
“Knowing yourself helps build healthy relationships”
A person with emotional dependency places their fusional relationship with another person at the centre of their life.
The positioning of the two partners is thrown out of balance, undermining the autonomy of the emotionally dependent person, who often experiences symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The behaviour of a person with emotional dependency is dysfunctional because that person does not protect their own needs and values.
RELATIONAL DISORDERS
emotional dependency and co-dependency
“Knowing yourself helps build healthy relationships”
A person with emotional dependency places their fusional relationship with another person at the centre of their life.
The positioning of the two partners is thrown out of balance, undermining the autonomy of the emotionally dependent person, who often experiences symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The behaviour of a person with emotional dependency is dysfunctional because that person does not protect their own needs and values.
Relationship problems
“When your relationship is out of balance”
Relationship problems arise when there is an imbalance in the dynamic between two partners.
Rebuilding an empathetic understanding of each other and effective communication are core goals in couples’ therapy. There can be many reasons for the deterioration of a relationship dynamic, and the resulting disconnect is painful.
Relationships problems
“When your relationship is out of balance”
Relationship problems arise when there is an imbalance in the dynamic between two partners.
Rebuilding an empathetic understanding of each other and effective communication are core goals in couples’ therapy. There can be many reasons for the deterioration of a relationship dynamic, and the resulting disconnect is painful.
SEXUAL DISORDERS
“Sex: is a basic need”
Psychosexual disorders are often linked to difficulties with emotional regulation. They have a real impact on the patient and their partner.
The most appropriate treatment is individual or couples’ psychotherapy, sometimes along with medication.
Treatment based purely on medication is used only to treat physiological sexual disorders.
SEXUAL DISORDERS
“Sex: is a basic need”
Psychosexual disorders are often linked to difficulties with emotional regulation. They have a real impact on the patient and their partner.
The most appropriate treatment is individual or couples’ psychotherapy, sometimes along with medication.
Treatment based purely on medication is used only to treat physiological sexual disorders.
Personality disorders
“When difficulties with emotions spell difficulties with relationships”
The quality of interpersonal interactions during the early years of life influence how a person manages their emotions, their ability to relate to others and their self-awareness.
Those factors – if poorly adjusted – can impact a person’s private life and social life.
Psychiatrists treating personality disorders typically offer an approach combining psychotherapy and pharmacology.
PERSONALITY DISORDER
“When difficulties with emotions spell difficulties with relationships”
The quality of interpersonal interactions during the early years of life influence how a person manages their emotions, their ability to relate to others and their self-awareness.
Those factors – if poorly adjusted – can impact a person’s private life and social life.
Psychiatrists treating personality disorders typically offer an approach combining psychotherapy and pharmacology.
TRAUMA
“The brain can erase memories but not pain”
Traumatic events can be difficult to overcome because they leave a mark on your memory, your emotions and your cognition. The human brain can suppress the memory of a traumatic event, but it cannot erase the neuro-cerebral mark.
That emotional mark impacts the person’s quality of life. The psychotherapeutic process remediates those symptoms by helping the person work through their trauma and through emotional and cognitive restructuring.
TRAUMA
“The brain can erase memories but not pain”
Traumatic events can be difficult to overcome because they leave a mark on your memory, your emotions and your cognition. The human brain can suppress the memory of a traumatic event, but it cannot erase the neuro-cerebral mark.
That emotional mark impacts the person’s quality of life. The psychotherapeutic process remediates those symptoms by helping the person work through their trauma and through emotional and cognitive restructuring.
INSOMNIA
“When sleep feels non-restorative”
According to the latest diagnostic classifications, insomnia is a syndrome of which the symptoms are by definition subjective and are described by patients in terms of disrupted and non-restorative sleep.
The diagnostic process takes place during the consultation, and instrumental investigations may be used to make a differential diagnosis.
Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for insomnia. Pharmacological therapy may also be used during the initial phases of treatment depending on how the syndrome manifests.
INSOMNIA
“When sleep feels non-restorative”
According to the latest diagnostic classifications, insomnia is a syndrome of which the symptoms are by definition subjective and are described by patients in terms of disrupted and non-restorative sleep.
The diagnostic process takes place during the consultation, and instrumental investigations may be used to make a differential diagnosis.
Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy is the recommended treatment for insomnia.
Pharmacological therapy may also be used during the initial phases of treatment depending on how the syndrome manifests.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
“ADHD – the disorder of the 21 st century”
ADHD, an attention deficit that may come hand in hand with hyperactivity, has been studied extensively over the last two decades. It was strongly underdiagnosed before the turn of the 21 st century.
There is a global consensus among psychiatrists that multiple factors lead to this change in the structure and functioning of the brain.
Patients have difficulty concentrating, planning and managing time. Often, they display impulsive behaviours that impact their quality of life.
An approach combining psychotherapy and pharmacology generally yields the best results.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
“ADHD – the disorder of the 21 st century”
ADHD, an attention deficit that may come hand in hand with hyperactivity, has been studied extensively over the last two decades. It was strongly underdiagnosed before the turn of the 21 st century.
There is a global consensus among psychiatrists that multiple factors lead to this change in the structure and functioning of the brain.
Patients have difficulty concentrating, planning and managing time. Often, they display impulsive behaviours that impact their quality of life.
An approach combining psychotherapy and pharmacology generally yields the best results.
EATING DISORDERS
“Your relationship with food determines your quality of life”
Eating disorders are characterised by intrusive thoughts around diet control resulting in restrictive or binge eating.
The quality of the gut microbiome is strongly linked to quality of diet. For that reason, an unbalanced diet can cause physical and mental changes.
Recent research has introduced the concept of the second brain. During the absorption process the intestine releases neurotransmitter molecules that can influence cognitive and emotional processes.
To treat eating disorders, psychiatrists typically use combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods.
EATING DISORDERS
“Your relationship with food determines your quality of life”
Eating disorders are characterised by intrusive thoughts around diet control resulting in restrictive or binge eating.
The quality of the gut microbiome is strongly linked to quality of diet. For that reason, an unbalanced diet can cause physical and mental changes.
Recent research has introduced the concept of the second brain. During the absorption process the intestine releases neurotransmitter molecules that can influence cognitive and emotional processes.
To treat eating disorders, psychiatrists typically use combined pharmacological and psychotherapeutic methods.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
“A different way of feeling and experiencing the world”
Autism is no longer seen as a pathology to correct, but rather as a way of being and seeing the world.
It is part of a spectrum of experiences and perceptions, so is no longer framed in terms of symptoms.
Every autistic person is unique, with their own ways of feeling, thinking and interacting.
The therapeutic goal is not to ‘normalise’, but rather to provide support through a person- centred psychotherapeutic approach. Together, the patient and the psychotherapist explore concrete tools such as psychoeducation, regulation strategies, understanding their needs, and adapting the environment.
The goal is to help everyone have a more positive experience with social interaction and interpersonal communication, while staying true to themselves.
It is just as important that non-autistic people are aware of how neurodivergent people function. That reciprocity is important so that bridges can be built, and different ways of being can exist side by side.
You will be welcomed just as you are, with respect, attentiveness and commitment.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
“A different way of feeling and experiencing the world”
Autism is no longer seen as a pathology to correct, but rather as a way of being and seeing the world.
It is part of a spectrum of experiences and perceptions, so is no longer framed in terms of symptoms.
Every autistic person is unique, with their own ways of feeling, thinking and interacting.
The therapeutic goal is not to ‘normalise’, but rather to provide support through a person- centred psychotherapeutic approach. Together, the patient and the psychotherapist explore concrete tools such as psychoeducation, regulation strategies, understanding their needs, and adapting the environment.
The goal is to help everyone have a more positive experience with social interaction and interpersonal communication, while staying true to themselves.
It is just as important that non-autistic people are aware of how neurodivergent people function. That reciprocity is important so that bridges can be built, and different ways of being can exist side by side.
You will be welcomed just as you are, with respect, attentiveness and commitment.
