Letitia TRIFANESCU, Ph.D.
Psychologist Psychotherapist
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
The reasons for reaching out to a psychologist or a therapist are just as diverse as the people who engage in psychotherapy and those listed below are not exhaustive. My job is to create a suitable psychological environment for listening, for expressing your thoughts and emotions and to help you explore the problems bothering you, as well as to support you all through this process of change. The purpose of the first sessions is to identify together the objective to aim for, as well as the best strategy, steps and means to reach it.
Going through a hardship or a difficult period ...
This can be related to life challenges such as grieving or loss, or periods on the professional or personal level, that seem hopeless. Among them, "existential crossroads", such as important or painful transitions that raise questions. Also, times when you want to make changes without knowing which path to take or periods of deep exhaustion where you gradually lose energy and taste for life.
Having difficulties relating with
others ...
Some people may find it difficult to engage in fulfilling social or emotional relationships or to reach out to others in a new social environment. This can translate into a feeling of loneliness, isolation or being misunderstood by others, a feeling of being different, of not fitting in Also, this can lead to a desire to change patterns of relationship, which tend to repeat, are not satisfying or bring suffering.
Feeling not capable, not good enough ...
Feeling stressed, anxious ...
This issue affects the image we have of ourselves, the value we place on ourselves and how we position ourselves in regards to others. It also targets self-confidence, realistic and adapted knowledge of our ressources and limitations, of our qualities, fields of competence, and the role this plays in interacting with others.
There may be times when stress and worry build up and sometimes combine with generalized anxiety. The impression of being overwhelmed, agitated, constantly worried, lost in the decisions to be made, can have consequences on the good general functioning as well as on sleep (difficulty to fall asleep, to have a continuous and restful sleep, nocturnal awakenings ...). In return, lack of sleep generates chronic fatigue, which changes the way we perceive the present, the future and what is possible.
Wanting something else, but feeling
stuck ...
Wanting to to know yourself better ...
Feeling unsatisfied, frustrated, having the intuition that you would feel better otherwise, but not seeing clearly the path to follow. We can explore how to transform this into a project, work on what is blocking, or on adjusting the way to look at success or failure. We can also work on understanding what resources are available, as well as on identifying attitudes. and behaviours that would hold you back.
You can also seek out a psychologist or psychotherapist when you feel the desire to get to know yourself better, to work on yourself and certain aspects of who you are. Also, when you feel the need to have time dedicated to yourself and your focus on your own person, time to think about and try to understand certain aspects of your personnality, behaviours or reactions. All while being guided in this process by a professional.
...and more.
What to expect during individual sessions
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In individual counselling and psychotherapy, the first session will help us get acquainted and will allow me to get an understanding of the difficulties you are going through and which made you seek therapy, in order to suggest to you the best strategy for adressing them. Hence, the purpose of this session is to agree on this first therapeutic strategy, which we will follow session after session, using the methods and tools best suited for each person and the specific issues they struggle with. Both the strategy and the way to go about it can change and evolve during therapy, so they can always adjust to your needs.