Therapy Online
Individual Therapy
Couple/Family Therapy
What is ‘Systemic Family Therapy’?
Systemic psychotherapy looks at people’s suffering within the framework of their social relationships and their current life situation. Systemic family therapy differs from other types of psychotherapy. During systemic approaches we do not point at the “client” to be the cause of the treatment, but rather take into account the whole context of the family. The family is seen as a single living organism where everyone is connected to everyone else – even if one does experience any attachments towards his or her family. If any member of the family has signs of dysfunction, often a potential cause needs to be sought in the broken relationships within the family, rather than in the person alone.
What means ‘Systemic’?
The term “systemic” highlights the relationship between the individual and the context in which he or she lives and grows up. Systemic therapist explores the interplay between the individual and the corresponding relationships in different systems and environments: family, couples, work, community, culture. The problem or challenge experienced is not seen as lying solemnly within the person, but rather as a connection (i.e., “miscommunication”) with other members of the systems one is part of.
Why ‘Family’?
Historically, the systemic family approach developed primarily in the context of family therapy, hence the name “Systemic Family Therapy”. It signifies a deep focus on the relationship with the most significant other members of the systems of which we are part of. As the methodical approach evolved so has also the systemic family therapist gained a greater skillet looking at a problem from different perspectives.
What is a ‘Systemic Family Therapist’?
Each person is born into a cluster of ‘stories’ including the political, economic and cultural zeitgeist as well as personal, family and community obligations. Systemic therapists honor all of these contexts with the acronym ‘GRRAACCCES’: Gender, Race, Religion, (differing) Abilities, Age, Culture, Color, Class, Ethnicity and Sexual orientation. We take all these issues (and many others) into account in order to understand what affects a person’s unique position in the world.
My Areas of Expertise
Stress
Personal changes and transitions, choosing your career path/ field of work, field of study, finishing your degree, embarking into the working force, career changes and challenges others seem to master with ease.
Anxiety
Obsessively avoiding feared objects or places, which makes it hard to enjoy or complete everyday tasks at home, work or school; Various types and forms of panic attacks.
Depression
Loss of pleasure, sleep disturbances, listlessness, lethargy, sadness, feeling of worthlessness, feeling of loneliness, fatigue or loss of energy.
Trauma
Loss, grief, severe accidents, childhood traumas, assaults (emotional, physical, sexual), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Relationship issues
Individual or couple therapy; marriage, time management and a shared everyday life, emotional closeness, infidelity, separation, divorce
Family-Related issues
Planning a family, uncertainties about becoming a parent, parenting and communication within the family.
Self-esteem
Body image, comparing yourself to others, self-hatred, perfectionism, feeling of shame, self-doubt.
Emotional Issues
Avoidance of emotional situations, anger, apathy, burnout, jealousy, hatred, lack of understanding emotions, irritability, difficulty controlling emotions, resentment.
FAQ
An online session takes place via an online video call using Skype, Zoom or Whereby. We get in touch with each other before the call, you confirm that you are alone, and we start the session. You can imagine it as being a calm conversation with a friend, where you feel comfortable to share your thoughts without the fear of being judged or misunderstood.
The sessions happen from the comfort of your own home, car or any place it would be convenient for you to have a one-on-one conversation with me – all you need is a device with a camera and a stable internet connection. Online therapy is convenient, especially during a pandemic or situation, where you can or do not want to get out of your home or comfort zone.
Therapy can be short-term or long-term – it’s a process unique to each client. The number of sessions depends on your situation and the complexity of the issues you want to resolve. I recommend having therapy for at least one month – which shall be enough to start engaging and noticing changes in your feelings and perceptions of the issue at hand. While some clients get to the desired state of their emotional well-being relatively fast, others may need ongoing support for a year or longer.
I guess this is up to everyone individually, but studies suggest that online treatment is just as effective as a face-to-face alternative. For instance, a meta-analysis (Barak, Hen, Boniel-Nissim & Shapira, 2008) combining results from 92 scientific studies and 9000 clients compared traditional and internet-based therapy and found no difference in effectiveness. A growing body of research provides support for online practices as a legitimate therapeutic activity.
Each session lasts 50 minutes. In case we realize we need some more time, we will sort it out on the spot. Some of my clients ask right-away for a double-session, especially during couple therapy. This can be useful to work through a specific issue.
Generally, I suggest having our sessions once a week or every second week. Having said this, it solemnly depends on you and what you feel you need.
Normally each of my clients I work with pays for the sum due at the end of each month. If you are in another country, and we agree on online-therapy, we will work through standard bank transfers. Details I discuss with each client individually via phone and email.
You can cancel the session up to 48 hours in advance by contacting the specialist
Yes! The first step is always a first short call to discuss your goals and get to know each other. Just fill out the form to the best you can, and I will get in touch with you soon.