Family-Therapy-, CBT- and EMDR-Informed Psychological Consultations in Vienna and Online
How Does my Approach Work?
While offering psychological consultations and support in Vienna and online based on the core principles of CBT, EMDR and family therapy, I follow the widely accepted concept of counselling as a process that enables others to make their own decisions and adjustments in the face of life difficulties. Furthermore, I aim to establish a safe and confidential counsellor-client connection with a lot of empathy. An empathetic environment aids people in exploring their problems and developing a better understanding of themselves to propel towards transformation or change and live a more resourceful life.
Psychological consultations may help improve relationships, resolve conflict, manage crises, make decisions or manage specific difficulties. However, it differs from psychotherapy. The emphasis of psychotherapy is often on treating diagnosed conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression or other medical conditions. In contrast, in counselling, equal if not more importance is given to the process of transformation or change.
Counsellors employ various therapeutic approaches, such as influences of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, experiential and humanistic schools, discretely or as an integrative approach. In addition, they may define themselves by the problems they work with, such as bereavement, mental health or marriage. Counselling goals may merely involve providing a safe and non-judgmental space for people to share thoughts, feelings and experiences and gain insights. In addition, a counsellor may be asked for more guidance and direction to help solve a problem or make a decision.
What Conditions Can I Help With Applying the Principles of CBT, EMDR, Family Therapy and Neuroscience of Mental Health (in Vienna and Online)?
As an integrative psychologist trained at Vienna University (Austria) and King’s College London (UK), I draw on several approaches, including core principles of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety and relationship problems and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing EMDR for psychological trauma. Moreover, I may employ family and systemic counselling, stress and burnout management, performance coaching and neuroscience of mental health to help my clients overcome life transitions, crises and daily challenges which often involve
- loss and grief
- stress and burnout
- anger control difficulties
- moodiness or low mood
- excessive overthinking, doubts, uncertainties and worries
- life challenges while undergoing depression or anxiety treatment
- life challenges related to the consequences of psychological trauma
- other mental health and psychological well-being concerns.
Furthermore, the challenges might be related to
- career changes
- procrastination and a lack of motivation
- professional relationship problems
- partnership and marital difficulties and crises.
I abide by Austrian and international ethical and legal norms and regulations for psychosocial counsellors.
What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)?
CBT emerged in the 1960s. Aaron Beck initially developed CBT as therapy for depression. It has been adapted to the treatment of a wide range of disorders and non-clinical conditions, including anxiety and PTSD. CBT is built around the concept of faulty (irrational) thoughts. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of thoughts, emotions and behaviours triggered by a person’s perception of a situation. These interconnected thoughts, emotions and behaviours form a self-perpetuating vicious cycle. CBT seeks to break this cycle and transform it into a more rational, constructive virtuous loop. Cognitive-behavioural theory asserts that the previous knowledge, core beliefs, and experiences of people regulate their way of perceiving and interpreting various external stimuli in the present.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Francine Shapiro devised EMDR in the 1980s as initially a technique for treating PTSD. It has been adapted to many other clinical and non-clinical conditions. EMDR therapy is an integrative process that rests on the adaptive information processing (AIP) model assuming that many problems stem from traumatic or adverse experiences in the past. Memories of these experiences remain unprocessed and stored in the neural network that is distinct from the adaptive memory network. According to the EMDR approach, a disturbing or traumatic incident can be locked into the brain through bodily sensations, emotions, images, sounds, and thoughts. EMDR stimulates information processing and allows the brain to integrate adverse memories. CBT and EMDR can be administered both in person and online.
Click here to learn more about my education and experience.
To schedule an individual or couples session in 1060 Vienna or online, contact Diana at diana@betterlifepsychologist.com or +436643884264 (WhatsApp). Or you can use this contact/booking form Reach out – Book a Session.