Psychological Sessions in Vienna and Online Informed by EMDR, CBT and Trauma-Focused Approaches
How Does my Approach Work?
I offer psychological consultations (GISA-licensed psychologische Beratung) in Vienna and online based on the core principles of CBT, EMDR, trauma and family therapy to help clients address various life issues, including situations where these difficulties co-occur with conditions such as depression, ADHD, anxiety and psychological trauma that are addressed in parallel by a clinical professional.
I offer support that does not constitute clinical-psychological treatment, psychotherapy or medical psychiatric care. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or require a clinical diagnosis, please consult a licensed clinical psychologist, psychiatrist or medical doctor.
Psychological consultations may help improve relationships, resolve conflict, manage crises, make decisions or manage specific difficulties. 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. Yet, a counsellor may be asked for more guidance and direction to help solve a problem or make a decision.
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, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relationship problems. 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 previous knowledge, core beliefs and experiences of people regulate their way of (negatively) perceiving and interpreting various external stimuli in the present.
- For depression, CBT helps challenge irrational thoughts, improve mood and restore motivation for daily activities.
- For anxiety, CBT focuses on reducing excessive worry and physical symptoms by addressing avoidance patterns and catastrophic thinking.
- For ADHD, CBT aims to enhance focus, time management and emotional regulation through structured, goal-oriented strategies.
- For relationship problems, CBT assists individuals and couples in identifying unhelpful interaction patterns and developing healthier communication skills and emotion regulation.
What is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Francine Shapiro devised EMDR in the 1980s as initially a technique for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It has been developed to address 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 ”locks” into the brain through bodily sensations, emotions, images, sounds, and thoughts. EMDR stimulates information processing and allows the brain to integrate adverse memories. I often combine EMDR-based counselling and skill-building CBT, conducting sessions both online and in person in my Vienna practice.
What Problems Can I Help Solve, Applying the Principles of CBT, Trauma Therapy and EMDR
I help my clients overcome life transitions, crises and daily challenges, which may involve:
- bereavement
- burnout
- anger
- bad mood
- difficulties with communication
- problems with focusing
- excessive overthinking
- lacking motivation and procrastinating
- life challenges co-occurring with mental health and neurological conditions that are being medically treated in parallel
Furthermore, the difficulties might be realated to
- career
- professional relationships
- partnership and marriage
Booking a Psychological Session in Vienna (Based on EMDR and CBT Theory Principles) to Support Well-Being
Click here to learn more about my education and experience.
To schedule a session in 1060 Wien or online, contact Diana at diana@betterlifepsychologist.com or +436643884264 (WhatsApp). Or you can use this contact/booking form Reach out – Book a Session.