My Therapeutic Approaches
The biggest predictors of therapeutic success are therapeutic alliance at 70% and the client (changes between sessions) at 22%.No matter which therapeutic model is used, I have an open and dynamic approach. I try to adapt my interventions as much as possible to my client’s needs and use the most suitable tools to achieve therapeutic success.
The duration of the therapeutic process is variable from case to case and is difficult to determine in advance. I practice two short/medium-term approaches, varying in duration from a few months to a year, including Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. This being said, you should begin to notice the benefits of therapy after only 12 sessions, such as having improved comprehension of the problem and reasons you are struggling to change, as well as tools to start reaching your goals.
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The Cognitive-Behavioural Approach or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) aims to modify thoughts and behaviours that are considered to be the source of the problem. The goal is therefore to better understand inadequate thoughts and behaviours in order to replace them in a more functional way. The therapeutic process can be done individually or as a couple and is essentially defined by verbal exchanges. You will most likely be suggested to try certain exercises at home to ensure the maintenance of long-term improvements.
- Schema Therapy (Young) : Cognitive schemas refer to beliefs that a person has about one’s self that are formed from physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioural memories from childhood. Certain contexts encourage the triggering of a schema, which is often perceived as a negative experience by the individual. During Schema Therapy, the interventions aim to better understand and lessen the reaction of the schema in order to create a distance from it.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) : With Solution-Focused Brief Therapy little time is spent exploring the potential causes of a problem and the focus is rather spent on the objectives and solutions of the client. The intervention seeks to remain as simple as possible, the importance being placed on the client’s existing solutions and skills within the problematic situation. The sessions are in the form of collaboration between the client and the therapist, and the emphasis is placed on mental health instead of mental pathology.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) : Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, also known as ACT, a third-wave therapy of the cognitive-behavioural approach, aims to improve an individual’s psychological flexibility. In other words, instead of having the objective of reducing symptoms, this approach seeks to increase the acceptance of one’s experiences, thoughts and feelings, being present in the moment, in order to promote committed actions that contribute to a more valuable and enriching existence. The therapeutic effort asks that the client be more mindful of the present moment, having the capacity to pull back from dysfunctional and disturbing thoughts, and taking action towards their values. As part of my training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, I am also certified to teach mindfulness meditation.
- Mindfulness Meditation (MPC) :
As part of the third wave of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, I teach and incorporate the teaching of mindfulness meditation in the therapeutic process.
I have over 60 hours of professional training in teaching mindfulness meditation and can guide you in your actual or new practice and answer your questions.
- Mindfulness meditation is a simple calming technique that can be defined simply as paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally (Kabat-Zinn, 2003).
Several hundred scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of mindfulness meditation. There are several potential benefits, amongst others, improved interpersonal relationships, mental functions, health, and quality of life and decreased stress, anxiety, pain and depression.
A simple technique, once understood and applied, with few or no undesirable effects, it is well worth the time invested. Mindfulness meditation teachings can be done within the context of psychotherapy or sex therapy or taught on its own.
For more information of the cognitive-behavioural approach, read the article:
Sexothérapie selon l’approche cognitivo-comportementale
or consult the OPQ website.
Within the cognitive-behavioural approach, I also practice the following:
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According to the Systemic-Interactional Approach, the couple is seen as a system of its own and sexuality is the reflection of interaction within the system (i.e. the couple). During the therapeutic process, both partners are brought to identify their particular type of communication. The goal is to modify this dynamic in order to improve their difficulty. Communication is a key element to couple’s therapy and an important lever of change. Clients are seen as a couple and both partners must be present to the session. Generally, couple’s therapy can last between ten and thirty weekly sessions.
For more information on the Systemic-Interactional Approach, read the article:
La sexothérapie selon l’approche systémique
or consult the OPQ website.
As part of the Systemic-Interactional Approach, I also practice Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (see above).
- Mindfulness Meditation Teaching (MPC) :
Teaching of Mindfulness meditation can be done in the context of psychotherapy or done on its own is a few sessions.
If you wish to learn the fundamentals of mindfulness meditation and start your personal practice or improve or better understand your current practice, it can be done in as few as three individual sessions or in a group context. For more information on Mindfulness Meditation (see above). - Eye Movement Integration Therapy (EMI) :
EMI is the integration process of painful memories using directed eye movements. It is not psychotherapy, but neurotherapy. This being said, it is a technique that can be used within psychotherapy.
It is a short-term intervention which is a fast and effective way to reduce and eliminate negative symptoms resulting from a difficult event.
You might have been through a stressful even in the past and felt the effects of stress hormones on your body, emotions and thoughts. Stress and fear can be normal and adaptive responses to a situation, but sometimes, their effect persists. When it comes to troubling memories of traumatic events, traditional psychotherapy can be a source of suffering and not always sufficient to treat the source of this suffering. It is also limited since it gives way to one main modality, the cognitive modality and less to others. Eye Movement Integration or EMI, a neurotherapeutic technique, has a neurological component that traditional psychotherapy does not, that is, the accent on the multiple cognitive, sensory and emotional modalities of the person at once.
Who Is It For?
EMI is a technique that can be used on children, adolescents and adults.
The residual symptoms following a disturbing event are variable and can include, among others, painful and recurring negative memories related to a recent or past event, fear and anxiety, depression, anger, nightmares and dreams, sleep problems, flashbacks, unpleasant or overwhelming emotions, sensations or thoughts, avoidance or flight behaviours, panic attacks, loss or lack of interest in friends/family/work/sexuality, etc.
EMI can be an efficient technique as treatment after a multitude of disturbing events, such as: difficult childbirth, fear or phobia (ex. fear or penetration, gynaecological exams, childbirth), fear or anxiety related to your child’s illness or potential illness, sexual problem, post-traumatic stress syndrome, psychological or childhood sexual harassment, physical, sexual or psychological abuse (or witness to), troubling dreams or nightmares, certain chronic pain, imprisonment, abuse or rape, grief or perinatal grief, an accident, medical intervention, hospitalization or illness (you or a loved one), or other symptoms related to a traumatic or stressful event.
The Procedure
In preparation for the eye movements, the treatment begins with a rigorous evaluation where the memories of the troubling event are identified and the presence or absence of counter-indications is evaluated, as well as the explanation and preparation of the technique and eye movement session.
The evaluation is followed by a 1.5-hour session of directed eye movements, where the clinician directs a series of 22 eye movements in different directions, following the rhythm of the client. There is a short pause between each eye movement, in order to collect the sensory, cognitive and emotional information, if need be, until there are signs of integration. After this session, the neurological treatment persists and the client can observe emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioural symptoms, particularly during the first 48 to 72 hours.
A follow-up session is scheduled two weeks later for an adult and one week later for a child in order to verify the results and the state of the client and prepare a second eye movement session if need be.
When compared to traditional psychotherapy, EMI is a fast and effective technique. Typically, clients will need 2 to 6 treatments, but some only require one. In fact, according to a pilot study on EMI, on average, the effects of post-traumatic stress were reduced by 48% with just one treatment of EMI, and a reduction of 83% of symptoms was observed with a complete treatment.
By Who?
Eye Movement Integration can be done within psychotherapy as well as a separate treatment, following an evaluation. The technique must be practised by a certified EMI practitioner. I am a level 2 EMI practitioner since 2015.
If you are suffering from undesirable symptoms, know that there exist a fast and effective way to rid yourself of your fears, stress, trauma and treat painful and traumatic memories.
