Approaches
Below we leave a brief description of some of the approaches used by us. Their choice is designed for each particular case. These will depend on the psychologist (each psychologist is trained in specific areas - please visit Team for more information), and the topic being worked on. Therapist and patient co-construct this process.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Mindfulness-Based Interventions, or mindfulness, offer techniques that allow us to focus our attention in the present moment, intentionally and without judgment. Several studies demonstrate its effectiveness not only in depression, but also in reducing anxiety, stress and helping to cope with illness and pain.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, which is widely studied and implemented, seeks to help identifying the thought patterns, rules, ways of thinking, habits and attitudes that are at the origin of the difficulties and learn thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and strategies that best serve individual goals and increase well-being.
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-Focused Therapy advocates the development of a more compassionate attitude towards oneself, namely through the development of a warm inner voice, and compassion towards others. It has been shown to be very effective in reducing self-criticism, and in turn, depression and anxiety.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy promotes cognitive flexibility through mindfulness and acceptance of the thoughts and emotions that cause suffering, clarifying individual life values. Several studies have shown its efficacy, particularly in reducing anxiety, depression and chronic pain.
EMDR
EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is an integrative therapeutic intervention, which aims to help the patient reprocess emotionally traumatic experiences, through bilateral stimulation of the brain (visual, auditory, tactile).
EMDR therapy is made up of 8 phases and several studies have demonstrated its effectiveness, particularly in situations of trauma and post-traumatic stress, through the installation of positive resources and improvement of performance.
Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a neuroprocessing method based on relational and neurobiological attunement. It works by processing and releasing neuropsychological sources of physical and emotional pain. It allows you to work on experiences and symptoms that are normally beyond the reach of the conscious mind, promoting self-regulation.
Clinical Hypnosis
Clinical Hypnosis is an approach used to create a state of inner attention under deep relaxation, allowing the mind to focus on our mental records, the therapist's suggestions and the proposed therapeutic exercises, in a very focused way. In hypnosis, an altered state of consciousness is achieved, freer from the filters of the analytical part of the mind and its distractions, allowing you to work on your goals of change and well-being, effectively and consistently over time. Hypnosis, although guided by the therapist, is self-induced, without loss of control over what one does, says or feels. The person under hypnosis is not asleep and is aware of the experience. Therapist and client are the two active actors of a team that works responsibly to achieve the therapeutic goals defined by both. Hypnotherapy, or clinical hypnosis, is safe, has no side effects and has very few contraindications. Some of the indications for Hypnotherapy are: Phobias, Panic and Anxiety Disorder, Smoking Cessation, Behavioral/Lifestyle Change, Insomnia and Sleep Disorders, Chronic Pain, Self-Esteem, Sexual Dysfunction, among others.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
IFS (Internal Family Systems) is a model based on scientific evidence, which understands the mind/personality as a set of different parts or aspects that interact with each other, forming an internal system with specific patterns. Each of these “parts”, or aspects of our personality, has its own perspectives and motivations. We all have Critical, Caring, Rational and Emotional parts, parts of Shame and Guilt, parts that carry Anger and Sadness, or even others that aim to please everyone, or that seek Validation. IFS is a non-pathologizing, compassionate approach that aims to understand the function of all these parts of us, working on the connection between body-mind-emotions, with the goal of balancing our internal system, greater emotional regulation and opening up to more options for freedom and autonomy.
SE (Somatic Experiencing)
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a model that recognizes that our biology/body, when exposed to threatening experiences, responds in different ways to self-preserve and find conditions of safety and tranquility to restore itself. Throughout our lives, we are exposed to sometimes extreme experiences that mobilize a lot of “charge”. We refer to tension, contraction, agitation, body memories associated with body movements or sensations, which are trapped in the body in repetition (without there being a rational understanding), and which our Nervous System is unable to process. When this unprocessed charge remains, it becomes fixed and results in fixed and disorganized physiological patterns (tics, tensions, physical symptoms in various systems and organs, mental symptoms). SE provides tools that allow us to restore the natural flow, discharge accumulated charges in the body and bring a sense of security to our Nervous System. In this way, we become more present and oriented in the physical and relational world, leaving limiting and repetitive patterns originated in the past.
Couples Therapy, IFIO Model (Intimacy From Inside Out)
IFIO Model (Intimacy From Inside Out) is an intervention model in Couple Psychotherapy, based on the Internal Family Systems model. It focuses on the set of aspects of patterns and characteristics of each of the couple's elements, understanding the dynamics between the two, in order to promote a healthy connection and clear communication between the two, and allowing present conflicts to be resolved. Part of the process aims to understand what triggers each of the elements has, what their origin is and how they are activated by the partner, finding ways to communicate about what is happening and finding solutions and alternative options to the current ones.