Space of expression, exploration and individualized care

If you find yourself in distress or facing challenges, and you feel that your inner resources are insufficient, therapy can provide invaluable support. Our therapeutic approach aims to help you articulate your distress, gain insight into the nature of your difficulties, and develop strategies to overcome them. We offer a safe and confidential space where you can express yourself freely, knowing that your integrity will be respected and confidentiality maintained.

Our professional support is geared towards enhancing your self-awareness and fostering healthier relationships with others. Our team of professionals is dedicated to assisting individuals with serious psychological disorders in understanding and addressing complex, deep-seated emotional and relational issues. By doing so, we aim to reduce symptoms and alleviate distress. However, our services are not limited to those with mental health concerns. Many individuals seeking a deeper sense of fulfillment or grappling with existential questions may also benefit from psychoanalytic or psychodynamic psychotherapy.

People may seek help for various reasons, such as eating disorders, psychosomatic conditions, obsessive behaviors, or phobic anxieties. Others may seek assistance for more generalized feelings of depression or anxiety, difficulties with concentration, work dissatisfaction, or challenges forming meaningful relationships. Our therapeutic approach is applicable to adults, children, and adolescents alike. For children experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties, which may manifest at home or school, therapy can provide valuable support. These challenges may include personality issues, depression, learning difficulties, school-related anxieties, or disruptions in eating or sleeping patterns.

Understand and overcome difficulties in couple’s life with a skilled professional.

The dynamics of a couple's relationship are inherently interactive, and disruptions in the marital bond can manifest in various ways, including through the behavior of both partners, as well as feelings of distance, coldness, and emotional detachment. Many couples grapple with challenges related to their commitment to the relationship, leading them to question its sustainability. In addressing these issues, couple's therapy centers on the dynamics between partners, shedding light on the underlying difficulties within the relationship and navigating relational impasses.

Psychoanalytic therapy for couples is rooted in language and communication. It involves an exploration of the origins of the relationship, the unconscious factors influencing partner selection, and the emotional dynamics inherent in romantic commitment. This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying and addressing resistance within the couple, while also delving into the nuances of transference and countertransference. Throughout the therapeutic process, the therapist's own psyche is engaged, evoking images and passions linked to the couple's familial and ancestral backgrounds.

Space for expression and elaboration for all family members.

We perceive the family as a cohesive unit comprising individuals bound by intricate and meaningful relationships. The equilibrium of the family unit can be disrupted when one of its members experiences distress, consequently impacting the entire group. At times, a cry for help from parents signifies a call for support for the entire family.

In such circumstances, family therapy can prove beneficial, offering assistance to both the collective family unit and each individual member. By listening attentively and comprehending the significance of challenges within the family dynamic, conflicts can be addressed, and the difficulties faced by each member can be resolved.

The primary goal of family therapy is to facilitate the expression of difficulties, resolve conflicts, and reinstate effective communication and listening among family members. This process involves reconstructing a foundational sense of security through recurrent sessions where anxieties and tensions are managed, all while respecting the family's evolving rhythm, crucial for maintaining the therapeutic alliance.

To grasp the complexities of family dynamics and derive meaningful insights, it is imperative to distinguish and categorize the essential processes inherent in family relationships. Five guiding criteria serve as a framework for this purpose:

• Intergenerational transmission
• Assignment of roles within the family
• Dynamics of attachment
• Structural organization
• Adaptive mechanisms

Our therapists provide assessments and psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and families who have disturbances in thinking, feeling, or behaviour that interferes with healthy development.

Some of the most common concerns parents and teachers have are disturbances manifested as:

• anxiety
• behavioural difficulties (aggression, defiance, delinquent behaviour)
• depression
• eating disorders
• learning difficulties
• somatic complaints (headaches or stomach aches not caused by illness)

Our therapists also work with children, adolescents experiencing disorders relating to:

• attachment
• adoption
• bereavement
• divorce and custody issues
• physical and sexual abuse

Serving the emotional needs of children, adolescents and their families

Children, adolescents, and infants have many ways to communicate emotional distress.

Sometimes children and adolescents

• feel very unhappy, worried, or frightened for reasons they cannot explain.
• cling to their parents because they are fearful about independence.
• cannot channel their energy and creativity in ways that develop their potential.
• acquire rituals or phobias because they feel helpless in difficult situations.
• do not know how to make friends or get along with others at school or in the family; sometimes they withdraw from social relationships.
• act meanly or aggressively because they cannot control their actions and cannot find other ways to express their feelings.

Sometimes babies cry a lot or cannot establish regular patterns of eating or sleeping and their caregivers cannot figure out how to help them.

Sometime children and adolescents

• can't learn in school because they are preoccupied with thoughts or feelings.
• struggle to understand difficult life experiences.
• are restless or cannot concentrate because they have not acquired better ways to maintain confidence and calmness.
• have negative attitudes toward themselves and cannot feel good about who they are, even though others can observe their obvious talents and abilities.
• have been exposed to overwhelming, stressful situations that tax their ability to cope.

Sometimes teens

• feel confused about their identity and uncertain about their future.
• turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better because they are depressed.
• develop eating disorders as a way to manage difficult feelings they cannot verbalize.
• join gangs to find companions, community and a sense of safety.

Sometimes babies, children, and adolescents do not respond to their parents' efforts to help them.

Such behaviors and feelings often interfere with a young person's sense of well-being and capacity for emotional, social and intellectual development. If these problems do not resolve with time and support from parents, teachers, or friends, professional assistance can be effective.

How we can help

Clinique PSYCHOTHERAPIA provides a comprehensive range of services tailored to assist children, adolescents, and their families in overcoming emotional obstacles that impede their growth and development.

Our clinic is dedicated to a therapeutic approach that delves into the root causes of issues, empowering children and adolescents to build a solid psychological foundation for ongoing progress. Our services are grounded in principles that acknowledge the intricate emotional lives of young individuals, offering a path to address underlying factors affecting emotional well-being.

Upon reaching out to our clinic for support, parents undergo an assessment process to identify the nature of the challenges and devise a personalized treatment plan based on this evaluation. Often, this plan involves various forms of psychotherapy, supplemented by additional interventions as needed.

Central to our therapeutic approach is the establishment of a trusting relationship with a specially trained therapist who assists young individuals in addressing the root causes of distress and equips them with psychological skills for adaptive coping strategies in the future. While younger children may communicate through play, older children and adolescents may prefer verbal expression. Our objective is to foster an environment where children can freely express themselves, leading to enhanced self-understanding and sustainable changes in emotional states and behavior.

Psychotherapy with children and adolescents is a collaborative effort involving parents or caregivers. Regular consultations are typically scheduled to review progress and address parental concerns about the child's well-being.

The clinique's services for children and their families

Assessment: Each inquiry commences with a thorough evaluation involving both parents and the child, supplemented by information from relevant sources as necessary. The primary objective is to ascertain the nature of the issue and formulate an individualized treatment plan tailored to the child's specific needs.

Psychotherapy: Our psychotherapeutic interventions are designed to address immediate crises as well as persistent emotional or behavioral challenges. Therapy sessions may occur once or twice weekly, supplemented by collaborative work with parents to ensure comprehensive support.

Psychoanalysis: As the most intensive form of psychotherapy, psychoanalysis is uniquely suited to address underlying conflicts rooted in past experiences that hinder present functioning. Sessions are typically scheduled four or five times weekly, with ongoing consultation involving parents.

Developmental Guidance: In certain cases, the most effective approach may involve direct work with parents, and possibly the child, to identify parenting strategies that align with the child's needs.

Referral: If a child's needs extend beyond the scope of our center, appropriate referrals will be made to external resources, with a commitment to finding the most suitable support.

Consultation: Our clinic's therapists possess expertise in the emotional development and mental health requirements of children, adolescents, and families. They offer educational resources and consultations to parents, community groups, and mental health professionals alike.

Clinique Psychotherapia provides a comprehensive array of psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Our evaluations are meticulously crafted to furnish insights into prevailing psychological concerns and any discernible behavioral issues, pinpoint areas of vulnerability and resilience, and furnish actionable recommendations to address identified challenges and foster overall well-being. These assessments are tailored to address specific referral queries and the unique needs of clients and/or referring entities.

Types of assessments offered include:

• Diagnostic assessments.
• Employment-related assessments (assessing suitability, readiness to return to work, threat/risk assessment).
• Psychological injury evaluations.
• Parenting capacity assessments.
• Child custody and access evaluations.

Each assessment is meticulously designed to provide comprehensive insights and practical recommendations tailored to the specific needs of our clients and the concerns outlined in the referral queries.

At Clinique Psychotherapia, our foundational belief centers on the inherent worth and significance of every individual. Even those who engage in harmful or criminal behavior are valued members of our community who deserve encouragement and support to reintegrate into society in a responsible and safe manner. We firmly hold that people possess the capacity for change, which can be facilitated through a therapeutic approach that combines accountability, setting appropriate boundaries, and goal-oriented guidance with compassionate support and genuine care.

Our treatment philosophy is rooted in a psychodynamic orientation, supplemented by a holistic model of intervention that addresses the emotional, experiential, behavioral, cognitive, and spiritual dimensions of our clients' lives. Moreover, our therapeutic approach is sensitive to the broader context and diverse needs encompassing an individual's life. Rather than isolating and focusing solely on an individual's problematic behaviors, we consider these behaviors within the framework of their personal history, family dynamics, life circumstances, and the underlying needs they have sought to fulfill through destructive and ineffective means. By understanding the multidimensionality of our clients' lives, we can provide more comprehensive and effective support to facilitate positive change and growth.

Assessment

Clinique Psychotherapia provides a comprehensive array of psychological evaluations tailored for children, adolescents, and adults, addressing behaviors of concern such as problematic sexual behavior, aggression and violence, and antisocial conduct. Our assessments are meticulously crafted to furnish insights into the identified problematic behaviors, discern areas of vulnerability and resilience, and offer actionable recommendations for managing these behaviors effectively.

Our evaluations entail a thorough exploration of the presenting issues, elucidating contributing factors, assessing risk, and formulating strategies for risk management. We adopt a holistic approach by assessing the individual's psychological functioning across various domains, including the psychosocial environment, personality traits, psychopathological features, coping mechanisms, and barriers to healthy psychological functioning, such as trauma.

Designed to meet specific referral queries and client needs, our assessments may incorporate extensive testing to evaluate cognitive functioning or sexual interests. Collateral interviews may also be conducted to corroborate information and enhance our ability to address referral inquiries comprehensively.

Ensuring usability and practicality, our assessments offer meaningful recommendations aimed at supporting clients' well-being and facilitating case management for referral agencies. Recommendations are tailored to various stakeholders, including family members, social workers, case managers, legal professionals, correctional staff, and school personnel, taking into account the individual's strengths, limitations, psychological capacity, and psychosocial environment.

The types of assessments we offer encompass a range of areas, including risk assessment, threat assessment, evaluations of criminal responsibility and fitness to stand trial, psychological injury evaluations, and assessments of parenting capacity and child custody.

Treatment

Clinique Psychotherapia offers specialized treatment for children, adolescents, and adults grappling with problematic sexual, aggressive, and antisocial behaviors. Our treatment framework is centered on the individual, child, and family, informed by attachment theory, and integrates various therapeutic modalities including psychodynamic, cognitive, self-regulation, and solution-focused approaches.

Embracing a multisystemic therapeutic model, our range of treatment modalities encompasses:

• Individual therapy
• Play therapy
• Consultation for parents/caregivers
• Family counseling
• Behavioral consultation
• Ethnopsychological consultation

Each modality is carefully tailored to address the unique needs and circumstances of the client, fostering a collaborative environment where individuals can explore and address the underlying factors contributing to their problematic behaviors. Our goal is to support clients in developing healthier coping mechanisms, enhancing self-regulation skills, and fostering positive relationships within their family and broader social context.