Psychotherapy & Counselling (Hannover-Kleefeld)
How does Psychotherapy work?
Very often the very issues, which bring us to therapy makes it difficult to start. During the process difficult and painful feelings may be brought to the fore whilst offering insight and ultimately relief of your pain. The success of treatment depends to a large extend on the quality of the relationship we are going to build. This is partly (but not solely) facilitated through language.
What is integrative Psychotherapy?
In my work I draw on analytic as well as humanistic approaches. I am using attachment theory as well as psychodynamic and relational theory. Most importantly I will aim to be attuned to your process.
What is trauma?
Trauma is an experience, which disrupts healthy functioning in the 'here and now'.
It can be caused by a single incident - e.g. a road accident - or through repeated adverse experiences - e.g. childhood neglect. Trauma therapy offers tools to heal traumatic wounds.
Do I really want to travel from Braunschweig/ Oldenburg/ Magdeburg/ Dresden to Hannover?
As human beings we need to talk about what is happening to us. We need to share our stories and make sense of our life. If you feel more comfortable speaking English than German it is worth considering seeing a therapist who can also work in English even when English is your second or third language.
How do I begin?
The very problems that bring us to therapy can make it equally difficult to seek help. It can be very hard to trust another human being to be willing to treat you with respect and compassion. I can only encourage you to take the first step.
How do I end therapy?
You are of course free to leave therapy at any time. Sometimes an ending is agreed from the outset of treatment but if not, it is good practise to agree on an ending and to work towards that ending together.
What is spirituality?
As human beings we need to find meaning in what happens to us. As someone with a religious background I am open to explore existential as well as spiritual and religious questions. In doing so I will support you to find your own path in life and will strive to be respectful of your choices.
The body in psychotherapy
Effective treatment will also be attentive to what is happing on a bodily level. We cannot separate our physical from our mental experiences. Traumatic experiences, in particular, affect our physical and as well as our mental well being. Psychological stress can make us physically ill and serious physical illness may affect our mental well being. The two are interrelated. Whilst it is essential always to seek out medical treatment for physical illness psychotherapy can help to look at underlying causes (if they exist). Counselling may also help you to live life with an illness.
Human imperfection
A lot of suffering is caused by thriving for perfection but attaining perfection is humanly impossible. The therapeutic session is where we can learn to live with our imperfections.
Is it all about the unconscious?
Famously psychoanalysis began with the idea of the unconscious. Our feelings and actions are directed by beliefs we are not even aware of. In the therapeutic relationship you will become aware of some these unconscious beliefs, assess whether they are still valid and gain greater freedom.
What is rumination?
Being able to reflect on our actions is partly what makes us uniquely human but ruminating - becoming excessively preoccuied - is unhealthy and can make us feel bad about ourselves. Counselling can help to disrupt unhelpful thought processes.
