Many people encounter a point in life in which they feel dissatisfied, frustrated or overwhelmed. One may feel hopeless, uncertain of how to move forward, find oneself quarrelling more often than usual, or otherwise feel hindered from living what one considers a meaningful and fulfilling life. Such a process may begin gradually, without an identifiable trigger. In these cases, exploration of specific (un)fulfilled psychological needs and (inter)action patterns can help uncover underlying frustrations, cognitions and behaviors that have been learned implicitly over time and are now causing difficulty. Other times, these situations arise acutely as a response to a life change or another clearly identifiable situation. Here, it is useful to take a step back and evaluate the entire scope of change, as these often have carry-over effects in unexpected domains. In both cases, it can be helpful to seek support in the form of a neutral, external perspective with psychological expertise, to help reveal connections that may not yet be apparent and to work together on concrete approaches and strategies that can support you in your current situation. Finally, it is sometimes immensely helpful simply to be understood in the complexity of pressures, expectations, wishes, and life circumstances (physical, social, and psychological) one is juggling.
For whom is psychological support and counseling helpful?
Psychological support and counseling are helpful for those who having trouble with one or more themes in their life which they would like to work on. This can be the case even if one is not exactly sure “what is wrong”. This means, sometimes one recognizes ongoing dissatisfied or recurring problems or frustration, without being sure where these are coming from. Others identify a very specific trigger situation or defined set of circumstances which they would like to focus on. In both situations it can be helpful to receive a psychological perspective on the situation. Some relationships among events, needs, development, interpretations and behavior may not seem initially intuitive, yet become applicable in the course of counseling to one’s own situation. The goal is typically to develop helpful inner models (i.e., a deeper understanding for relationships among situations, interpretations, emotions and actions in oneself and others) that allow more calmness, consideration and control when chosing (re)action options in difficult situations.
What is the difference to psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy, the focus is on psychological diagnoses and their targeted treatment. In psychological counseling, such psychological (and physical) conditions, when applicable, are seen in the different ways they influence your life. This can be more or less, depending on your current life situation, and thereby can make certain areas of life challenging, stressful, unsatisfying or even impossible to handle. The support you receive is tailored to the issues you are currently facing and where you need guidance. Our main focus is not on treating specific diagnoses, but on helping you navigate and manage the challenges in your life.
Which topics can be worked on?
In principle, any. Many topics focus on areas of life that leave us feeling unhappy or dissatisfied. These can include conflicts in relationships, such as with parents, children, partners, siblings, friends, or colleagues, life changes that involve difficult decisions or hesitations about taking important steps, low self-esteem, insecurities and anxieties, motivational challenges, staying true to oneself when faced with a myriad of elements to be balanced, or coping with pressure from within or from the outside. Other areas of concern may involve difficulties managing emotions, challenges at school, setting priorities and making progress under stress, or dealing with grief. Grief here is not limited to the loss of loved ones, but can also include the loss of former life circumstances or abilities, for example following a move, an accident, or an illness.
When is psychological support and counseling not primarily sufficient?
When a suspected or disagnosed psychological disorder is the main concern (e.g., depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorder), the specific treatment of these conditions is done in the field of psychotherapy and/or psychopharmacological treatment, rather than psychological counseling. If I recognize you are searching for or could benefit from a more thorough diagnostic assessment and psychotherapeutic treatment, I will bring this to your attention. If wished, I can support you in searching for a psychotherapist. In either case, we can continue working together, also while additional psychotherapeutic or psychopharmacological treatment is ongoing.