What is the psychological session?

The process of psychological counseling is a psychological intervention for the purpose of optimization, self-knowledge and personal development and / or for the purpose of preventing and remitting emotional, cognitive and behavioral problems. Through the process of psychological counseling we aim to develop strategies, skills, competences for better integration and social functioning, develop decision-making skills and solve problems to deal with the difficulties we face in everyday life.

Step 1: start phase (includes about 2 sessions)

  • Establishing the therapeutic relationship, the trusting relationship, so that the person seeking therapy has the flexibility, comfort and openness necessary to succeed in exposing their problems without restraint and discomfort;
  • Presentation of cognitive-behavioral therapy;
  • Establishing expectations from the counseling process;
  • Identification and realization of the list of problems the client faces.

Stage 2: intermediate phase (includes a minimum of 5 sessions)

In turn, the problems identified in the first session are addressed using the cognitive-behavioral model. The efforts of the therapeutic act are based on consolidating beliefs, rational thoughts and deactivating irrational beliefs / thoughts, promoting unconditional self-acceptance, choosing and developing socially adaptable behaviors, understanding the difference between positive / negative functional and positive / negative dysfunctional emotions and understanding of connection: thoughts - emotion - behavior through the prism of the behavioral cognitive ABC model.

Stage 3: final phase (includes approximately 3 sessions)

Preparing the client to become his own advisor; developing techniques for early recognition of possible problems; preventing relapses.

Note: The length of the counseling process (the number of sessions required in the intermediate phase) depends on the severity of the problems and their number, but also on the client's motivation, to be actively involved in the therapeutical act. Some problems can be solved through a short-term psychotherapy program. But some chronic or more complex issues require a deeper approach, which also involves a long-term commitment in order to achieve improvement.

training brain

What can you do to maximize the results of psychological therapy?

  • Make it clear what you want to gain from yourself and this therapeutic process.
  • Make a special agenda (with notes), in which you write down the things you would like to remind, during and after you finish the psychological sessions.
  • Become an active participant and try to transfer in your daily life the things that you have learned in the psychological session.
  • Express your concerns, fears, thoughts in relation to the psychologist.
  • Focus on what is most important for you to change.
  • Be understanding and patient with yourself, for real changes do not come overnight.