Dr Loumidis offers counselling, psychological therapy, or sometimes elements of both, to suit a person's individual needs. The terms counselling and psychological therapy are often used interchangeably to describe talking therapies, but there are some key differences in theory and practice. Counselling may be more suitable for people with non-clinical conditions, whilst psychological therapy is recommended for people with clinical conditions. 

Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy for people who do not have mental disorders but may have distressing emotional problems due to specific life stresses, losses, bereavement, difficult dilemmas, crises in their lives, relationship problems, or may wish to develop better ways of living.  There is an emphasis on mental health promotion rather than treating disorders. Counselling focuses on the individual's resources, rather than psychopathology, with a focus on a reflective, experiential process.  In counselling the individual's concerns are rephrased and clarified in order that he or she may develop a greater sense of wellbeing and cope with life difficulties differently.

Non-clinical areas more suitable for counselling include

• Coping with exam stress and academic pressures
• Time management and procrastination
• Stress of caring for children or relatives with disabilities
• Marriage and relationship counselling
• Lifestyle coaching
• Coping with life transitions
• Dealing with separation, divorce or relationship problems
  
• Coping with difficulties in the workplace
• Adjusting to physical illness or disability
• Managing discord with extended family members
• Coping with life difficulties and dilemmas
• Improving performance and growth
• Exploring new directions in life
• Improving communication skills
• Career and lifestyle planning
• Enhancing interpersonal and social skills
• Developing assertiveness 
• Individually tailored agendas
  

Psychological therapies
Psychological therapies (or psychotherapies) are also talking therapies, recommended for the treatment of people with (a) mental disorders (such as depression, PTSD, clinical anxiety, eating disorder etc.), (b) behavioural disturbances (such as self-injury, aggression, impulsivity, substance misuse, etc), (c) impairments in social, interpersonal, personality, occupational other important areas of functioning, or (d) causing clinically significant distress. People tend to expect advice and guidance on how to change. In therapy, through the application of psychological theories and therapeutic techniques, people are helped to increase insight and understanding, alter maladaptive patterns of coping, relieve emotional disturbance, develop personality growth and learn ways to reduce the likelihood of relapse.  Dr Loumidis often combines elements from a range of psychological therapies, tailored to the individual's circumstances and needs.

Clinical conditions more suitable for psychological therapy include
  Addictions (drugs, alcohol, gambling)
  Anger, irritability and aggression
  Anxiety (all types, mild to severe)
  Behavioural problems in children
  Body image problems
  Compulsive and impulsive behaviours
  Depression (mild to severe)
  Eating disorders, bulimia, anorexia
  Jealousy
  Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  Panic disorder & agoraphobia
  Phobias (all types)
  Psychosomatic problems
  Sexual and marital problems
 Stress reactions (including PTSD)
 More conditions suitable for therapies

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