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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