psychologist MERIDA | contact, faqs & Practical information
Contact the psychotherapist
Online consultation
Online consultations can be requested by video call or phone, depending on the circumstances.
Send a message via WhatsApp to request an appointment, specifying your day and time preferences.
Phone or SMS
Send a text message or call to request an appointment, specifying your preferences.
Consultation in Merida
In-person consultations at the Merida practice must be booked in advance by phone or sms.
Consultation at the merida practice
Sessions can be conducted in English or French.
You can book an appointment with the psychotherapist by phone, sms, WhatsApp or eMail, leaving your name and phone number.
Practical information
- Sessions generally last an hour, but can vary in length.
- The frequency of sessions will be defined with you according to your needs at the first appointment.
- Online consultations can be carried out by videoconference depending on the circumstances.
Cancellation policy:
Please notify 48 hours before the appointment for any cancellations.
FAQS
What are the differences between a psychiatrist, a psychologist and a psychoanalyst?
- Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders by medical means. They can prescribe medication. Some are also trained in psychoanalysis, but few practice psychotherapy.
- Psychologists have university training in psychology, which may be oriented towards mental health or other fields such as social, cognitive, developmental, etc. Some are trained in psychoanalysis or psychotherapy, but this is not systematic.
- Psychoanalysts explore the unconscious using language-based methods (symptoms, dreams, repetitions, etc.). Their training is supervised by the International Association of Psychoanalysis, and includes theoretical studies, clinical experience and their own analysis.
- Psychotherapists are most frequently clinical psychologists with specific training skill in various form of therapies (CBT, Counseling, Gottman couples Therapy, Psychodynamic etc...)
How long are the sessions?
The duration of each session is usually 60 minutes, but it can vary, giving the therapist the opportunity to give importance to subjective time, to end the session on an essential and revealing formulation, or on the contrary to let a narrative thread come to an end that it would be a pity or too painful to leave hanging until the next session.
How does the first consultation work?
The first session is dedicated to getting to know you and your issues, setting goals, determining the best way to support you, and choosing the type of therapy best suited to your clinical diagnosis, which may require several sessions.A therapeutic follow-up is above all a human encounter, so it's important to feel comfortable and confident with your therapist.
Do I need to install an application for online consultations?
No, you don't need to install or configure anything on your computer or cell phone. Once you've booked your appointment online, you'll receive an invitation at the e-mail address you've specified, with a link to the dedicated Doxy.me platform where your online consultation will take place. The psychologist will start the session at the agreed time.
What are analytic or psychodynamic therapies for?
Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy help people who feel blocked by long-standing psychological problems that are disrupting their relationships, their well-being at work and their daily lives. Based on the spoken word, this analytical therapy invites the patient to freely express whatever comes to mind, without self-censorship. The psychoanalyst listens without judgment or interruption, and intervenes at the right moment to explore what is not perceived or understood. Anxiety, inhibitions and depression often reflect unresolved inner conflicts. Difficult to identify alone, these disorders can be explored with the help of a psychoanalyst. This approach enables the patient to discover his or her inner world, soothe suffering, develop and build confidence. The benefits of this approach continue well beyond the therapy.
How long does a psychotherapy last?
Psychotherapy is based on the patient's choice, and requires a long-term commitment to understanding the origins of their suffering. Regular, often weekly, sessions are essential to guarantee the continuity and effectiveness of the process. The duration of therapy varies according to the objectives, the initial problem and the patient's resistance. Analysis ends when the patient has overcome his or her symptoms, anxieties and blockages, and the analyst feels that the work accomplished meets the criteria laid down by Freud. The end of the process is decided collaboratively by patient and therapist.
What are the differences between CBT and Psychodynamic therapy?
Therapeutic approaches differ in their origins, their vision of human nature, the role of psychotherapy and the techniques employed.Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) aim to correct dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors by unlearning erroneous patterns. They focus on troublesome symptoms, such as panic attacks, by proposing practical exercises such as repeated exposure to anxiety-provoking situations. These therapies are effective in reducing symptoms and are an alternative to medication, but they do not treat the root causes. The analytical approach is more introspective and has longer-lasting effects.
What does the law say about confidentiality?
Professional secrecy is a fundamental obligation for psychotherapists, but there are certain exceptional situations in which a psychologist may be compelled or authorized to disclose information about a patient. Confidentiality therefore remains the rule, but these exceptions are designed to protect people in situations of danger. Here are the main situations:
- Immediate danger or serious threat:If the psychotherapist believes that his or her patient or a third party is in mortal danger or at risk of serious harm (for example: risk of suicide, serious violence, child abuse), he or she can partially lift secrecy to warn the competent authorities (police, justice, social services).
- Maltreatment of a minor or vulnerable person: If a psychotherapist becomes aware of acts of maltreatment or deprivation endangering a minor or vulnerable person, he or she is obliged to inform the authorities (public prosecutor, cell for the collection of worrying information).
- Judicial requisition: As part of an investigation or trial, a judge may order the psychotherapist to provide certain information relating to a patient. The psychotherapist must then respond to the requisition, taking care to disclose only the information strictly necessary.
- Patient consent: The psychotherapist may share information if the patient gives explicit, informed consent. For example, when a patient agrees to information being passed on to another healthcare professional to ensure continuity of care.
- Defending the psychotherapist in court: If the psychotherapist is accused by his patient (through a complaint or dispute), he may be required to reveal certain information in his own defense, but within strict limits.
- Principles of proportionality and necessity: In all cases where the lifting of secrecy is envisaged, the psychotherapist must limit disclosure to only necessary and relevant information, respecting the balance between patient protection and legal obligations.