Mental health problems are very widespread in the general population. One in three people are affected at least once in their lives. There are many reasons why we are susceptible to mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety disorders. Factors such as heredity, the lasting influence of negative childhood experiences on our psyche and development, the persistence of acquired maladaptive coping strategies, dysfunctional lifestyles, physical problems and, last but not least, social and environmental factors such as stressful workplaces, social pressure and the impact of critical life events and crises all play a role.
The good news is that psychology, in conjunction with neuroscience, is now well able to explain our behavior and experience and derive interventions that allow those affected to work specifically on those aspects of themselves that promise them lasting change in a desired direction. Often it is concrete goals such as improving self-assertion, increasing self-esteem, more impulse control, more consistent self-care or generally the desire for a healthier approach to relationships and feelings that are formulated as change goals in therapy.
What is my treatment approach and why is it helpful?
As a behavioral therapist, I work with you in an integrative and solution-oriented way. Sometimes it is enough to work on the level of coping strategies. For example, learning to regulate feelings better or to set boundaries or relax more effectively. Working on problematic beliefs can also help you to deal with problems more confidently and calmly. Sometimes it can be useful to use techniques such as EMDR or hypnotherapy to first confront difficult feelings or work on trauma before a change can be achieved at the behavioral level. The specific procedure will be agreed with you in detail and must make sense for you at every stage of the process.
If you would like to familiarize yourself with my treatment approach in more detail, you will find below some interesting facts about the cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy of the so-called third wave, which characterizes my work with you:
Third-wave behavioral therapy concepts are considered an evolution of traditional behavioral therapy and have proven useful in psychotherapy for several reasons:
Emphasis on the present moment: third-wave behavior therapy concepts focus on the present moment and the person’s current context, not just past experiences. This allows for greater flexibility and adaptability in dealing with current problems.
Acceptance and mindfulness: We talk about and try out acceptance and mindfulness strategies that can help you manage difficult thoughts, feelings and experiences in a non-judgmental way and distinguish between the things you want to accept because they are “the way they are” and what you can change because it is possible and makes sense.
Focusing on the function of the behavior: We focus on understanding the function or purpose of your behavior and not just the behavior itself. This allows for a more holistic understanding of the implicit motives of behavior and can help you to better understand your patterns and formulate meaningful development goals based on your values.
Use of a wide range of therapeutic tools: Third wave behavior therapy uses a wide range of therapeutic tools, including cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and schema therapy. This enables me to offer you a more comprehensive and tailored approach that aims to do justice to your complexity as a “bio-psycho-social being”.
Role of language and verbal behavior: Third-wave behavior therapy concepts emphasize the role of language and verbal behavior in the emergence of thoughts, feelings, and actions. Accordingly, techniques were developed to help you understand certain limiting or “tyrannical” thoughts (e.g., “you’re not good enough”; “it’s going to be terrible”, etc.) as products of your brain that are caused by negative experiences, but do not necessarily prevent you from acting according to your values because you can recognize them as inappropriate and let them go.
Culture and context: The concepts of third wave behavior therapy also include a special understanding of the role of culture and context in shaping thoughts, feelings and actions. Understanding your own cultural imprint and being mindful of situational factors that influence your behavior and experience provides you with multiple perspectives that reveal new solutions and allow for greater freedom from bias.