Understand · Choose · Move forward
How do you choose the right therapy?
Start with what you need: relief from a specific difficulty, an understanding of recurring patterns or a different way of responding to situations.
Clarify your expectations
Do you want to manage anxiety, understand relationships, regain motivation or work through a painful experience? Your goals may evolve. Discussing them with a therapist helps establish a direction and recognise meaningful change.
Understand the main approaches
Cognitive and behavioural approaches explore links between thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Psychodynamic approaches examine personal history and relationship patterns. Systemic approaches consider interactions and context. The choice depends on the difficulty, available evidence and your preferences.
Choose a working relationship too
You should be able to ask questions, disagree and understand the proposed framework. The therapist’s training, experience with your concerns and quality of communication matter. An initial meeting is a chance to discuss goals, frequency and how progress will be reviewed.
When assessment can help
If several explanations overlap or a persistent sense of difference remains unexplained, assessment can clarify needs. Emotional and personality assessment explores emotional strengths, personality and diagnostic possibilities. Cognitive assessment can complement it. This understanding informs guidance without making assessment a prerequisite for all therapy.
Coordinate different forms of support
Depending on the situation, psychotherapy may work alongside medical care or other interventions. Coaching and well-being activities serve different purposes and do not replace treatment when it is needed. Understanding the role of each form of support helps make them complementary.
Review progress regularly
Useful therapy also makes room to discuss what is not working. You can talk about progress, obstacles or changing goals. An assessment at this practice can help clarify your functioning and possible next steps; requesting ongoing therapy is a separate matter.
Which assessment would help?
A first exchange can clarify your questions and identify the most relevant assessment. For a child, we consider their experience alongside the family’s concerns.