Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis in Montpellier for adults, couples, teenagers and children

Gorana Arnaud

Psychotherapist / Psychoanalyst

Psychotherapy and psychoanalysis in Montpellier for adults, couples, teenagers and children

Integrative psychotherapy

Everyone being unique, every problem needed a slightly different approach.

I practice what is called “integrative psychotherapy” using a range of therapeutic techniques carefully adapted to each patient.

Psychotherapy

During a psychotherapy session, the patient and the therapist are seated in armchairs across one another. Psychotherapy enables us to quickly resolve an issue or a « symptom »; for example: a painful breakup, family stress, difficulties at work, anxiety, etc.


A session lasts an hour. I never impose a rhythm as to the sessions, everyone comes when they can, according to their schedule and/or finances. What often tends to happen is that we meet once a week at first, and as soon as there is an improvement we schedule to meet once a fortnight. Once the « issue » is solved, the patient takes a long break and may contact me a few months later (for example) should an old fear come up or simply for reassurance. If I don’t hear anything, I assume everything is ok.


 The following are concrete examples of complaints patients bring to therapy. «  I had a very difficult childhood. Even though today my life is emotionally stable and secure, I am often plagued by painful memories, I often doubt whether I really am ok…I would so much like to have more peace, more joy in my life.  »  «  I am in a very unsatisfying relationship, but I cannot bring myself to leave, I don’t know if I want to.  » «  I think I am prone to some kind of severe anxiety or panic, and I’m afraid and ashamed that those around me might find out. » «  I suffer from digestive complaints, migraines, back-ache… My doctor suggested I go and see a therapist.  »



 The issues that bring someone to therapy are very varied, however there is often an underlying anxiety or an anxious disposition. So, even though the symptoms may be similar, the underlying causes are always very different from one person to another. Thus the necessity to literally « invent » a new therapy for each patient; this is where « integrative psychotherapy » comes in. 

Psychoanalysis

After a couple of sessions, it sometimes becomes clear that the root of the issue goes much deeper than expected, and I may suggest that we start an analysis. A psychoanalysis session very often takes place on the couch. However, if the patient is afraid of or doesn’t feel at ease on the couch, we simply continue with a « psychoanalytical psychotherapy » in armchairs facing one another.


 Adult psychoanalysis is really a very deep therapy, that goes to the inner core of our struggles. If psychotherapy allows us to quickly get rid of the symptoms that make us suffer, psychoanalysis allows us to go directly to the source of the problem and to radically pull the roots out once and for all. Psychoanalysis is a long tradition that has perdured precisely because of its effectiveness.


 It sometimes happens that a patient comes to see me precisely because they wish to start an analysis. Their complaint may be quite precise or more vague, more existential. For example: «  Everyone is always telling me how lucky In am. I have a loving wife, a great child, I like my work, I am materially secure. But I feel an emptiness in my life, some kind of dark cloud which is always there, I’m not happy. I dream of leaving, but I don’t know where I would go, I feel angry at myself and perpetually frustrated.  » Or: «  I seem to always end up with the same type of partner. In the beginning, everything seems wonderful, and after six months or so, it’s sheer hell. I would like to get out of this vicious cycle…  »



 Psychoanalysis allows to drastically change how we see ourselves, our surroundings, how we look at the world. At the end of a successful analysis, we become free. We gain freedom over our choices and freedom over the direction that our life will take. The transformation of the patient is always wonderful to observe. There is a subtle difference in dress, in the way of walking, smiling, the whole face somehow seems to light up and often one appears years younger.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis as I practice it is a brief therapy, usually lasting no more than five or six sessions. The first session is always « talking only », where we evaluate the patient’s goals and objectives and together decide on whether hypnotherapy is indeed appropriate or not. The following sessions take place on the couch; the patient lying down and the therapist seated very close beside him.


 I received my hypnosis training in the USA, (please see my CV) and my specialization was medical hypnosis. This means hypnosis for all medical and/or psychosomatic concerns, i.e. as a complementary treatment for all punctual or chronic medical conditions.


 It is important to note however that hypnosis is by no means a magical cure that allows us to « heal ». Yet, in a large number of medical conditions there is a very important psychological component, and so in taking care of this psychological factor the somatic side becomes hugely relieved of stress. This means that in certain cases the medical complaint may recede and even disappear altogether.


 Here are a few examples of the conditions I treated over the years: psoriasis, eczema, allergies, asthma, difficulties getting pregnant, risk of miscarriage, arthritis, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pain, etc…



 Hypnosis as I practice it is very « soft » and « maternal ». This is in direct opposition to the very authoritarian or « paternalistic » style of hypnosis where the patient must surrender all control during the session. For me, hypnosis takes us to a state of extreme relaxation, and it is this « trance » that allows us to direct all our unconscious attention to the very centre of what ails us, in order to untangle and appease it without tension and without anxiety.

Other therapeutic tools

The various therapeutic techniques I use are the following:

 

  • "Mindfulness": a precious aid in healing any complaint related to anxiety.
  • Eye movement therapy (EMDR): used in the treatment of certain “traumatic” experiences.
  • Schema therapy: a cognitive therapy designed specifically for the treatment of borderline personality disorder and/or bipolar disorder. I also use this approach when treating any eating disorder.
  • Gestalt: this approach is excellent when working with children; it closely resembles art-therapy and involves techniques borrowed from theatre, games and toys.
  • Logotherapy: a precious tool when dealing with recurring clinical depression.

 

My in-session approach is very active and implicated; I will first help you reach your goals, and then I will teach you how the mind and psyche function, so you can become your own therapist, and live a serene and joyful life.

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