Like other types of psychotherapy, a feminist approach is a place to work on the challenges and hardships a woman experiences. This is where support, empathy and a good advice are provided. Yet, unlike other types of psychotherapy, the story of the client is not limited to her own private narrative, but instead is understood in the broader context. In this ideologically feminist approach, women’s experiences are distinctly different from those of men. Recognizing that we live in a male-dominated society allows for new and significant insights in therapy.

Feminist therapy provides women with the courage to find their authentic voice, to articulate it, and to be empowered by the ensuing positive effects on their emotional experience.

Both therapist and client, both women, share a similar experience, which leads to a closer and more egalitarian working alliance between them.

I offer this approach as a part of a broader spectrum of integrative approaches to psychotherapy.

When we think of the classical form of psychotherapy, the first thing that comes to mind often would be psychodynamic therapy. Sigmund Freud, the father of modern psychology, developed this psychotherapeutic approach to help individuals gain insight into their life and mental experiences.

With the assistance of questions and guidance of the therapist, the client focuses on his or her inner world. By exploring the unconscious parts of our mind, and gaining insight into the psychological conflicts we deal with, we learn to understand our undesired behavioral patterns and increase our liberty and freedom to change them and thus take new paths in life. One of the key principles of psychodynamic therapy is the notion that the relationship between therapist and client is a microcosm of the client’s interpersonal relations in real life. Analyzing the interaction in therapy facilitates better insight and the ability to better handle interpersonal relations generally.

This type of therapy often takes longer due to the deep psychological processes it involves. Yet, when its goal is well-defined in advance, this may also be a short term therapy.

Psychodynamic therapy is offered as a part of integrative therapy that combines various other techniques.

Schema-Focused Cognitive Therapy is an integrative approach to treatment that combines the best aspects of cognitive-behavioral, experiential, interpersonal and psychoanalytic therapies into one unified model. Schema-Focused Therapy has shown remarkable results in helping people to change negative (“maladaptive”) patterns which they have lived with for a long time, even when other methods and efforts they have tried before have been largely unsuccessful.

Mindfulness is a state of mind that can be practiced through meditation. It allows us to regulate our emotions and thinking patterns more efficiently. Mindfulness leads to a balanced sense of relaxation and control.

Practicing mindfulness will allow us to focus our attention on the present time and deal with the world around us with equanimity taking a position that is less judgmental.

Observing the present time teaches us that our thoughts and feelings are transient as much as every physical sensation we experience. They do not represent an objective reality. Much of the distress experience by people is related to how we feel attached to a certain thought or emotion, is if they were the only true unchanging reality.
Those who practice mindfulness report more satisfaction with life, more joy and happiness, and a sense that they react to reality with less impulsivity and with less negative feelings. Their ability to concentrate and their overall satisfaction with their interpersonal relations improves.

Mindfulness is based on Buddhist principles but is anchored in modern approaches of cognitive therapy and neuroscience. Scientific studies indicate unequivocally that practicing mindfulness leads to a significant improvement in people’s wellbeing.
We will combine practicing mindfulness in the clinic with instructions for how to practice at home and with various websites on the Internet and on smartphone apps.

The globalized age in which we live and its technological advancements allow us to rise beyond the constraints of our immediate surroundings. Many of us keep close professional and personal ties with those who live thousands of miles away from us.

In therapy, like in life more generally, a host of new options are now available for those who wish to find a therapist that would be most appropriate for them and their needs.

Skype therapy means that this therapist does not have to live in the same country as you, or even on the same continent.
Is it possible at all to form a meaningful therapeutic bond online? Despite the physical distance between therapist and client, research has shown that patients feel very close with their online therapists. They sense the therapist’s empathy and understanding at least as much as those who meet their therapist face to face. Some even report a greater sense of comfort and relaxation in Skype sessions as opposed to standard sessions in the clinic.

So when is it a good idea to seek Skype therapy?
More people than ever in the history of humankind live away from their homeland. When they seek therapy, they look for a person who shares the same mother tongue and cultural background. This will allow them to relate more easily and expose their feelings and needs. Skype therapy answers those needs, the physical location of the therapist notwithstanding.
In the past, if the therapist or patient moved, the therapeutic process ended. There was really no other option.

Nowadays, the therapeutic process is not dependent on the physical location of either one. With a range of technologies such as FaceTime, Skype or Google Event, the therapist and patient can hear and see each other and continue working on improving the client’s wellbeing rather than stop the process prematurely.

Online therapy could also be used intermittently. In a reality where many of us travel frequently for work, it is possible to maintain the continuity of the therapeutic process online. Those who travel often may want to consider a therapist adapt at working online so as to keep the continuity of their therapeutic process.
Last but not least, those who are physically or mentally limited in their mobility may find online therapy not only more accessible but also particularly rewarding. This can be done without adding challenges to an already challenging life situation.

For some of use the technological aspects involved make all of this seem beyond our abilities. Yet, software that allows online visual and auditory communication is very easy to install on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Many if not most of the options are in fact available for free. Using earphones may also be a good idea if you are considering online therapy as this will not only improve the quality of the conversation but will also protect your privacy, especially if you do not live alone. I’d be happy to instruct you on how to prepare your computer and install the software for online therapy, especially if you are not familiar with this technology or feel uncomfortable with it.