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Psychotherapy and Psychological Solutions with Deborah Kraal

About Psychotherapy

" Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul just be another human soul " - Carl Jung

In my 25 years of working as a psychologist and psychotherapist, I have gained a lot of experience in treating trauma, PTSD (with concomitant emotional abuse), substance abuse, eating disorders, self defeating behaviors and various anxiety disorders (panic attacks, OCD, social anxiety and various phobias), depression and more. Symptoms of psychopathology can be experienced as obstacles that block you in your life's journey. In therapy, we would analyse these symptoms to understand how they have formed and what components - cognitive, emotional, and behavioural - are currently active in maintaining their influence in your life.

While it is necessary to address these symptoms, I find it useful to learn to identify and embrace the positive aspects of one's self as well, as these are often overlooked and underestimated in the healing process. These can include character strengths, creativity, personal accomplishments, and resilience, to name a few.

Transformation Process - Flower Blooming

Processes of transformation in psychotherapy

It is essential to have hope for improvement, as this enables a growth mindset. Nature abounds with examples of how one form of energy can transform into another, e.g, in photosynthesis, solar energy is transformed into chemical energy. Fortunately, processes of transformation occur in the psychological dimension as well, and tapping into these transformational processes is central in psychotherapeutic work. These transformational processes may need to be activated by our conscious engagement with them in order to bring about the desired outcomes. Here are some examples of transformational processes in the psychotherapeutic context:
  • Irrational fears and emotional avoidance transform into courage and a sense of competence. This is the aim of the exposure-based therapies of CBT. This applies to the various treatments for anxiety disorders as well as for PTSD and trauma-based disorders.
  • Helplessness shifts towards empowerment (by gradual behavioural shifts, etc)
  • Anger to motivation for action (cognitive reframing and behavioural shifts, etc)
  • Loneliness to connection (social transformation)
  • Crippling guilt to release and self-forgiveness, (emotional processing, reframing)
  • Negative self-talk into compassionate self-talk (cognitive transformation)
  • Grief to acceptance (emotional processing)

    • The collaborative process

    As a therapist, I see my role as a facilitator of transformational energy in collaboration with the client. Expect that therapy can be a challenging but not overwhelming process for you. Uncomfortable emotions and disturbing memories may arise. It is therefore necessary to pace the interventions so as not to exceed one's threshold of emotional tolerance. Most importantly, you need to feel safe with me as your therapist, and feel there is permission to explore all aspects of discomfort in a non-judgemental space.

    There are some individuals whose clinical profiles may not fulfill the criteria of a particular diagnosis but wish to do therapy for self-development. If this is the case with you, you are welcome too! It can be an enriching experience to traverse in your inner landscapes and find words to express complex feelings as you may never have done before. In either case, psychotherapy is a serious journey of interior work - perhaps the most important work you may do in your life - and I fully respect the client who invites me to share in this process.

    Wellbeing in Your Work Life

    In what ways can psychological strategies help you function more efficiently in your work life? Problems and challenges inevitably arise in the workplace, but these can be transformed into opportunities for growth rather than remain as obstacles to growth, depending on how we address these. I offer psychological strategies aimed at transforming obstacles to opportunities for growth at the individual level.

    Improving leadership skills is an on-going process with huge rewards for both leaders as well as employees. Everyone should strive to work on improving themselves, because failure to do so will negatively impact the psychological health of others we interact with everyday. And this in turn effects the workplace environment. From a psychological perspective, it is your beliefs, assumptions and self-talk that are running the show, most often subconsciously, and that is what makes them so powerful. So when you are able to locate, identify and understand how these processes are operating in your life, you can better take charge of yourself and redirect your life to where you really want to go. A deeper understanding of human nature, interpersonal interactions and people skills can contribute towards conflict resolution, better communication and a generally happier environment for yourself and others. I offer an innovative approach which combines neuroscience and research with cognitive and behavioral strategies bring about more effective interactions. This approach differs somewhat from conventional forms of psychotherapy but is nevertheless a deep and challenging work with far-reaching rewards. Contact me for a consultation and how I may be of help to you.

    That being said, there remains more ground to cover before committing to therapy, so I suggest you contact me in the following ways to discuss further. Therapy is also available in Swedish. You can meet me online or in person in Stockholm.

    Get In Touch

    Address

    Tryckerigatan 8, 11128 Stockholm (Riddarholmen)

    Phone

    0702 697177

    Email

    info@deborahkraal.se