The point of departure in my work is to gain an understanding of the problems areas and symptoms you are currently experiencing. A comprehensive psychological diagnosis may help to classify the symptoms and clarify the type and extent of the existing disorder(s). It is important to me to understand exactly how a problem or disorder was first triggered and which factors are responsible for their perpetuation. I think it is important to listen carefully and to look closely in order to understand you as an individual within the context of your personal learning and life experiences.
Taking into account your personal experiences and your goals as well as what initially triggered and is now responsible for the persistence of your problems, an individual strategy will be designed that takes into account your current needs as well as your very own strengths and resources. Depending on your focus, the therapy / coaching should help you to learn new behavioural patterns, to change cognitions or to learn how to deal with them better, to have more control over your emotions and to encourage you to make new experiences, to overcome problems and to achieve your personal goals.
A good working relationship in which you can open up and we can trust each other and you feel that you are in good hands is crucial for success. In an initial meeting we can find out together whether we can establish a good working relationship and you can get a first impression of me and how I work.
I work with well-established methods the effectiveness of which have been scientifically proven. A scientific basis and lifelong learning is very important to me. That’s why I regularly take part in advanced training courses, exchange ideas with colleagues, read current technical literature and regularly sit with my supervisor. In this way I try to keep up to date with the latest research, to constantly expand my competences and to ensure the quality of my work.
I mainly use methods from behavioural therapy (e.g. Schema Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, exposure to anxieties and constraints, training of social skills, metacognitive approaches, EMDR etc.), but I also integrate approaches from other directions into my work, such as systemic therapy/coaching, which always views stressful symptoms and behavior patterns in the overall context of a complex system of relationships. I consider this integrative therapeutic procedure, in which depending on the indication, I draw on different treatment strategies, to be a valuable addition.
In my work I value appreciation, respect for the personal life story of my client and an open, trusting approach as well as transparency in the therapeutic process. My personal approach is characterized by a resource- and solution-oriented attitude. It is important for me to be a tangible and authentic counterpart to you and also to lighten up the sessions with humour. I see myself as a companion and support on your journey towards your goals and towards more meaningfulness, inner satisfaction and more quality of life.
Dipl.-Psych. Leander V. Dehm · Hohenzollernring 49 · 50672 Köln