The other day, someone I know told me she “didn’t believe in psychologists”. And I said, well, actually, neither do I. She looked at me in surprise, so I explained:
The person comes first. Then comes the profession.
That’s why you can find doctors, plumbers, hairdressers, lawyers… who are wonderful people. Or complete bastards.
The profession doesn’t matter. How someone practises it always comes down to the person doing it. And that will vary depending on what kind of person they are.
Get the newsletter
Three times a week, I send psychological insights worth knowing, explain what they mean for your life, and show you how to use them. Deep psychology, in plain English.
So it’s not that a particular profession is awful. It’s that a particular person practising that profession was awful.
And yes, I’ve also met some truly appalling psychologists, but thankfully, I’ve also met psychologists who are wonderful people and who try to do the best work they possibly can.
So, I told her, look closely at what the person is like and make your decision based on that.
And for exactly that reason, I don’t make my consultations publicly available. I prefer people to join the email list and, by reading the newsletters, gradually get to know me and the way I work, and over time form their own judgement about what kind of person I am.
Because the kind of person someone is will show in the way they work.
And in case there are any specific questions about the Psychological Consultation, I’ll answer them here. Pay attention to question 3. The answer will tell you exactly whether I’m the perfect therapist for you.
Let’s see:
What exactly is a Psychological Consultation?
It’s a one-off session with me.
60 minutes, online. In English or Spanish, your choice.
You bring me whatever is going on in your life that’s making you miserable, and we take a proper, in-depth look at it.
I’m very direct and I don’t beat around the bush. If I spot problems or inconsistencies, I’m going to tell you so you can either gain clarity and/or stop wasting your time. I also adapt to the person in front of me, so I’ll take things slowly when that’s what’s needed, dial things back, and speak gently if that’s more your style.
You can bring whatever you want to the session. Here are a few of the most common things people bring:
A decision you can’t make. A relationship you keep going round in circles about. Something you keep doing despite knowing perfectly well it isn’t helping. Or simply the sense that something is wrong and you can’t quite put your finger on what.
It costs €250.
And no, booking one doesn’t mean signing yourself up for six months of therapy.
What actually happens during the consultation?
At the beginning, we chat for a bit to break the ice. But then I’ll quickly ask what brings you here. Then you talk.
I listen, ask questions, point things out and try to understand what’s really going on behind the problem as you’ve described it.
Sometimes the problem someone brings into the consultation isn’t really the problem. This is very common. It tends to be useful information though.
But, I’m not going to spend an hour nodding thoughtfully while you tell me things you already know about yourself. Nor am I going to give you a list of five life hacks before sending you on your way.
We look at your particular situation, and together we develop a strategy for dealing with whatever difficulty or situation you’re facing. I’m not simply going to tell you what to do, but I’ll work with you through the process as you make a decision or get clarity on a situation.
I analyse situations in depth and with precision, trying to get to the root of the problem first and then offering practical guidance you can actually act on. There’s no point in having an insight if it doesn’t lead to tangible change.
Is Ace Ventura actually one of the greatest films of all time?
Obviously.
Do you even have to ask?! But for me, the first one is my favourite. There’s something special about it. Jim Carrey’s brilliant performance, the completely unfiltered ’90s jokes, the whole detective plot…
What more could you ask for?!
Although When Nature Calls deserves more respect than it gets.
What happens after the consultation?
Sometimes, nothing. You came with something specific, we worked on it, and that’s enough for you.
Sometimes it becomes obvious that there is more there and that working together for longer could be useful. Maybe because what you’ve brought to the consultation is a complex issue.
If that happens, we can talk about ongoing therapy. How many sessions? Two more? Ten? A hundred? However many you need, because every person and every situation is different. No more than you need, no less.
Follow-up sessions cost €120 each.
Of course, you’re not obliged to continue. Neither am I obliged to tell you that therapy is what you need if I don’t think it is.
That’s basically it.
One consultation. One hour. And an outside perspective to help you work through whatever has been taking up rather too much space in your head.
Oh, I nearly forgot. Here’s the link in case you’re interested:
Love,
Noemi
P.S. Actually, pretty much any Jim Carrey film, but nothing quite beats the Ace Ventura films!
