Mental Problems?
Let us talk about it...
Welcome!
Mental suffering and disorders are very serious problems for the individuals affected. The situation is often made even more difficult by the fact that, unlike with most physical illnesses, there are often no externally visible symptoms in many cases. No fever, no rash, no obviously broken leg...
Many affected individuals also experience significant misunderstanding from their environment as an additional difficulty, sometimes even unhelpful requests to "stop acting so weird" or "pull yourself together" or similar statements.
Talking to someone who understands the situation, recognizes symptoms correctly - that alone can already be a significant relief. Being shown ways to overcome these problems - that creates real hope and gives the necessary strength and confidence.
However, the very first step must come from you! Therefore, contact me and book your appointment today for a comprehensive initial consultation.
I look forward to seeing you!
Gerald Maier-Köck MBA
Good Reasons For A Therapy
Mental disorders initially show different, often unknown symptoms:
- Depression
- Sadness
- Lack of drive
- Fears and panic
- Relationship problems
- Withdrawal
- Overthinking and rumination
- Strong mood swings
- Altered bodily sensations
- Unusual perceptions (voices, images, ...)
- and much more.
Do you have experiences like these or feel different than usual? Or are you plagued with worries? Then you should definitely contact me as a therapist.
Nothing is permanent in this world.
Not even our problems.
WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Wissenschaftliches Heilverfahren
Scientific Therapy Procedure
Psychotherapy is a scientifically based healing procedure for the treatment of various disorders and illnesses in the psychological, psychosocial, and psychosomatic areas. Psychotherapy works together with other healing methods (such as medicine) and is regulated by the Psychotherapy Act in Austria.
Scientific Methods
In psychotherapy, scientifically tested and recognized methods are used to change dysfunctional behaviors and attitudes and to learn new functional behaviors. This alleviates mental suffering, promotes healing of illnesses, and contributes to personal growth and mental health in general.
Therapeutic Relationship
A key factor in therapy is the so-called "therapeutic relationship" - the trust and cooperation between patient and psychotherapist. Confidentiality is particularly important in this context - the psychotherapist is bound by confidentiality regarding the patient's shared secrets. This confidentiality is also comprehensively regulated by the Psychotherapy Act.
Individual Therapy
Each therapy process is completely individual - it always depends on the specific needs and goals of the respective patient. These are extensively discussed at the beginning of therapy and set the framework for the further course of treatment.
Wissenschaftliche Methoden
In der Psychotherapie werden wissenschaftlich erprobte und anerkannte Methoden angewandt, um dysfunktionale (hinderliche) Verhaltensweisen und Einstellungen zu ändern sowie neues funktionales (förderliches) Verhalten zu erlernen. So wird psychisches Leiden gelindert, die Heilung von Krankheiten gefördert und insgesamt auch zur persönlichen Reifung und psychischen Gesundheit beigetragen.
Therapeutische Beziehung
Ein wesentlicher Schlüssel in der Therapie ist die sogenannten "Therapeutische Beziehung" - also das Vertrauensverhältnis und die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Patient und Psychotherapeut. In diesem Zusammenhang besonders wichtig ist die Schweigepflicht - diese verpflichtet den Psychotherapeuten zur Vertraulichkeit betreffend den vom Patienten
mitgeteilten Geheimnissen. Diese Schweigepflicht ist ebenfalls im Psychotherapie-Gesetz umfassend geregelt.
Indivduelle Therapie
Jeder Therapieverlauf ist völlig individuell - er richtet sich immer nach den besonderen Bedürfnissen und Zielen des jeweiligen Patienten. Diese werden zu Therapiebeginn umfassend besprochen und legen den Rahmen für den weiteren Verlauf fest.
Behavior is learned
Healing - an active process
Solutions and strategies
Our behavior is a reflection of the experiences we have collected throughout our lives. They are our learned strategies and attempts to deal optimally with different situations.
Many of these patterns are quite successful - but unfortunately, some are not. Some behaviors come from a past chapter in life and may now be unsuitable for current situations and challenges.
Overcoming and healing from mental illnesses is a process of change that especially requires active engagement from the patient - of course, in the company and maximum support from me, as your therapist.
Because "time doesn't heal all wounds" - on the contrary: mental illnesses usually intensify over time without adequate treatment. Furthermore, further and new disorders (so-called comorbidities) can arise.
In behavioral therapy, we work with all types of behavior - successful and unsuccessful. We identify and analyze them, understand the causes and strategies for their development - and develop completely new and more promising strategies as healthy responses to current issues.
Through this change in behavior, we create the necessary conditions to approach existing sufferings and diseases completely anew. This is how healing happens!
BEHAVIORAL THERAPY - MY METHOD
Therapy process
The goal of every therapy is understanding, growth, self-awareness, and behavioral change - this is how healing or relief from disorders is achieved. A therapy typically includes the following contents and steps:
- Comprehensive understanding of the disorder, including symptoms
- Making a diagnosis of the illness
- Defining your therapy goals
- Creating your individual therapy plan based on your goals
- Identifying causes of the disorder
- Analyzing problematic behaviors and thought patterns
- Developing and training alternative and helpful new behaviors
- And much more
At each step, I will accompany and support you with all my experience, knowledge, and professional skills - and in emotionally difficult situations, particularly with maximum empathy and compassion!
FIRST CONVERSATION
Finding the right therapist with the right experience for your specific needs can require a longer search. After all, this should become a working relationship in which you can open up unlimitedly and with trust and receive the best possible support for your issues and goals.
In the first conversation, we get to know each other personally and discuss your specific needs and goals. In return, I will provide you with extensive information about:
- initial assessment of therapy options
- my therapeutic approach (see: Behavioral Therapy - My Method)
- approximate treatment process
- indicative duration of therapy
- confidentiality
- costs
- therapy terms
- and more...
You are also welcome to bring personal questions to the first conversation.
The goal of the conversation is to enable both of us to decide if we want to continue working together. If we both decide positively, the next immediate step is to fix concrete appointments and begin the therapeutic work.
PRACTICE ROOM
My practice is the place where we spend most of our therapeutic work. Here we explore life biographies, important and influential life events (life events), and get to know all aspects of your suffering or illness comprehensively. And here we also develop new strategies and behaviors together. In this secure space, you can try out and practice new behaviors and methods completely safely until you feel comfortable and confident.
TERMS
Duration & frequency
The scope and duration of therapy are very individual and dependent on many personal factors. Your own goal setting, motivation, and ongoing collaboration are particularly important.
I recommend weekly appointments for my clients - alternatively, every two weeks.
Cancellation policy
I reserve the therapy spot exclusively for you at the agreed-upon times. If necessary, agreed sessions can be canceled at no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the session.
Otherwise, I ask for understanding that I must bill fully for sessions not canceled or not taken in time.
Psst!
Confidentiality
The assurance that all conversations in therapy are confidential is an important key to a deep client-therapist relationship.
The confidentiality of psychotherapists is very specifically legally enshrined and regulated in the Psychotherapy Act in Austria.
Duration & frequency
The scope and duration of therapy are very individual and dependent on many personal factors. Your own goal setting, motivation, and ongoing collaboration are particularly important.
I recommend weekly appointments for my clients - alternatively, every two weeks.