Pernier Sophie

FSP psychologist, federally recognized psychotherapist (CBT focus)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
The cognitive-behavioral approach is based on understanding and modifying the interactions between our behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. All these aspects interact with each other and can sometimes cause suffering or lead us to repeat actions that are harmful to us.
The distinctive feature of this approach is that it incorporates new findings from scientific research, making it an evidence-based approach. Thanks to research, the underlying mechanisms of each mental illness are becoming increasingly well understood. This new knowledge allows for the best possible adaptation of therapeutic treatment.
In the cognitive-behavioral approach, the therapist and patient work together to solve a specific problem. Each brings their own expertise to the table: the patient is the person who knows themselves best, and the therapist has the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during their training to help them.

Schema-focused therapy.
Schema-focused therapy is part of the broader field of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is particularly aimed at people who notice that unpleasant events keep recurring in their lives.
The principle is that from early childhood, we develop protective mechanisms to deal with the difficult life events we may encounter. While these mechanisms are useful, they can also become debilitating over time or in certain circumstances. The therapy consists primarily of identifying these mechanisms and distancing ourselves from them so that we only use them in functional situations.

Therapy with people living with mental disabilities
The founding principles of cognitive behavioral therapy are no different when applied to people with mental disabilities. However, certain adjustments are necessary (equipment, therapeutic setting, mediation interviews with relatives and the patient's network).

Therapy for whom?
There are several reasons why someone might seek help from a therapist. Most often, requests for help are related to feelings of significant psychological distress. The cause of this distress varies greatly from person to person. It may be due to difficult life events (trauma following an assault or accident, bereavement, bankruptcy, mobbing), mental illness, or difficulty accepting certain aspects of oneself, whether it be one's body or one's way of being. Sometimes we start therapy to get to know ourselves better and understand how we function on a daily basis or in a given context. This is referred to as personal development.

Sometimes a more difficult journey or accidents may require adjustments. This is the case for people who suffer from brain damage or developmental disorders. These aspects can interact with other disorders and aggravate them. In this case, the therapist adapts the setting to ensure that their patient can fully benefit from the therapy. They also try their best to understand and treat the interactions between the various difficulties encountered by their patient.

Mental illnesses:

• Fear of meeting other people, of finding oneself in a place with no easily accessible exit, anxiety attacks that cause breathing difficulties and/or stomach aches... (Anxiety disorders)
• Intrusive thoughts and the need to make sure that nothing bad will happen (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• Desire to do nothing, dark thoughts, sadness, loss of self-confidence and confidence in the future, mood swings from one extreme to another... (Mood disorders)
• Difficulty managing food, tendency to eat large quantities or avoid eating... (Eating disorders)
• Difficulty stopping alcohol or other substance use, difficulty stopping internet use, gambling... (Addictions)
• Hearing, feeling, or seeing things that others do not perceive, feeling that someone wants to harm you despite assurances that you are safe... (Psychotic disorders)