Valerie A. G. Ventureyra, PhD
Clinical Psychologist- Psychotherapist
 

Email: valvenpsy@yahoo.fr

Website:
https://valvenpsy.wixsite.com/valvenpsy

I offer online therapy with Zoom

 

Qualifications/ Training
I am a Psychologist with a background in both Clinical Psychology and research in Cognitive Neuroscience, trained at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) and at l’Université Paris 5 and l’Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris.

I have worked and been trained in several Parisian hospitals (Sainte Anne, Corentin Celton, Louis Mourier) and have been in practice since 2007. I am a member of the Association Française de Therapie Comportementale et Cognitive (AFTCC) and EMDR France.

Type of Therapy
I am specialized in brief Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). These therapies have been studied and evaluated over time and have proven their efficacy for a wide-range of psychological and social problems. Treatment tends to be rather short-term (a few months to one or two years depending on the problem(s)) and improvement can generally be noted after only a few sessions. Therapy is interactive and based on collaboration between therapist and client. I also use other approaches stemming from CBT such as Schema Therapy, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Two important characteristics of CBT:
1) Modification of Behaviours, Thoughts and Emotions related to the psychological problem
2) Therapy is practical and based on the “here and now”

I also work with EMDR, when appropriate. EMDR was originally developed to treat post-traumatic stress (PTSD) following stressful and often life-threatening events such as accidents or intentional violence. Today this therapy can be extended to other less violent situations that may nonetheless be just as psychologically harmful.

Early verbal/ psychological abuse by parents or peers often leading to self-esteem issues, phobias and panic attacks, are some examples of the other types of problems that can be effectively treated by EMDR. During this therapy, information is reprocessed and assimilated through the stimulation of both hemispheres of the brain by rapid eye movements. Specific protocols, scientifically studied and validated for their efficacy, are used according to the problems presented. This approach can also be effectively combined with CBT.

Types of Problems Treated (in Adults)

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Phobia

  • Depression

  • Trauma and PTSD (I am sub-specialized in this area)

  • Cultural Adaptation Issues (culture-shock for expatriates)

  • Adjustment/ Phase of Life problems

  • Relationship difficulties