INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
In life, we all experience difficult moments that challenge us. Counselling offers a safe environment where reflection and self-awareness take place. In light of this, change becomes possible.
ONLINE COUNSELLING
Now you can seek therapy from the comfort of your own home! Online counselling is not only a more affordable option, it is also more practical to attend a session at a time which is more convenient for you.
PARENT COUNSELLING
A service that aims to provide the necessary knowledge, tools, guidance, and support to parents without judgment. This can help in relation to child behaviour and development.
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
AAT involves the presence of an animal during the therapeutic process. Both children and adults can highly benefit from having contact with animals. Research suggests that animals can improve our physical /mental/ emotional wellbeing. Studies also found that animals can promote healthy development.
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE THERAPY
Children and young people often deal with many of the same issues that adults do, such as anxiety or grief. Many children are unable to express the complexities of having emotional or mental problems. Counselling offers a safe environment to explore the causes of your child’s issues.
COUPLE THERAPY
Attending counselling sessions can provide you and your partner with the opportunity to discuss difficulties openly in a confidential and safe space. For some, couple therapy can transform their relationship; for others, it helps them to solve a specific problem and move forward with more confidence.
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY
CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts determine our feelings and behaviours. With this therapeutic approach I can help you identify the negative messages and thought patterns that you would like to modify and change them into more realistic thoughts. CBT can be used for depression and anxiety.
Our Team
In our free time, Lola and I enjoy exploring nature with our family and friends. Nature provides us with the space and time to relax and really appreciate the beauty of life. We strongly believe that the secret to a happy life is a balanced one!
Antonella Grasso – Counsellor
I’m a warranted Transcultural Counsellor, which means that I am trained and experienced in working with several therapeutic approaches. I am registered as a counsellor with the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession (MACP – www.macpmalta.org). After I graduated, I read for a diploma in Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as these are my preferred therapeutic approaches. Nonetheless, my training includes person-centred, solution focused and psychodynamic techniques. I find that working in an integrative way is more beneficial than being restricted to just one approach. I understand that you are both an individual and unique. Therefore, I appreciate that one approach does not fit all – so I work to tailor my approach to your specific needs. Whether that be by setting goals, introducing coping strategies/techniques, helping you modify your thinking patterns or simply by offering you a listening and supportive ear.
Lola Peach – Therapy Dog
Woof! I am Lola Peach, a mixed breed terrier from the lovely island of Gozo. I have been providing my human with unconditional love and support for the past 7 years, so much so that I inspired her to write her Master’s thesis about the effects of animals on people’s wellbeing and to explore how therapy animals can be effective in a therapeutic setting. Needless to say, the study’s findings suggest that therapy animals can be helpful co-therapists in the counselling setting, as they offer unconditional love, are non-judgemental, create a safe environment, and could thus aid the counsellor to build trust and rapport with the client. Don’t believe me? Look it up! The name of the thesis is:
Dr. Fluffy: Friend, Foe or Something more? The implications of Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Counselling Setting
Healing takes courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it
Tori Ames
CASE STUDY
Parent Counselling
Gina is extremely worried about her son, Mark, who has been exhibiting behavioural issues at school. Mark has difficulty with impulse control and experienced problems sitting still in class and focusing on his work. Additionally, Mark has resorted to aggression when it comes to solving conflicts with his peers in class.
Mark’s teacher is also concerned about his behaviour. Mark doesn’t ask for permission to speak in class and never waits for his turn. In fact, Mark has become quite defiant and more often than not, refuses to comply with his teacher’s requests.
Understandably, Gina is very upset. She cannot understand why Mark has been behaving this way, especially since she does not experience any similar behavioural issues at home.
HOW CAN COUNSELLING HELP?
Parent counselling can help to identify the main issues which are leading to the child’s behaviour. More often than not, there is some form of missunderstanding between the children and their parents – which ends up creating an even more frustrating situation for both. These sessions will help to clarify what is going on in order to strengthen the family relationships.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WOULD BE REQUIRED?
The number of sessions you attend is completely up to you. On average, it usually takes from 5 – 8 sessions for therapy to be truly effective. Nonetheless, you are in control of the sessions. At the end of the day, what matters to me the most is to be able to help you in a meaningful way, where you can feel supported in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
CASE STUDY
Individual Counselling
Alice works as a manager for a local organisation. Lately, her work has become more stressful as her organisation is constantly evolving and bringing about new changes. Part of her job is to keep up with these changes by implementing new strategies and keep her staff happy and calm while adjusting to the new changes.
She is finding herself working ten-hour days, six days a week and ends up not finding any time to relax with her friends and family. This has made her feel more irritable than usual. Consequently, she even ended up yelling with some of her subordinates for making small mistakes.
Concerned about her behaviour and anxiety levels, she decided to reach out and start therapy.
HOW CAN COUNSELLING HELP?
Counselling provides you with a safe space where you can explore whatever is concerning you. It offers you an opportunity to see things more clearly, from a different view-point. Seeing things from different perspectives can help you facilitate the positive change you have been waiting for.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WOULD BE REQUIRED?
The number of sessions you attend is completely up to you. On average, it usually takes from 5 – 8 sessions for therapy to be truly effective. Nonetheless, you are in control of the sessions. At the end of the day, what matters to me the most is to be able to help you in a meaningful way, where you can feel supported in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Animal Assisted Therapy
The human-animal bond is a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviours that are essential to the health and well being of both. This includes emotional, psychological and physical interactions of people, other animals, and the environment (AVMA, 1998).
The main purpose of the therapy animal is to work hand-in-hand with the counsellor in order to offer compassionate and stimulating therapy, which is intended to ease the way to the client’s emotional and mental wellbeing (Dew, 2000; Chandler, 2005).
CASE STUDY
Samantha is concerned about her daughter, Rachel. At the age of 7, Rachel had to change schools, and suddenly became very withdrawn. She barely speaks at school and at home. Concerned teachers have contacted the mother several times to inform her that Rachel was not socialising and making any friends.
HOW CAN ANIMAL- ASSISTED THERAPY WORK?
Simply defined, AAT is the involvement of a therapy animal in a counselling session. When it comes to working with children, more often than not, children may feel more comfortable transferring their feelings onto the therapy animal, rather than directly talking to the therapist. This is called ‘indirect interviewing’ through a therapy animal. For example, the therapist says to the child, “Lola wants to know what your favourite colour is.” This way, the therapy animal makes the therapeutic environment very safe and exciting for the child. Therapy animals also help to motivate children to participate in the therapeutic process, making it easier for the therapist to work on the child’s difficulties.
Reviews
*****
A caring, understanding and trustworthy person. Always with a lovely smile, ready to listen. Highly recommended!
A professional and trustworthy person, highly motivated and very capable of helping those in need!
My child is really doing well at school and other social activities, there’s a big improvement! Thanks for everything!
