Psychological consultations

Some common reasons for a consultation :

* Emotional difficulties, chronic distress (fear of failure, chronic anxiety, phobias, poor stress management,…)

* Difficulty adjusting to a changing/evolving context, such as a separation, divorce, death, new job, unemployment,…

* Relational difficulties at work, with your partner, or family

* Intimacy issues (prolonged celibacy, body dissatisfaction, fear of judgment,…)

* Existential related questions (sense of self and purpose in the world)

Psychological consultations give you a confidential space where you can speak freely and think more in depth about what is keeping you from leading a more meaningful life. Together we will look at how we can reactivate your own resources so that ultimately you can use them and find the confidence and motivation to continue on your own.

Consultations for individuals, couples and families 

Before Signing Up For Therapy

Doing therapy can be revolutionary and improve many things, but not everyone is ready or a good candidate for it. If your distress is too severe, it can prevent you from finding the energy necessary and/or desire to work on things, as well as create unrealistic expectations of your therapist. In this case, it is most likely best to wait and find a way to rest at home or on a retreat before starting the therapeutic process.

Here are some considerations if you are considering therapy:

1) Active collaboration

Psychotherapy involves both parties; it is a collaboration of two equals in which both take full responsibility for addressing any difficulties during the process. The therapist cannot « guess » what you are thinking or « magically » create the desired change. As you know best, who you are, what your needs are and what you are going through, it is by sharing and questioning thoughts and doubts that we have the best chance in meeting your goals. You are the driving force of change who can decide if and when change is needed. Indeed, the tools I have are powerless without your input.

 2) Risks

To speak implies risks, it can be uncomfortable and scary to bring up stories that we are ashamed of or don’t totally understand. It is a process and with time, you should feel more legitimate and comfortable exploring your Self and thoughts.

Also, change in one area alsways implies change in other areas, meaning that if it brings advantages on the one hand, it can also be a disadvantage on the other. Change has its own rhythm, it cannot be forced. We will therefore evaluate beforehand the risks of change while searching for how to better protect yourself from unwanted outcomes.

You can thing of the therapeutic space not as a decision-making space but more of a creative non-judgmental exploration space.

3) Confidentiality

Our sessions are strictly confidential. The content of the sessions is protected by the code of professional ethics.

Limits of confidentiality : Psychologists are required by law to disclose any information that could protect the client or others from an act of physical violence such as suicide, imminent homicide intentions, or plans to do harm to themselves, an identifiable person or group of people.

4) Duration of therapy

The duration of therapy is difficult to foresee in advance as it depends on many factors such as your evolving context, goals, wishes and overall implication.

5) Cancellation policy

Your cancellation allows other patients to benefit from your therapy time. Therefore, for any cancellations made less than 48 hours (business days) before the appointment time, the total fee will be charged. This is standard practice and enables recognition for the professional’s time and work.

6) Goodbye Session

When you decide you want to stop therapy, a “Goodbye Session” is highly recommended, as it constitutes a healthy way to separate and close any suspending previous discussions. This session also enables us to review your progress while discussing how you plan to go forward with what was accomplished.

Moreover, it is an opportunity to bring into the open unexpressed difficulties and/or possible misunderstandings from previous sessions. Holding myself accountable for the safety of the therapeutic framework, I will reconnect with you for this final session if need be.

 

Who am I ?

Ingrid Richaud, psychologue clinicienne

As a clinical psychologist, I study human behavior, thoughts and emotions so I can help my patients better understand and change what generates and maintains inner suffering and/or distress.

In the therapy room, I put a special emphasis on creating a conducive space for self-discovery so my patients can explore the richness and depth of their emotions and inner world. One of the aspects I most appreciate about my work is creating new perspectives that will best fit for the reality they choose to live in. I believe that perspective shapes reality. This is why questioning old beliefs, especially those that keep us stuck in a rut, can be so liberating and rewarding.

My formal training, professors and mentors, as well as travels and experiences abroad have helped me become  particularly sensitive to the influence of social context (norms and belief systems) on psychological well-being. Being of French and American descent, fluent in both languages, I was fortunate to study Psychology, with a minor in Science, Health and Values, in New York State (Wells College). During and after those four years of university, my curiosity for more experience and adventure drove me to continue exploring other parts of the world. In some places I ended up working and living awhile, learning their language (Spanish), and adapting to their cultural standards. Despite the years, I have not forgotten how much language and culture shape our understanding of the world and way of thinking.

More than ever, deepening my knowledge of psychology felt indispensable. This is when I decided to pursue my education, while returning closer to my country of origin, with a Master’s degree in Psychological Sciences, at UCLouvain in Belgium. On top of my natural incline towards cognitive and behavioral therapy (CBT), I took a particular interest in Systemic Psychotherapy. I am currently enrolled in a 4-year post-training program, to become a Systemic Psychotherapist. The systemic approach examines the influence of social contexts on the individual, and conversely, the influence of the individual on their social contexts. Social context includes all relationships, from family, to couple, to friends, to work relationships. 

Continued training and education :

Systemic Family Psychotherapy by CEFORES, Centre Chapelles-aux-Champs

4 year Post-Graduate Training (current training)Logo UCL Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve

Post-traumatic stress disorder and Complicated Grief by Christophe Herbert

January 2019FormationsPsy

Burn-out Syndrome by Professor Jacques de Mol

January 2019FormationsPsy

MBSR (Mindfulness based Stress Reduction)

8 week cycle with Doctor Bernadette Dupuis

April 2018- June 2018

Malignant Narcissist and his accomplice by Alberto Eiguer FormationsPsy

May 2018

Regular Trainings in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Since 2015

Logo Association for Contextual Behavioral Science

ACTiff, Licence 82691122869

Conflict Management and Non Violent CommunicationLogo Univers Santé de l'UCL

Univers Santé, UCL

November 2014

The key tools to leading a happier lifeLogo UCL Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve

UCL

2012

SAVAR (Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Ressource)Logo SAVAR Sexual Assault Victims Advocate Ressource

Cayuga Counseling Services

2009


Welcome

The Right Way Signal

You might be wondering, “what is therapy ?”, or “is therapy what I need ?

Therapy is giving yourself permission to take a step aside from your usual daily life, a time and space to reflect, understand yourself and others better. Therapy can also help boost social relationships and overall connection, thanks to better communication and emotional coping skills. By regaining enough motivation and autonomy, you should be able to pursue life in a more meaningful way. 

Who am I ?

Ingrid Richaud, psychologue clinicienne et spécialiste des troubles du comportement alimentaire

As a psychologist, I study and analyze human behavior, thoughts and emotions so I can help my patients better understand and change what generates and maintains inner suffering and/or chronic distress.

In the therapy room, I put a special emphasis on creating a conducive space for self-discovery so my patients can safely explore the richness and depth of their emotions and inner world. One of the aspects I most appreciate about my work with patients is creating new perspectives that will best fit the reality they choose to live in. I believe that perspective shapes reality. This is why questioning old beliefs, especially those that keep us stuck in a rut, can be so liberating and rewarding.

My formal training, professors and mentors, as well as travels and experiences abroad have made me particularly sensitive to the influence of social context (with its norms and belief systems) on psychological well-being. Being of French and American descent, fluent in both languages, I had the opportunity to… (Read more)

 

Psychological consultations

Do you sometimes feel that no matter how much you try to change things, you are still turning in circles… that certain situations, thoughts, emotions or behaviors prevent you from progressing towards your goals ?

Here are some common problems I encounter in my private practice :

  • Lack of motivation,

  • Stress management,

  • Burn-out syndrome,

  • Emotional coping,

  • Relational difficulties (couple, family, colleagues)

  • Communicational difficulties.

If you are considering therapy, I recommend you take a look at the section entitled « Before Signing Up For Therapy ».

Psychological consultations give you a confidential space where you can speak freely and think more in depth about what is keeping you from leading a more meaningful life. Together we will look at how we can reactivate your own resources so that ultimately you can use them and find the confidence and motivation to continue on your own. 

Consultations for individuals, couples and families.

 

 

 

Licensed psychologist n°882214277

Logo de la Commission des Psychologues