Adults constitute the largest group of clients at DSA Psychologists. Most times adults attend in their own right, but sometimes they also come in the role of a parent of children and adolescents they are bringing to various DSA clinics. As such they differ in that their attendance is entirely voluntary, unless of course a spouse has “required” them to attend.
Adults attend psychologists because they realize something is not right in their lives or they may wish just to confirm that they are OK. They may be experiencing disruption in their emotional state (sadness or apprehension or lethargy), through to serious disorders (major depression, unresolved grief) severe phobias or anxieties, a variety of addictions (alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs or gambling) or if long-standing, a personality disorder.
Adults may also attend individually when the real issue is a relationship problem with their spouse or with one or more of their children. They also request psychological counselling in dealing with marital break-up and custody/access or settlement issues.
Sometimes, when thought potentially beneficial, the psychologist may request the spouse or whole family might attend to support the initial person or to further assess the nature of the problem.
Several of the DSA Psychologists are specifically trained and experienced in either relationship counselling or family therapy or both.
Approaches used by DSA Psychologists revolve around counselling which is usually individual and supportive if only one person attends. Individual approaches also include cognitive therapy, psychodynamic explanation and hypnosis. In the future, groups may be offered by DSA Psychologists, in which group therapy will be utilized.
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