Sophrology

Sophrology was created in Spain in 1960 by Colombian neuro-psychiatrist Dr. Alfonso Caycedo. Rejecting the harsh psychiatric methods of the time, such as electroshock therapy, he developed a new, more respectful approach that considered patients' personalities and individual differences. Its goal was to understand the consciousness of psychiatric patients to help them improve.

Sophrology focuses on the essence of the human being, what makes one fully human—what Dr. Caycedo termed the "phenomenon of consciousness."

The aim of Sophrology is to establish or restore harmony between body and mind. Professor Caycedo drew heavily from Eastern techniques like yoga and meditation, combining them with Western relaxation methods to enhance consciousness and address anxieties, fears, and tensions.

Sophrology helps patients regain confidence by instilling positive thoughts in their minds. It is a way to understand oneself, rediscover oneself, and shift one's perception of the world towards well-being.

What is Sophrology?

“Learn to write your wounds in the sand, And your joys in stone”

Lao Tseu

Do you want to change the course of your life ?

What do you want to do with your life? Or... what do you no longer want?

Do you feel the desire to change something?

Or even to change your life?

Do you need to clarify your priorities, your goals, your aspirations?

Or... do you simply need to take a break, to rest, to breathe, and sort through what is within you to take the necessary time for discernment, to better understand your reality and act according to your true nature?

Let go of doubts, regrets, and unresolved experiences to reconcile with yourself.

And turn the page over !

Learn from your experiences, whatever they may be, to transform and transmute them into strength and learning. The desire to change is not always simple.

Start the movement!

I offer you personalised and gradual support.

You are the creators of your own reality, so take this precious time for your inner compass to find its way,

The way that gives meaning to your life.

Sophrology sessions last for 1 hour and can be practiced standing, sitting, or lying down.
Each session consists mainly of two phases:

Body Schema: This refers to the body’s image, shape, sensations, and how a person perceives his body. Sophrology helps the individual to invest or reinvest in their body in the most realistic way possible in the present moment, allowing them to fully experience it.
**The first phase involves dynamic exercises that incorporate body movements along with breathing practices. This phase is mainly performed standing and sitting, helping individuals become more aware of their body schema, verticality, and balance. Dynamic relaxation helps to ground oneself and (re)find their place in space.
**The second phase is usually practiced sitting or lying down. During this phase, the person is guided by the sophrologist’s voice to reach a modified state of consciousness, a state between wakefulness and sleep.
In this deeply relaxed state, positive activation occurs through techniques such as visualisation, positive affirmations, auto-suggestions, and future-oriented thinking.
In this relaxation phase, the person uses their mental abilities to direct their consciousness towards positive actions. He/she will perceive events differently, experience them more closely to their true nature rather than how he/she initially perceive them, and gain all possible benefits in a constructive manner.

In which field can I help you?

At the service of your well-being . . .

Who is it For ?

Over time, Sophrology has become more widespread and in my practice I work with children, teenagers, adults and elderly alike.

Body balance

Breathe, release bodily tensions
Exercises for flexibility and stretching,
Improve your sleep,
Ease pain,
Revitalise yourself,
Regain energy . . .

Emotional balance

Improve concentration and memory,
Mental preparation for exams, interviews, oral presentations, driving tests, and important events,
Gain self-esteem and confidence,
Manage stress, anxiety, fears, phobias, and panic attacks,
Fear of flying, elevators, and confined spaces . . .

Spirituality

Meditation, mindfulness
Unfolding your feelings,
Your place in the world, your sacred feminine, sacred masculine,
Inner journey

Health

Difficult pregnancy, IVF journey,
Endometriosis,
Fibromyalgia,
Post-pregnancy baby blues,
Support during cancer treatment, chemotherapy, radiotherapy,
Preparation for surgery,
Support for caregivers, medical teams, and companions of patients,
Relief from tinnitus and hyperacusis.

Life stages

Support for job loss, burnout, career change,
Support during bereavement,
Separation, divorce, life transitions,
Transition to retirement,
Existential crisis,
Relationship difficulties,
Palliative care support,
Quest for meaning, loss of bearings.

What does Sophrology offer you?

Key Benefits of Sophrology

Letting Go: Learning relaxation and breathing techniques.
Body Relaxation: Invitation to physical relaxation.
Mental Calmness: Soothing the mind and awakening sensory awareness.
Self-Mastery: Managing stress, releasing tensions, and controlling emotions (anger, sadness, disgust).
Control Over Fears and Phobias: Overcoming fears, phobias, and anxieties.
Negative Thought Clearance: Clearing negative and intrusive thoughts.

Therapeutic Applications

Pain Management: E.g fibromyalgia.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction: Addressing stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, and burnout.
Function Improvement: Enhancing sleep, breathing, concentration, and tinnitus management.
Life Transition Support: Handling difficult life events such as illness, bereavement, job loss, separation, and academic challenges.
Addiction Management: Addressing issues with tobacco, food, alcohol, etc.
Maternity and Paternity Preparation: Preparing for parenthood and assisted reproductive processes.
Pre-Surgical Relaxation: Preparing for surgery.
Physical Rehabilitation: Supporting physical recovery.

Enhanced Self-Knowledge

Development of a better relationship with oneself (unity of body and mind)
Discovery of personal resources and inner potential (confidence, self-esteem, self-assertion, self-love, assurance…)

Personal Development

Growth and stimulation of one’s abilities
Flourishing of personality and creativity
More positive self-image
Openness to others

Mindfulness and Meditation

Improvement of quality of life through mindfulness practices

Various Preparations

Exam and competition preparation
Job interviews
Sports competitions

Over time throughout my experiences, I work now with different therapeutic techniques that meet the client’s needs, according to their issues :

Sophro-analysis

-Sophro-analysis techniques are used to explore different and important steps in the client’s life, clarifying the significant links between their life events and their emotional issues. By guiding the person to relive key emotional events from their past, there is an opportunity to express their true inner feelings, a space where movement can be made, allowing the person to change its own perceptions, sensations and welcoming a better understanding of oneself. -During the session, the client lies down to achieve a better state of mental and physical relaxation. -The therapist gently guides the person through strategic questioning and emotional release facilitating better self-acceptance.

Hypnosis

-Hypnosis techniques involve a shift in the thinking pattern and the level of the consciousness. It is a shift of the state of focused attention towards a more relaxed state of mind, calling upon deeper imagination and mental relaxation. In a state of hypnosis, people are more receptive to suggestions. The conscious mind is quieted, they are more opened to their inconscious mind, tapping into the part of the brain where the thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions and behaviours originate. In the hypnotic state of trance, the gentle guidance from the therapist can help you modify and transmute the anchored behaviours and beliefs. You reach a better state of well being and more peaceful mind.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

-These techniques enable the client to heal from the emotional distress that is the result of disturbing life experiences such as traumatic experiences. This therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Eye Movement therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Among these mentioned techniques, I also adapt other therapeutic methods and discuss with my clients the various possibilities and ways we can work together. As I always say, therapy involves actions from both of us, just like a dance, I suggest a movement, you always have the choice to take the step or move to another direction, the choice is yours, follow your inner feelings. The work starts by listening to yourself, to your body and sensations, listening to your emotions and your deeper self- listening and respecting yourself. If you live abroad or are unable to attend in-person sessions, alternatively, I conduct video-calls via Google Meet or Skype. Feel free to call and take the first step; I am fully available to answer any questions you may have.