A space for care and emotional balance

Psychological therapy for children and adults

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Seeking help is a great option

Your needs are important

You may be living with the feeling of not being well, or your body may be sending you signals that
something is not right.

You may simply be looking for a space of care or support to help you find yourself again.

If what you need is to regain your emotional balance, make sense of what you’re experiencing, feel comfortable with yourself and your interpersonal relationships, or acquire resources to deal with the challenges in your life, seeking help is a great option.

I will be delighted to assist you.

Belén del Río Mc Bride

“My priority is to accurately define your situation, make sense of your experience, and from there, alleviate the distress.”

My name is Belén, and I am a licensed psychologist specializing in families, children and
adolescents, trauma, and attachment.

The world of relationships and connections, as well as their impact on individuals’ mental health, has always been my primary area of interest. That’s why I began my training in systemic therapy, an approach that broadens the focus to consider not only the individual but also the influence of their immediate environment.

My contact and experience with families sparked my interest in working with the youngest members, leading me to expand my knowledge by training in the assessment and intervention with children and adolescents.

I further consolidated my expertise by specializing in attachment and trauma. With all of this, I consider my approach to be integrative; I adapt the process to each individual.

I use the person’s history as a roadmap for the process, and from there, we create a common thread that encompasses issues in three dimensions: past, present, and future.

I am specialized in EMDR therapy to help my patients recover from traumatic experiences and/or process life experiences related to their request or reason for seeking help. This therapy allows us to make substantial changes from the root.

In my sessions, I am approachable and respectful of each person’s pace while ensuring progress is not compromised. I am empathetic, honest, and I ensure that the individual feels supported, collaboratively constructing a safe and judgment-free space where a common goal exists.

I highly value my clinical insight. My top priority is to define, as accurately as possible, each person’s symptoms and their origins, with the goal of making sense of their circumstances and experiences and, from there, facilitating healing.

Contact

Adult, children and family therapy.

Sessions focused on various needs in Granada and online. Connect with your well-being, no
matter where you are.

Adult therapy

Designed for adults seeking a space to feel better, understand themselves, and address what may be preventing them from feeling well.

The adult presents their goals or needs if they have them
identified, and the professional shapes them, helping the person understand what is happening, what might be behind their distress, and how to initiate change both in and outside of the sessions.

Based on this assessment, which is continually reviewed throughout the process, the sessions are aimed at regulating and stabilizing the individual, equipping them with necessary resources, and integrating new ways of functioning and self-perception

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Children and adolescents therapy

Designed for children and adolescents displaying symptoms of emotional distress and/or dysfunctional behaviors.

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Family Therapy

Designed for families looking to address issues and challenges affecting their members, seeking to improve relationships, resolve conflicts, and promote a healthy environment.

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EMDR Therapy

A therapeutic approach that helps individuals overcome traumas and painful experiences.

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Workshops and Seminars

Psychoeducation workshops for parents and/or families, as well as for sectors related to families and minors (schools, associations, etc.).

The workshops can be structured around topics that are of greatest concern to families based on their circumstances and the developmental stage of their children: family coexistence, work-family balance, adolescents and screens, or prevention of risky behaviors, among others.

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How I work:

I apply the latest advancements in psychology with a generous dose of human warmth.

I advocate for a comprehensive therapeutic approach

I take into account the body, mind, emotions, and relationships, aiming for you to feel at ease with yourself.

Each process is unique, and therefore, the pace, order, and procedure will be entirely personalized and tailored to your needs. If you would like to get a better understanding of the topics we will address, I provide a guideline for your reference.

1

Connect

I will listen to your needs and the reason that has brought you to my consultation. The first encounter is an opportunity for both of us. I will have the chance to get to know you, and you will be able to assess your feelings after the initial contact.

2

Assess

We will review the current state of your life and those areas most relevant to you. We will understand how you relate to yourself and others.

3

Understand

We will go over your life history and establish connections with current patterns and issues you may perceive.

4

Heal

We will work on acquiring personal resources and emotional regulation tools so that you feel secure and trust in your abilities. Similarly, we will address the processing of personal experiences and/or emotionally charged memories.

5

Learn

You will learn to better relate to your emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

Why Belén del Río?

Committed to your progress

Quality vs. quantity

 I advocate for a reduced number of patients to be able to dedicate the time and attention you deserve.

Trust

I focus on the connection so that you can feel comfortable in an environment of respect and free from judgment, where you can express yourself freely.

Honesty

If I believe that another professional can better address your needs, I will not hesitate to share this with you and guide you through the referral process.

Keeping up-to-date

 I stay current to bring all the latest developments or advancements into our sessions.

Therapy in English

I provide sessions in English for those who require assistance in this language.

Collaborations

I collaborate with other professionals in the field to precisely address any needs that may arise during the process and coordinate progress.

FAQS

General questions

How can I schedule an appointment?
If you would like to book an appointment with me online, you can do so in the “Book Appointment” section. You will be asked for some information that will allow me to contact you (once the appointment is booked) to assess your individual needs and plan the process. If you prefer an in-person appointment or wish to contact me before booking an online appointment, you can email me: belendelriomb@gmail.com or reach out via WhatsApp or phone call at the following phone number: 689 03 43 98.
How long are the sessions?
Sessions have a duration of 60 minutes.
How do I know whether online therapy or in-person therapy is more suitable for me?
Online therapy is equally effective as in-person therapy. It offers greater flexibility, convenience, and ensures continuity of the process if you are away from your usual residence. It also provides the opportunity to work with professionals who are not in your city. It is an effective format for individual therapy that guarantees the closeness and full attention of the professional, just like in-person therapy. However, it is important to have a comfortable and private space to ensure you feel comfortable during the sessions, as well as a good internet connection. If you are seeking therapy for more than one person or for a child, my recommendation would be in-person therapy. Nevertheless, we can always assess the different options based on your needs at any given time.
Once I have booked my appointment, can I cancel or reschedule the date and time?
Certainly, you can make the necessary changes with a minimum notice of 24 hours. If changes are made within 24 hours prior to the session, there will be no possibility of a refund.
How often should I have therapy sessions?
Every situation is unique, and I will always recommend the best option for you. However, consistency is important to achieve results during the therapeutic process and to avoid prolonging therapy longer than necessary. My recommendation is to have sessions on a weekly or biweekly basis, especially at the beginning of the process. This frequency is most suitable for ensuring commitment, treatment adherence, proper follow-up, and the opportunity to delve deeper into the work.
How long will my therapy process last?
The duration of a therapeutic process cannot be predetermined, as each one is different, as are each person’s needs. We can discuss this once we have met and as many times as necessary during the process. Personally, I aim to progress through therapy as quickly as possible.
If I start a therapy process with you, can I contact you outside of the session?
There are contact options that I will respond to within specific hours. This contact will be primarily used for appointment modification or cancellation, as well as for urgent situations. Any matters related to personal issues and/or affecting the therapeutic process will be addressed during the session. All material is important, and working on it during the session allows me to give it the attention it deserves.
Will anyone know the information I share during the session? (Confidentiality)
No, professional secrecy and confidentiality are maintained from the beginning of the process.
How do I know if you can help me?
To learn about the types of issues I address and my approach, I invite you to read my introduction. Currently, my training allows me to address various topics and work on different demands within my model of work. I prioritize quality over quantity. This means I attend to a limited number of individuals to have enough time between sessions to delve into specific issues based on the specific needs that arise during the session. I am in contact with colleagues who work from different approaches and specialize in specific topics. If I believe that another professional could better address your needs, I will not hesitate to share this with you and recommend a more suitable professional for you.

Questions for Family or Child and Adolescent Therapy

Can we have individual processes with you, involving several members of the same family?
If the processes involve different demands, it may not be the most suitable approach. It would be best to have different professionals working together in such cases. To work with me, it would need to be framed as family therapy, which sometimes includes individual sessions. These individual sessions maintain a common thread and are conducted with the aim of improving the situation for all family members.
Is it possible to coordinate with other services (psychiatrist, school, etc.)?
Certainly, I try to coordinate with professionals who are part of the patient’s immediate context to ensure a comprehensive approach and address all necessary areas to achieve results. At times, I may suggest collaborating with other professionals if I deem it appropriate.
If I bring my child, will I know what you work on with them?
When working with minors, it is essential to create an environment of trust so they feel comfortable. When dealing with a child (up to approximately 10/11 years old), transparency is nearly complete, always adapting to each circumstance. In these cases, most of the work may be done with you. When it comes to adolescents, ensuring a safe and private space for them is essential. In these cases, I will share only what is strictly necessary and what facilitates progress. If we have information that makes us believe the minor is at risk, it will be conveyed to ensure their safety.
How do I explain to my child what a psychologist is?
It’s important to be clear and consistent, as sometimes children may confuse us with doctors or teachers. To avoid confusion, it’s ideal to use appropriate language, referring to the professional as a psychologist and the sessions as therapy. You can explain the purpose of a psychologist, adapting this explanation to their language, emphasizing that it’s a space to feel better, and indicating that both the child and the parents will be part of it. By including parents in the process, we prevent the child from feeling singled out.
My adolescent doesn’t want to go to therapy. What can I do?
While more and more adolescents seek help, it’s also common for an adolescent not to want to attend therapy, especially if it’s at the request of parents or teachers. In these cases, it’s important not to pressure the child and remind them of the confidentiality of shared information. I always emphasize that therapy is a powerful resource as long as one is open to using it. I wouldn’t want to exhaust this resource by forcing an adolescent to attend therapy, as it could lead to aversion or rejection. In such cases, we can always work indirectly with parents, leaving the door open for the adolescent to join when they are ready. Each situation is different, and there are various ways to approach such a situation. Please contact me so we can assess the situation and proceed according to your adolescent’s needs.
I want to bring my child, but their father/mother disagrees. What can I do?
It’s important that both parents or guardians are aware of the procedure and give their consent. Working with minors typically involves working with parents or adult caregivers as well. Their active involvement in improving the child or adolescent’s emotional state is expected. It’s not always easy to agree on a child’s needs, so I will try to resolve all your doubts and provide space for each of you to get to know me and decide what might be best for your child.
Is it possible to have online therapy?
Parent sessions can be conducted in this format without any problem. However, it may not be advisable for younger children, as they can easily become distracted, and we cannot use all the resources available in an in-person session (books, cards, games, colors, etc.). With adolescents, there should be no issue, as long as we can guarantee their privacy.
Do I have to attend my child’s sessions?
Yes, rarely is a minor’s request an individual matter. Objectives are typically framed as a family issue, so you will not only have to accompany your child but also be part of the change.
How does the first session work?
This decision depends on each situation and/or demand. Generally, if your child is under 8 years old, it’s ideal for parents to come first to assess the demand and potential needs. If they are older than 8 years, I will dedicate part of the session to addressing your demand and part to getting to know them. In the case of adolescents, the session will also be divided into two spaces for each party, allowing the adolescent to choose the order of entry.