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F O C U S

Thérapie

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Who We Are

A professional counseling team, based in Lille, Paris and Hong Kong. 

We offer face to face and online therapy.

Our therapist in France

Valerie D E S P R E T Z
BA, MA, MSSc (Couns), HKPCA, APCA (Hk), BACP (Uk)
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Valerie was born in France, raised in North Africa and lived in Asia most of her life. She is the mother of two adolescents, an expert problem-solver and a fiercely compassionate counselor. Her style is direct yet kind, her work is targeted yet flexible.

After a successful career in business management, where Valerie excelled at helping people overcome their professional difficulties and access their best abilities, she decided to pursue a long-standing interest in human psychology. Valerie has a Masters degree of Social Sciences in Counseling from the University of Hong Kong with a focus in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Positive Psychology.
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Dr Gracemary Leung was Valerie and Sarah's teacher and clinical supervisor. She offered the two of them to take over her private practice at the end of their Masters. This opportunity was the beginning of an amazing human adventure and a successful practice.

Valerie trained herself in additional modalities such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), relaxation and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Valerie also certified in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Level 1 & 2) to integrate body and mind and help her clients deal with big and small traumas. Valerie can consequently offer a holistic approach, strengths-oriented therapy that treats symptoms, empowers her clients and improves their overall well-being.
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Valerie decided to move back to her home country and continues the adventure by offering online sessions and creating Focus Thérapie between Lille and Paris.
 
Areas of Interest:
-       Depression / Self-worth
-       Anxiety / stress / Panic attacks
-       Trauma recovery / PTSD
-       Adjustment / grief / loss
-       Teenagers issues / bullying
-       Relationship issues / couple
-       Anger & difficult emotions management
-       General well-being / life enhancement
 

Our Hong Kong Team 

Sarah B R E I D E N B A C H
BA, MSSc (Couns), ACA, HKPCA, APCA (Hk)
 
Sarah worked in the US public health sector for nearly a decade before relocating to Hong Kong. She has been counseling for 16 years and specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety. She holds a Masters in Social Science (Counseling) with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma work and addiction psychology studies. 
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Sarah believes the basis of positive mental health is found in our relationships. As a mother and expat living in Asia for the past 11 years, she emphasizes the importance of friendship and trust with oneself and with others. By supporting adults, adolescents and couples to improve their relationships while honing skills to manage life stress, she applies counseling as an empowering tool to help people access their own inherent strength. Sarah advocates for the use of Mindfulness Meditation and is a certified level II practitioner of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). She believes these modalities are fundamental in treating long-standing issues and in creating tangible results for her clients. 
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Sarah has worked all over the world, including Latin America, Africa and now Asia. Sarah is also a certified yoga teacher and continues to study alternative systems of wellness including Buddhism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her treatment plans are known for being integrative and her counseling framework diverse, addressing one's full spectrum of needs. 

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Areas of Interest:
-       Depression, anxiety, panic disorder
-       Couples counseling / neurobiology regulation
-       Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) / trauma recovery
-       Adjustment disorder / Separation anxiety (adolescents)
-       Grief / bereavement
-       Pregnancy and fertility related issues
-       Eating disorders / body-image issues
-       Addiction
-       Anger management
Rinat P E R L M A N 
BA, MSSc (Couns)
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Rinat was born in Israel and moved to Hong Kong in 2001. She is a mother of 4 and has a broad life and professional experience, having served in the Israel Defense Force and worked in various senior management roles in a variety of fields.  Since 2007 Rinat has been teaching Yoga to individuals and groups.

 

Rinat has strong interpersonal skills, which help her establish rapport with clients and develop strong relationships. As a good listener, she is able to relate to clients with an open, nonjudgmental and accepting approach. She is very experienced with problem solving in all aspects of life and able to help clients identify and make changes in their life.  With a flexible attitude, Rinat has the ability to adapt and change her ways according to the client needs.

 

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Areas of Interest:
-       Depression / Self-worth
-       Anxiety / stress 
-       Teenagers issues 
-       Relationship issues
-       Couple Counseling
-       General well-being / life enhancement
 
Dr Gracemary K.H. L E U N G
PhD (London), MSc(clin) Exeter, MBA (Bournemouth), BA (Hons) Lon., C.Psychol, AFBPsS, AFHKPs
 
Dr. Gracemary Leung is a Chartered Clinical psychologist, an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and Associate Fellow of the HK Psychological Society.
 
Dr. Leung worked in the UK from 1978 where she initiated and managed care programs for the rehabilitation of people with schizophrenia and for behaviorally disturbed adolescents and children. From 1991, she served as the Director of Community Forensic services. Her clinical experience includes working with schizophrenia, violent and sex offenders, cognitive behavior therapy for pain patients, suicidal prevention and depressed patients, and problem Internet users and gamblers.
 
From Sept 2000, she taught in a variety of departments at The University of Hong Kong, including the roles of Director of Psychological Services Unit and Acting Director for Student Development and Counseling. Retiring in August 2006, she continues to offer courses part-time. She has also run many training workshops on communication, change management, stress management, and workplace violence both in corporate and governmental sectors.
 
Dr. Leung is a longstanding and sought after professor in Hong Kong and an expert in the field of mental health. She is not currently taking new clients but serves as Honorary Consultant to FOCUS Psychological Enrichment Centre.
 

F O C U S  Thérapie | Tel (33) 06 34 31 99 54 | valerie@focustherapie.com  | Lille | Paris | Hong Kong

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