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F O C U S

Thérapie

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Who We Are

A professional counseling team, based in Lille 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

F O C U S  Thérapie | Tel (33) 06 34 31 99 54 | valerie@focustherapie.com | 55 Boulevard Emile Zola  | 59170 Croix |

F O C U S  Thérapie | 55 Boulevard Emile Zola  | 59170 Croix 

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