Isabel Alfonso

Hello!

I am a Psychologist and a Focusing-Oriented Therapist.

Growing up in a family with big emotions, I naturally fell into the role of listener and pacifier, and became very attuned to cues of the emotional states of others.

My listening skills developed further with Nonviolent Communication, which taught me to listen beyond words, for people’s feelings and needs. Then, during my 4-year training as a Focusing-Oriented Therapist, I learned that what is most important is to teach people how to listen to themselves.

While Nonviolent Communication and Focusing taught me about listening, my psychology degree gave me the scientific knowledge. It taught me what research shows about human behaviour and evidence-based practice.

My approach to therapy integrates both worlds. I combine strategies from conventional talk therapy, such as CBT, ACT and DBT, with Focusing-Oriented Therapy, an experiential, body-based and evidence-based practice.

In my work at non-profit organisations and in private practice, I found this combination best to generate positive change in young people and adults alike.

During sessions, I like to offer practical tools to help clients cope better from the start. I also may provide psychoeducation, that is, research findings on a particular topic or theoretical explanations for a behaviour.

At the same time, I facilitate self-exploration and self-connection because, ultimately, only you know what is best for you. I can only help you look inside yourself for the answer.