Hi I'm YAËLLE
HOW DO I WORK ?
Yaëlle is a therapist in Barcelona specializing in trauma therapy, offering sessions tailored to meet your unique needs. I studied and certified in Sexology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Wingwave (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Family Constellations and Emotional Kinesiology. I offer individual and couples therapy.
My expertise lies in helping those who have experienced childhood abuse and trauma. I also support expats and the LGBTQ+ community, providing a safe and understanding environment. Additionally, I also love to work on issues related to different cultures, religions, and the stigma surrounding mental health.
Having lived, studied, and worked in various countries is one of my hardest yet most profound experiences. My life has been a journey through different cultural and religious landscapes, giving me unique insights into navigating and resolving conflicts. I combine this real-world experience with my professional training to offer a compassionate and practical approach to therapy.
My experiences shaped the way I nowadays consider therapy. My approach to therapy focuses on identifying and understanding your patterns and traumas, exploring how they were generated, and addressing their impact on your present life. I integrate cognitive techniques, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and methods like WingWave (EMDR), emotional kinesiology, and imagination work to provide a comprehensive approach to healing.
Cognitive therapy helps address current thought patterns, aiming to identify and modify those that negatively impact behaviors and emotions. IFS aids in understanding and harmonizing different parts of the self, facilitating deeper healing and self-understanding. WingWave and other tools assist in managing subconscious influences, body symptoms, and hidden traumas.
Choosing the right approach can be complex, so I tailor methods to fit the specific needs of each session and your therapeutic goals. I’m happy to discuss which methods might work best for you, so feel free to reach out.
One more thing to know, and an important one… I see therapy as a collaborative process where you are actively engaged. My role is to provide you with tools and guidance, but the work and growth come from your efforts. I aim to empower you to manage difficulties and foster personal growth, supporting you on your journey to achieving your goals.
MY STORY & STUDIES
Originally from France, I earned a double Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Business from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. My studies focused on neuropsychology and biopsychology, and I had the opportunity early on to work with Holocaust survivors. This experience exposed me to deep trauma and PTSD, and also led me to volunteer with individuals with schizophrenia.
I then pursued a Master’s in Psychology at Université Laval in Canada, where I began a Doctorate in Research and Clinical Psychology. My research explored callous-unemotional traits in children and their relation to rejection and victimization at school. After a year, I decided to leave Canada to create the MISTAG project and moved to Barcelona. There, I completed three Master’s degrees: Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sexology and Couples Therapy at Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos (ISEP). Seeking to enhance my approach to the subconscious, I became certified in WingWave coaching and Emotional Kinesiology, and am IFS-informed.
My diverse educational and professional journey has deepened my understanding of how cultural differences and stigma impact therapy. I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with people from all over the world.
Today, I work with clients globally, continually striving to understand both their personal experiences and the cultural contexts of their diagnoses. This holistic approach enables me to provide the most adaptive and effective treatment.
“We need to change the view we nowadays have on mental illnesses and on anyone experiencing it. Then it will completely change the way therapy is seen and done.”
With MISTAG, I interview people from around the world who share their experiences with mental illness. Some have recovered, some have not, but all are committed to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding mental health. Our interviews show that mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of nationality, religion, skin color, gender, or socioeconomic status.
I believe breaking the stigma means reaching both those who are familiar and those who are unfamiliar with living through mental illness.
Each person interviewed in MISTAG brings a unique message and experience, often speaking different languages (with all interviews subtitled in English). The questions go beyond the illness itself, delving into who they are and what they enjoy. Too often, discussions about mental health overlook the whole person.
The name MISTAG reflects this mission: derived from “stigma,” it highlights how mental health diagnoses often result in labeling (being “mistagged”) and overlooks the beautiful complexity of each individual’s personality.