Psychology and Neuropsychology in Palamos: Mental Health and Wellbeing

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific discipline that studies human behaviour, mental processes and emotions. At Clínica Eupnea Palamós, our psychology service offers professional, personalised care to help people improve their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The psychology team is made up of two registered professionals. Sra. Carla Sidro runs the general practice for adults, adolescents and children. Sra. Miruna Mihaila joins Clínica Eupnea specialising in neuropsychology, geriatric psychology, autism (ASD) and ADHD, couples therapy and child therapy, and is the one who carries out neuropsychological assessments, including those for children.

We work with evidence-based techniques and a personal approach. Everyone arrives with a different history, so the intervention is adjusted to age, life stage and reason for consultation.

Clinical psychology not only addresses mental disorders but also promotes personal growth, emotional management and the acquisition of practical tools to face the challenges of everyday life. From anxiety and depression to difficulties in personal relationships, sleep problems or grief, our professionals support patients throughout their process of improvement.

In Palamós and the Baix Empordà, we offer a safe and confidential space where people can express themselves freely and work towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

What do we treat in Psychology?

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders: generalised anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, social anxiety.
• Depression and mood disorders: major depression, dysthymia, persistent sadness.
• Stress and burnout: work-related stress, chronic stress, burnout syndrome.
• Grief and loss: support through grieving processes following the loss of loved ones.
• Couples therapy: communication, crises in living together, jealousy, break-ups and family difficulties.
• Trauma and post-traumatic stress: traumatic experiences, PTSD, emotional recovery.
• Sleep disorders: insomnia, difficulty sleeping, circadian rhythm disturbances.
• Self-esteem and insecurity: low self-esteem, lack of confidence, excessive self-criticism.
• Social skills and communication: assertiveness, communication difficulties, shyness.
• Child and adolescent therapy: behavioural problems, learning difficulties, childhood anxiety, fears and family changes.
• Neuropsychology: memory, attention, language and executive functions, in children and adults.
• Child neuropsychological assessment: learning difficulties, suspected ADHD or developmental delay.
• Autism (ASD) and ADHD: profile assessment, guidance for the family and coordination with the school.
• Geriatric psychology: memory complaints, cognitive decline, retirement, loneliness and carer support.
• Personal development: self-awareness, emotional management, defining life goals.

Therapeutic Approaches in Psychology at Clínica Eupnea Palamós

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioural therapy is the approach with the greatest scientific evidence for treating anxiety, depression and many other psychological disorders. It is based on the relationship between thoughts, emotions and behaviours, and helps the patient identify and modify dysfunctional thought patterns to achieve positive, lasting changes in their everyday life.

Mindfulness and stress management

Mindfulness techniques allow patients to develop greater awareness of the present moment, reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. Through meditation practices and breathing exercises, patients learn to better manage stressful situations and cultivate a state of inner calm.

Couple and family therapy

Couple and family therapy addresses the relational dynamics that generate conflict or distress within the family unit or the romantic relationship. It works on effective communication, conflict resolution and the strengthening of emotional bonds, with the aim of improving coexistence and relational satisfaction.

Child therapy and child and adolescent psychology

Child therapy calls for an approach matched to each child's developmental stage. We use play therapy, narrative therapy and work with the parents to address emotional difficulties, behavioural problems, learning difficulties and situations of change such as a separation, a change of school or the arrival of a sibling. Parents are part of the process: without them, changes at home are hard to sustain.

Support in grief and emotional crises

The grieving process following the loss of a loved one, a romantic breakup or any other significant loss can be very difficult to face. We offer therapeutic support to help people work through grief in a healthy way, processing their emotions and finding ways to adapt to the new reality.

Personal development and self-awareness

You do not need to suffer from a disorder to benefit from psychology. We work with people who wish to know themselves better, improve their social skills, set clear life goals and develop their full potential. Self-awareness is the foundation for a fuller and more conscious life.

Child and adult neuropsychology

Neuropsychology studies how cognitive functions work (memory, attention, language, executive functions) and how they relate to behaviour and learning. In children it helps make sense of school, attention or developmental difficulties; in adults it assesses memory complaints or cognitive changes after a neurological problem. Following the assessment, we draw up a cognitive stimulation or rehabilitation plan suited to each person.

Child neuropsychological assessment

When a school notices that a child is not progressing as expected, a child neuropsychological assessment helps explain why. The examination measures attention, working memory, processing speed, language, reading and writing and executive functions using standardised tests, and is completed with parent interviews and information from the school. The outcome is a report setting out a clear cognitive profile and specific recommendations for home and for the classroom, which also serves as a supporting document for the educational psychology service or the paediatrician.

Autism (ASD) and ADHD

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD are often picked up when a child's pace does not match that of the group: social contact is hard, routines are very rigid, or there is inattention and impulsivity that do not improve with time. We work on assessing the profile, behaviour guidance at home, social skills training and coordination with the school. We also support adults who receive an ADHD diagnosis late, after years of difficult organisation and frustration.

Geriatric psychology

Geriatric psychology looks after older people and those around them. Here we assess memory complaints in order to tell ordinary age-related forgetfulness from early cognitive decline, and we work on adjusting to retirement, loss of independence, loneliness and grief. Carer support is a significant part of it: someone caring for a relative with dementia usually arrives exhausted and feeling guilty, and needs tools and a space of their own.

Who will see you

Sra. Carla Sidro, psychologist. She sees adults, adolescents and children in general practice: anxiety, depression, stress, grief and times of change.

Sra. Miruna Mihaila, psychologist and neuropsychologist. She handles neuropsychology and neuropsychological assessments (for children and adults), geriatric psychology, autism (ASD) and ADHD, couples therapy and child therapy. To book with her, say so when you call.

Reference source: General Council of Psychology of Spain (COP).