Dr. Jonida Cepani

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Vienna

Schema Therapy in Vienna

Couple Therapy in Vienna

This is how you can imagine therapy as an example:

Initial consultation
(problem assessment and anamnesis)

Psychotherapeutic
diagnostics

Therapy goals
are determined
together

Therapy plan

The focal points of the
therapy are
continuously
evaluated and
adjusted if necessary

Practice in the first and sixth districts of Vienna.

Psychotherapist in training under clinical supervision (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

Advanced training in:
Schema Therapy
Diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders according to ICD-11
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Couple therapy

The way we think and feel has a significant impact on our behavior, relationships, and overall quality of life. I specialize in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. I support individuals overcome these challenges, through therapy.

Languages

English

(Near Native)

German

(Native)

Albanian

(Native)

Training and Education

AKH – General Hospital of the city of Vienna – University Hospital for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
550 hours of clinical training

Association for Behavior Modification Specialized training in Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Advanced training in:
Schema therapy
Diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders according to ICD-11

General training in Psychotherapy Propädeutikum (ÖTZ NLP)

Sigmund Freud University Outpatient Clinic
480 hours training

University of Vienna

Jurisprudence Doctorate (Dr.iur.)

London School of Economics and Political Science
LL.M. (Master of Laws)

Memberships

Austrian Professional Association for Psychotherapy

International Coach Federation (ICF)
Professional certified coach, PCC
(2000+ coaching hours)

Forms of therapy

I offer cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), couple therapy and schema therapy in Vienna, Austria.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying or changing a person’s problematic behaviors, thoughts, and emotions through various techniques and strategies. The therapy is often short-term and goal-oriented, with the goal of helping individuals develop practical skills to manage their mental health challenges effectively.

CBT can provide lasting benefits due to its focus on equipping individuals with practical tools that can be utilized beyond the duration of the treatment. Compared to relying solely on medication, which carries a higher risk of relapse after discontinuation in cases of diagnosed mental condition, CBT can offer greater sustainability in terms of long-term management and prevention of relapse.

Reasons for psychotherapy

You do not necessarily have to be in a crisis to receive psychotherapy. In fact, from a therapeutic perspective, it can be beneficial to identify and treat problems early on before they have a greater impact on your life.

In any case, the following reasons speak in favor of starting psychotherapy / individual therapy: (Source: Austrian Professional Association for Psychotherapy)

You feel unmotivated and indifferent, exhausted, or constantly overwhelmed

You feel often depressed and no longer feel any joy

You are in a relationship that is causing you a lot of stress

You feel sad and lonely

You are in a stressful situation of upheaval (e.g. serious illness, death, unemployment, divorce, separation, accident, etc.) that is difficult to cope with

You repeatedly have major problems in contact with other people(e.g. at work or in partnerships)

You feel permanently overwhelmed by your children

You have pain, trouble sleeping, dizziness, or other physical ailments and the doctor cannot determine a physical cause

For a long time, you have been keeping yourself up only with stimulants, sedatives or sleeping pills (psychotropic drugs)

For no apparent reason, you get racing heart palpitations and fear that you are going to die

You have fears that burden or limit you: e.g., of contact with your fellow human beings, of authority, of large places, of confined spaces, of exams

You are often plagued by thoughts that you dare not talk about with anyone (feelings of shame and guilt, feelings of hatred, feelings of inadequacy, the feeling of being persecuted or determined by others, etc.)

You sometimes think of suicide and/or your suffering is very great

You are addicted – to alcohol, drugs, food, shopping, love, gambling

You feel internally compelled to think or do the same things all the time (e.g., compulsive washing, locking up, brooding, and the like), even though this constricts your life a great deal

You are afraid of making decisions

Schema Therapy

Schema therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that focuses on recognizing and modifying harmful thinking, emotional, and behavioral patterns developed from past experiences. These negative schemas can result in feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-worth, as well as impair relationships and daily functioning.

Schema therapy employs a blend of cognitive, behavioral, and emotion-focused methodologies to identify and modify negative patterns. As a client in therapy, you will collaborate with me, your therapist, to pinpoint these unfavorable patterns, grasp their impact on your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, actions, and interpersonal connections.

By engaging in this process, you can break free from your negative patterns and cultivate more satisfying and wholesome personal and professional relationships.

Below are a few examples of schematic patterns that may yield unfavorable outcomes:

Distrust

Abandonment

Emotional
deprivation

Defectiveness

Social Isolation

Subjugation

Self-sacrifice

Dependence

Entanglement

Failure

Relentless
demands

Inadequate
self-control

Emotional
inhibition

Schema therapy is designed to assist you in overcoming your negative patterns, by addressing all facets of the particular scheme or pattern, including thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, behaviors, and relationships.

Couple therapy

Couple therapy or relationship therapy can be helpful in many situations, for example, if you:

Strive for a better quality of relationship
Often feel lonely and misunderstood in your relationship
Are experiencing difficult phases of life such as job loss, overwork or illness which puts a strain on your relationship
Face conflicts over issues such as loyalty, dealing with the partner's family, jealousy or raising children and these conflicts are the order of the day
Do not experience your sexuality or no longer experience it satisfactorily
Have different needs for closeness/distance or autonomy/commonality that cannot be reconciled
Your trust has been shaken by an external relationship
Have an unfulfilled desire to have children that puts a strain on your relationship
Want to come to a decision whether you want to separate or still have a future together
Are in separation/divorce and are looking for a way to say goodbye respectfully and appreciatively or to remain co-parenting
Perceive an open or polyamorous relationship constellation as difficult or painful

Couple therapy includes couples of all constellations and, of course, LGBTQIA+ people. In addition to two-person relationships, the term relationship also includes other relationship constellations.

In all these cases, couple or relationship therapy can help you grow together and develop positively.

Depression

Depression is a mental illness that is diagnosed by professionals using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) criteria. It is identified by the presence of one or several symptoms, which include:

Lethargy

Do you usually feel depressed, sad, empty or irritable?

Loss of interest

You don’t feel joy anymore. Have you lost interest in things and activities that you used to enjoy?

Insomnia

You can’t fall asleep, or you keep waking up at night, or you wake up too early and can’t go back to sleep. Do you have serious changes in sleep habits, such as sleeping late during the day or sleeping much more at night?

Changes in appetite/eating behavior

When experiencing depression, you may have a decreased appetite and lose interest in food, resulting in eating too little and experiencing weight loss. Or do you rather turn to food for comfort and consume more than usual as a way of filling a sense of emptiness?

Restlessness or slowing down

Are you experiencing feelings of either restlessness and tension or slowness and sluggishness?

Energy loss

Are you feeling exhausted and depleted, to the point where even small tasks seem overwhelming? In severe cases, you may find it challenging to carry out everyday activities such as showering, getting dressed, grocery shopping, and cooking.

Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

Do you experience feelings of worthlessness or self-hatred? Do you find yourself getting angry with yourself for not being able to overcome your depression? Perhaps you believe that it’s your fault that your personal and work life are being affected by depression, or that depression is a punishment of some kind.

Concentration

Do you face challenges with concentration and decision-making, often finding that thinking itself can be a difficult task.

Suicidal thoughts

You feel hopeless, think that life is not worth living or that you would rather be dead. Or you believe that others would be better off without you. You may dream of committing suicide and actually have a plan for where, when, and how you might commit suicide. It’s important that you share all of your thoughts about suicide with your therapist. If at any time during treatment you feel that you may be attempting suicide or doing any form of self-harm, contact your therapist immediately. If you can’t reach your therapist, contact the nearest emergency room.

Depression can be accompanied by various other issues:

Aside from feeling down, you may experience irritability or anxiety.
Physical symptoms related to stress, such as abdominal pain or headaches, may also arise.
Additionally, some individuals may struggle with substance abuse, eating disorders, or attention deficit disorder in conjunction with their depression.
Moreover, some people with depression may also experience episodes of mania.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression

Studies have indicated that cognitive behavioral therapy is equally or more effective than other treatments, including antidepressants. The long-term effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy is attributed to its ability to equip individuals with tools to overcome their issues rather than simply treating them.

If you suspect that you might be suffering from depression, it is crucial to seek medical and psychotherapeutic assistance to manage your symptoms effectively. Depression is not likely to resolve on its own, and seeking help is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it demonstrates strength and self-care. Various effective treatments are available for depression, and the sooner you seek support, the sooner you can start feeling better and enhance your quality of life.

High functioning depression

(„atypical depression“)

Depression can present itself differently in various individuals, although typically, it results in reduced motivation and social isolation. People affected by depression tend to experience a decline in their ability to function and may struggle to manage daily life. However, this is not the case in atypical depression, which exhibits distinct characteristics.

Atypical depression is characterized by ongoing feelings of emptiness, sadness, and other symptoms of depression, despite the individual’s success in their personal or professional life. Those affected by this type of depression may find it challenging to seek assistance as they may feel ashamed or fear that admitting their symptoms could negatively impact their performance.

“Life’s ups and downs” vs. high functioning depression

Distinguishing between life’s ordinary fluctuations and atypical depression can be challenging since individuals with atypical depression can still function in their daily lives despite their condition. Consequently, they may overlook their emotional distress, assuming it is part of life’s natural ups and downs. However, if not addressed, atypical depression can worsen and transform into major depression.

How can you tell that you might be suffering from atypical depression?

Answer yes/no to the following questions.

Do you often feel overloaded and exhausted, even though you appear outwardly stable?

Do you feel emotionally numb and hardly feel any joy?

Do you constantly have thoughts of failure and fear of failure in connection with relentless demands on yourself, a tendency towards perfectionism and/or low self-esteem?

Do you hide your inner turmoil and suffering behind a facade of control and efficiency?

Does your heavy workload serve to distract you from symptoms of depression?

Are you highly emotional but constantly suppressing your own feelings?

Are you suppressing your depressive symptoms through excessive alcohol consumption or abuse of other substances? Or, for instance, by „binge watching,“ binge scrolling through social media, or excessive shopping?

It is only possible for psychotherapists to make a psychotherapeutic diagnosis. However, atypical depression could be present if most of the questions are answered with “Yes”.

Job - Burnout

Burnout is a type of work-related stress that can cause individuals to experience physical and emotional exhaustion. As a result, they may feel less effective and experience a sense of losing their personal identity.

Do you suffer from burnout symptoms? Check the list below:

Lack of motivation

Frequent thinking about
having to have a better job

Lack of enthusiasm

Feeling that the work is pointless

Negative feelings towards colleagues

Frequent signs of fatigue

A marked deterioration in work performance

Little time or energy for hobbies

Increased irritability

Chronic missing of appointments
and deadlines

Frequent tardiness to work

Frequent occurrence of
simple mistakes at work

Conflicts with colleagues

Initially, the signs of job burnout may only be mildly apparent. However, once these symptoms emerge, it is unlikely that they will resolve on their own. If the effects of burnout are disregarded without taking action you will likely experience a worsening of your symptoms.

How is burnout treated

Treatment options may include stress management techniques and cognitive behavioral therapy, which can help in managing the symptoms of burnout. The objective of therapy is to identify the root cause of the issue, acknowledge how burnout is affecting your life, and establish healthy practices to manage symptoms. Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a qualified psychotherapist to receive the necessary support, as burnout is unlikely to resolve on its own.

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are mental conditions in which people experience excessive and uncontrollable anxiety that interferes with their daily lives. There are different types of anxiety disorders.

Types of anxiety disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAS)

In GAS, people suffer from persistent, excessive worry and anxiety, often without a specific trigger.

Panic disorder

People with panic disorder experience sudden and unexpected bouts of intense anxiety accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Social anxiety disorder

In this disorder, sufferers fear social situations and are afraid of embarrassing themselves or being judged negatively.

Specific phobias

In a specific phobia, sufferers fear a particular situation or object, such as airplanes or spiders.

Agoraphobia

People with agoraphobia fear situations in which they cannot quickly and easily withdraw from a situation, such as elevators, public transportation, or crowds.

Treatment of anxiety disorders

In Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, there are several approaches to treating anxiety disorders that can be used depending on the type of anxiety disorder and the individual needs and circumstances.

Some of the common treatment approaches are:

Confrontation techniques

Confrontation techniques are a type of behavioral therapy used to treat anxiety disorders. This method involves gradually and systematically exposing the individual to the feared situation or object in a controlled environment to help them overcome their anxiety.

Cognitive methods

This approach aims to identify and change the negative thought patterns that lead to anxiety. Cognitive methods support individuals identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their emotional distress (for example anxiety) and find new ways to approach their problems and challenges.

Relaxation techniques

This approach aims to relax the body and reduce the anxiety response by learning techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, or breathing exercises.

Social skills training

This approach refers to improving the individual’s skills in dealing with social situations that may lead to anxiety. The therapist works with the client to improve social skills and develop strategies to manage social situations.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very effective in treating anxiety disorders, and many clients experience significant improvement in their symptoms after just a few sessions.

How can psychotherapy help?

Psychotherapy can help in several ways, such as:

Support to identify where, when and how problems occur.
Developing coping strategies for specific symptoms and problems.
Strengthening resilience and self-management.
Support in recognizing and changing negative behaviors.
Support in recognizing and promoting positive behaviors.
Treatment of traumatic experiences from the past.
Development of goals and perspectives.
Building self-confidence.

Psychotherapy is suitable for adults, adolescents, and couples.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality requirement is regulated by law and applies to all psychotherapists licensed in Austria. According to § 15 Psychotherapy Act, Federal Law Gazette No. 361/1990, as amended, psychotherapists and their assisting staff are obliged to maintain secrecy about all contents entrusted to them or become known to them in the exercise of their profession.

Organizational questions

Duration and cost of a session

A session (in person or online) lasts 50 minutes and costs Euro 100. A session of couple therapy lasts 90 minutes and costs a total of 180 Eur per couple.

Duration of therapy

The duration of therapy is individual and depends on the specific case and problem. Generally, improvements are visible after only a few sessions.

Are online appointments possible?

Online appointments are possible depending on the individual case.

Payment methods

Cash payment and bank transfer at the end of each the session or Paypal payment prior to beginning of the session.

You will receive an invoice with all relevant data.

Appointments and cancellation policy

How do I make an appointment?

You have the following alternatives to make appointments:

1. Online: There you can also see immediately which times are bookable.

2. By E-Mail

3. By phone: +43 (0) 1 9436276

How do I cancel an appointment?

Your booked appointments are reserved exclusively for you. Please cancel arranged appointments at least 48 hours (2 working days!) in advance. You can do this at any time by calling 01 943 62 76. If I am not available, please leave a message on my mobile box. You can also send cancellations by e-mail to info@psychotherapie-wien1.at.

In case of cancellation less than 48 hours or no show, the full hourly rate will be charged. This rule also applies to online appointments, as preparation time is necessary here as well. Unfortunately, if you are late for an appointment, the appointment cannot usually be extended.

Emergencies

In emergencies, please contact the following emergency numbers:

Ambulance: 144 and Psychosocial Service (PSD) Vienna, (24 hour emergency call).

Tel: 01 313 30

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or e-mail.