Consultations possibles en français, anglais et espagnol.

This FAQ section brings together answers to the questions most frequently asked by people considering starting therapy at Malaga Therapy. It is natural — and encouraged — to have questions when choosing a therapeutic framework and a professional to work with. The information below addresses the topics we are most often asked about. If your question is not covered here, you are welcome to contact us.

Some people experience a sense of relief as soon as they decide to start therapy or after their first session. Making the choice to seek support can already feel like a step forward. However, it is common not to feel immediate improvement. Therapy often involves looking at oneself and one’s life with honesty and depth, which can temporarily bring up discomfort or emotional intensity. This does not mean that therapy is not working. On the contrary, it is often part of the process. Therapy is not designed to offer instant relief, but to support meaningful and lasting change. Over time, many people notice greater emotional stability, clearer understanding of themselves, and more flexibility in how they respond to difficulties. These changes may be gradual, but they tend to be more sustainable.

It is not uncommon for one partner to feel hesitant or resistant about starting therapy. People may associate therapy with weakness, fear being judged, feel unsure about change, or simply not feel ready at that moment. If possible, it can be helpful to talk openly with your partner about their concerns and what therapy would — and would not — involve. In some cases, knowing that an initial session is simply an assessment, without any obligation to continue, can make the idea feel more accessible. That said, therapy cannot be forced. Each person has their own rhythm and readiness. If your partner is not willing to attend, starting therapy on your own can still be meaningful. Individual work can help you gain clarity, understand relational patterns, and explore changes that may positively influence the relationship. While couple therapy is often most effective when both partners are involved, individual therapy can be a valuable first step when joint work is not yet possible.

Online therapy offers flexibility, accessibility, and continuity, and can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many people. It is particularly well suited for individuals living abroad, travelling frequently, or seeking support from a distance. Online therapy works best when you feel comfortable using technology and have access to a quiet, private space where you can speak freely and without interruption. It is appropriate for a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns, especially when symptoms are mild to moderate. However, online therapy is not suitable for all situations. In cases of acute crisis, immediate risk, or severe psychiatric emergencies, in-person or emergency services are more appropriate. This can be discussed together if concerns arise. If you are unsure whether online therapy is the right option for you, this can be explored during an initial consultation, allowing us to determine the most appropriate and supportive framework for your situation.

The duration of therapy varies from one person to another and depends on individual needs, goals, and the nature of the difficulties being addressed. For some, therapy may be short-term — for example, 4 to 10 sessions — when working on a specific issue, life transition, or clearly identified difficulty. For others, therapy may be medium- or long-term, particularly when exploring recurring patterns, deeper emotional processes, or questions related to identity, relationships, or long-term personal growth. There is no predefined length imposed at the outset. The pace and duration of therapy are discussed collaboratively and reviewed over time, allowing the process to adapt to what feels appropriate and meaningful for you.

Self-help books can be valuable sources of insight and reflection, and many people find them helpful at different moments in their lives. However, they are necessarily based on generalisations, theoretical models, or other people’s experiences. Psychotherapy offers something fundamentally different: a personalised and relational process. Rather than applying general advice, therapy adapts to your specific history, emotional patterns, and current life context. The work unfolds in response to what emerges in the moment, allowing for depth, nuance, and flexibility. Another essential difference is the therapeutic relationship itself. Change often occurs not only through understanding, but through being heard, accompanied, and reflected within a stable and professional relationship. Therapy provides a space of accountability, emotional containment, and continuity that a book cannot offer. While self-help resources can support reflection, psychotherapy offers a living process in which insight, emotional integration, and meaningful change can develop over time.

No. Therapists at Malaga Therapy do not prescribe medication. When medication may be relevant, we can refer you to a qualified medical professional — such as a psychiatrist or medical doctor — who is authorised to assess and prescribe medication if appropriate. When needed, therapeutic and medical care can take place in parallel, with your consent. Our role is to support you through psychological and therapeutic work, while collaborating with medical professionals when this is in your best interest.

Yes. Malaga Therapy works with children and adolescents and has experience in supporting them through emotional, relational, and developmental difficulties. Working with younger clients requires a specific approach based on trust, safety, and age-appropriate communication. Particular attention is given to building a secure therapeutic relationship and adapting the work to the child’s or teenager’s developmental stage, emotional needs, and family context. When relevant, collaboration with parents or caregivers is included as part of the therapeutic process, while always respecting the child’s or adolescent’s space and confidentiality within the therapeutic framework.

Infidelity can take many forms — sexual, emotional, online, or relational — and is often experienced as a profound rupture of trust. It is a deeply painful experience that can leave both partners feeling destabilised, hurt, or uncertain about the future of the relationship. While some relationships do end following betrayal, it is important to know that repair is sometimes possible. When both partners are willing to engage in an honest and committed process, therapy can provide a structured and contained space to explore what has happened, address the impact of the betrayal, and begin the work of rebuilding trust and communication. This process takes time and cannot be rushed. It involves understanding the relational dynamics, acknowledging emotional pain on both sides, and clarifying whether and how the relationship can evolve. Therapy does not aim to erase what has happened, but to help determine whether a new relational foundation can be built with greater awareness and integrity.

Frequency of sessions is discussed collaboratively and depends on your needs, availability, and the nature of the work. Many people begin with weekly sessions, particularly at the start of therapy, as this helps create continuity and supports the therapeutic process. Over time, sessions may be spaced differently depending on how things evolve. Therapy is adapted to your rhythm rather than following a fixed schedule.

There is no predefined number of sessions. Some people come to therapy for a specific issue and may feel satisfied after a few sessions. Others choose to engage in medium- or longer-term work to explore deeper or recurring patterns. The duration of therapy depends on your situation, your goals, and how the process unfolds. These aspects are reviewed over time, and therapy can be paused, adjusted, or concluded when it feels appropriate.

Yes. Malaga Therapy offers evening sessions, with appointments available up to 10:00 pm. These sessions are part of the regular therapeutic schedule and are planned in advance. In exceptional situations, night-time emergency visits can be arranged. This service is reserved for existing patients and is provided only when clinically justified. Night emergency interventions involve travel and immediate availability and therefore follow a specific fee structure. They are not part of standard therapy sessions and are handled on a case-by-case basis. Emergency availability does not replace regular therapeutic work and does not function as a permanent on-call service.

Malaga Therapy may be appropriate if you are looking for structured psychotherapy rather than coaching, advice, or short-term emotional support. The work is suited to people who want to understand recurring difficulties, emotional patterns, or internal conflicts rather than only relieve symptoms. It is also relevant if you are living abroad, managing high responsibility, or navigating a life transition that has affected your internal balance. A first consultation allows us to clarify whether your situation fits the therapeutic framework and whether this approach corresponds to what you are looking for.

Yes. Therapy at Malaga Therapy is strictly confidential and protected by professional secrecy and data protection regulations. Everything shared during sessions is covered by confidentiality, including personal information and the content of the work. No information is shared with third parties without your explicit consent, except in rare situations required by law (such as immediate risk of serious harm or legal obligation). Confidentiality is a fundamental condition of therapeutic work. It is what makes it possible to speak freely and work in depth.

Yes. Malaga Therapy works primarily online, which allows therapy to continue even if you live abroad or move frequently. Sessions can be maintained across countries and time zones, within an agreed therapeutic schedule. This is particularly suitable for expatriates, international professionals, and people with mobile lifestyles. What matters is not your location, but the continuity of the therapeutic work. The framework remains the same, whether sessions take place online or occasionally in person.

Yes. Malaga Therapy works with professionals, leaders, and executives who face high levels of responsibility, pressure, and decision-making. Executive therapy focuses on psychological stability, emotional regulation, and long-term internal sustainability rather than performance coaching. It offers a confidential space where strategic roles, professional identity, and personal functioning can be explored without organisational consequences. This work is adapted to demanding schedules and to the specific psychological challenges linked to leadership, expatriation, and high-responsibility positions.

Sessions at Malaga Therapy are offered in English, French, and Spanish. The language of therapy is chosen according to what feels most natural and emotionally accessible for you. For many expatriates, working in their mother tongue or in a familiar language makes it easier to express complex feelings and personal experiences. Language is part of the therapeutic frame and is agreed at the beginning of the work.

Yes. Therapy can continue even if you move to another country. Because Malaga Therapy works primarily online, sessions can be maintained across borders and time zones. This is particularly suited to international and expatriate lifestyles, where mobility is part of life. What is important is not where you are physically located, but the continuity of the therapeutic process. The therapeutic framework remains the same, even when your place of residence changes.

Malaga Therapy does not operate as an emergency or crisis service in the usual sense. Therapy is based on planned sessions and structured psychological work, not on immediate or continuous availability. In exceptional situations, night-time emergency interventions can be arranged. This service is reserved for existing patients only, and only when it is clinically justified. These emergency visits involve immediate availability and possible travel and therefore follow a specific fee structure. They are handled on a case-by-case basis and do not replace regular therapeutic work. For acute or life-threatening emergencies, patients are advised to contact local emergency services.

All sessions are paid at the time of booking and reserved specifically for you. This time cannot be reassigned at short notice. – If you reschedule or cancel at least 48 hours in advance, no fee is charged. – If you cancel the day before the session, 50% of the session fee is retained. – If you cancel on the same day or do not attend the session, 100% of the session fee is retained. These conditions are part of the therapeutic framework and support consistency and fairness for all patients. For full details, please refer to the Terms & Conditions page.