Talk Therapy II- Branch Out

Welcome English-Speaking Clients to Your Practice in 12 Weeks.

Gain the language, support, and experience you need for your first English therapy sessions – in a safe, non-judgmental space.

You’re a mental health professional ready to expand your horizons.

Whether that’s by moving abroad or helping clients from different cultures in your hometown, you want to grow your practice in new directions.

There’s just one thing holding you back: English. With endless tools, resources and websites out there, it’s hard to know where to start. 

Should you enrol in English classes at your local language school?

 Try to pass the Cambridge Proficiency exam?

Sign up for clinical training in English?

…Or turn to ChatGPT for help?

(who knew humans would one day ask AI to teach them about human communication!?)

While these options sound useful in theory, none of them are really specialized enough for your needs. And in mental health treatment, specificity is key.

I WONDER…

Do any of these thoughts resonate with you?

“What if I get stuck in a session and my mind goes totally blank?”

“My English is so basic; I should use much more advanced vocabulary”

“If I tell clients I don’t understand what they’re saying, I’ll seem unprofessional.”

“I just speak but have no idea what kind of mistakes I might be making with clients”

If so, you’re not alone! You’re more than just a calming presence in a cosy chair- you’re human, too, with your own fears, doubts, and limitations.  

Labeling this in clients as cognitive distortions or the topdog might be easy. But making space to experience it yourself? That’s another story.  

Effective therapy in English isn’t about speaking “perfectly” — if that even exists.

IT’S ABOUT PURPOSEFUL, PRECISE COMMUNICATION.

 Yes, language is integral to therapy; that’s why it’s called talk therapy.

 But flawless pronunciation, zero hesitations and never making mistakes? That’s an unattainable standard even lifelong speakers struggle with.

It’s time to quiet the superego and shift your focus to language proficiency instead.

And as a teacher and former therapist, I’ve learned a thing or two about that.

Wait… who is this, you may ask?

Hi. I’m Sophie, a humanistic therapist turned English teacher… and (hopefully) your new guide to finding your voice in English.

I won’t bore you with the full self-disclosure (we have enough to discuss), but I’ve always been torn between languages and psychology. 

 After finishing a degree in Spanish and English literature and linguistics, I felt like something was missing. 

An insight struck me during my gap year in Australia: I wanted to understand how humans speak- and think and feel.

Fast-forward through a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Psychology, clinical placements, a few private clients in three different languages… and I began to miss English. 

So, I qualified as a teacher and combined my passions to help other therapists develop their language skills to expand their practices and help more people. 

LONG STORY SHORT?

 You can think of me as a psychotherapist for your English. 

 I create a safe, judgment-free space for mental health professionals (like you!) to explore, experiment, hesitate, make mistakes and grow in English. I’m not here to judge your approach with clients, just to help you continue the great work you already do— in English.

Holding sessions in English might feel intimidating now. But with steady support, you can build confidence step by step.

Battling analysis paralysis and a harsh inner critic doesn’t leave much energy to truly grow your English. Here’s what you can learn to do instead:

 → Understand what language skills to focus on and how to practice effectively.

→ Gain clarity on your strengths and weaknesses to pinpoint objective areas for growth.

→ Embrace mistakes as part of the process and set more realistic goals for yourself.

→ Trust you can pivot when things don’t go as planned (and when do they ever?)

→ Feel ready to connect with English-speaking clients professionally—and authentically.

So, what’s the plan? Let’s dive in —

COME AND MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE INSIDE...

Therapy Talk Level 2: Branch Out

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Therapy Talk Level 2: Branch Out —

A live 12-week course that guides you step by step towards your first therapy sessions in English, so you can open up your practice — and your world !

Over 12 intimate sessions alone or with up to two other mental health professionals, you will:

Grow confidence in English

More specifically, you’ll be able to tackle the key tasks of your first sessions in English, including connecting with resistant clients, or managing challenging situations.

Evolve as a therapist

We’re using English, but we’re role-playing therapy sessions. So every week provides a chance to stretch your language skills, broaden your perspectives and reflect on your practice.

Have fun along the way!

It's not just possible to have fun, it’s crucial— learning habits need be enjoyable to stick long term. These classes are designed to be both effective and engaging.

I love that we are practising therapy skills as well as English! By practising in the context of therapy, my English is getting more nuanced, more focused on feelings, more colourful, and more alive. I feel more fluent than at the beginning of the classes.                                   - Catho 🇧🇪 Master’s student in psychology

Discover the “4R Method” for Confident Therapy Sessions in English.

  • Reflect

    We’ll warm up with some thought-provoking questions and tasks about the specific aspect of therapy that we’ll cover.

  • Respond

    Then, we’ll study and apply ‘functional language’ (key expressions and phrases) to respond to a client’s current experience.

  • Rehearse

    We place special focus on role-playing so that each class provides personalized feedback and plenty of hands-on practice. 

  • Revise

    Of course, there’s homework! I’ll give you (small) tasks to do before and after each session so you can begin to build English practice into your weekly routine. 

You’ve spent years training in mental health, and even longer learning English—now it’s time to put those skills together.

 We’ll jump right into therapy language, hands-on role-playing, and personalized feedback. That way, you won’t just learn useful vocabulary—you’ll practice using it in sessions, building the confidence to support real clients.

 It’s not your patients’ job to assess your English. University professors don’t focus on language skills. And most English teachers? They don’t understand the nuances of therapy language.

But this course is made for mental health professionals by a mental health professional.

Let’s dive into what we’ll explore together…

  • Module 0 - Introduction

    We’ll ease into the program by addressing more structured aspects of a first therapy session.

    YOU WILL: 

    ·  Practice exploring a client’s expectations and goals for therapy.

    ·  Work on reaching task agreement—deciding how to approach those goals together.

    · Learn to address therapy-related client questions and explain your orientation clearly, providing psychoeducation when necessary.

    · Clearly outline your framework, including confidentiality, scheduling, and cancellation policies.

  • Module 1 - Empathetic Attunement

    The therapeutic alliance is the strongest predictor of success in psychotherapy, and empathetic attunement is at its very core. That’s why, in this unit...

    YOU WILL:

    · Refine and practice empathic responses like reflecting, paraphrasing, and validating to help clients feel understood.

    · Strengthen your language skills to build a strong therapeutic alliance in English.

    · Use connectors and conjunctions to express mixed feelings and experiences.

    · Explore ways to use evocative imagery (4 structures) to enrich your reflections.

  • Module 2 - Asking Questions

    Carrying out a patient intake can feel overwhelming. Confused about word order and grammar tenses? Want your questions to be insightful, not intrusive? Worried about how to manage misunderstandings with patients? This unit has you covered!

    YOU WILL:

    · Explore the purpose and use of open vs. closed questions in therapy.

    · Experiment with question styles—from direct to indirect, formal to informal.

    ·  Practice asking questions using a variety of grammar tenses and refine specific structures like question tags and embedded questions.

    ·  Work on summarizing, clarifying, and confirming understanding.

    ·  Improve your ability toresolve misunderstandings.

  • Module 3 - Alliance Challenges & Termination

    Now you’ve had plenty of role-playing practice, it’s time to tackle more complex scenarios, including early alliance formation difficulties and termination sessions in English.

    YOU WILL:

    · Address common difficulties in establishing an alliance: discussing misaligned therapy expectations, handling a client challenging boundaries, and exploring client resistance.

    · Practice conducting a termination session with a client.

    · Reflect on your learning journey by reviewing goals, progress, key takeaways, and areas for growth.

    · Plan strategies to keep improving your English after the course.

“My previous teacher was good, but he wasn't a psychologist. Sophie understands exactly what I need and she prepares classes that really fulfill my needs as an English-speaking psychologist working with expats in Madrid.”

  - Laura 🇪🇸 Clinical Psychologist Specialized in EMDR, Spain

Really, this isn’t just about English. It’s about evolving as a therapist, too.

Together, we’ll cover:

·       How to carry out your first session in English: from setting the frame and exploring client expectations the intake and building a therapeutic alliance.

·       How to steadily enrich your vocabulary with words you’ll use over and over again.

·       From other practitioners’ approaches —through podcasts, videos or texts, you’ll reflect on other therapists’ use of language and how it fits in with your style.

·       More about yourself as an English-speaking professional: your strengths, weaknesses, and communication style.

Ready to take your therapy practice global?

Select the modality that best fits your needs:

Small Group (max. 3 people)

Connect with like-minded therapists who share your struggles, concerns, and aspirations.

INCLUDES:

  • 12 weeks of live classes

  • 12 sets of materials

  • 6 sets of targeted therapy phrases

  • Weekly homework activities

  • Regular personalized feedback

99 EUR / MONTH 297 EUR TOTAL

Private program

A completely tailor-made experience for mental health professionals who feel more comfortable working one on one or have highly specific goals.

INCLUDES:

  • 12 weeks of live classes

  • 12 sets of materials

  • 6 sets of targeted therapy phrases

  • Weekly homework activities

  • Regular personalized feedback

149 EUR / MONTH 447 EUR TOTAL

How to get started.

  • Book a free consultation

    Not sure how to choose the best option for you? That’s fine! Let’s explore your needs and concerns together.

  • Receive your proposal

    Next, I’ll send the program details, and my contract. We’ll organize the schedule between us or with the group.

  • Prepare for your first class

    I’ll share some resources to review before we meet, and you’ll make your first payment to confirm your slot.

“Can I really hold my first therapy sessions in English in 12 weeks?”

Yes! Talk Therapy 2 has successfully prepared dozens of mental health professionals from over ten different countries to take this big, brave step.

Was it scary? Absolutely.

Did they doubt themselves over again and again? You bet.

No course or program works like Clonazepam. A healthy level of stress when doing something hard for the first time is completely normal and helps us take action.

But if you’re willing to do all the preparation required for your first sessions and embrace the temporary discomfort of growth, you can change the lives of clients from all over the world.

And the best part? That changes your life in return.

What if I want more support after the program?

Of course—I’m here for as long as you need me! At the end of Therapy Talk 2, I’ll check in with you to see if you’d like us to continue.

Many therapists who take on their first English-speaking clients find it helpful to have some further sessions where we work on specific challenges they are facing with these new patients. 

Therapy Talk 1 – Take Root

Get back into the swing of speaking and repair your relationship with English—ready to start using it with other mental health professionals.

  • 12 WEEKS

  • B1+/B2

Therapy Talk 2  - Branch Out    

Get a little more therapy-specific language practice and prepare to see your first English-speaking client… after 12 weeks!  

  • 12 WEEKS

  • B2+ /C1

Private Sessions -  Flourish

Worried about how to handle an alliance rupture in English? Need to prepare for a job interview or talk at a conference? Sign up for packs of 4 tailored 1:1 sessions to address more specific needs.

  • AS NEEDED

  • B2+ /C1

WORKING IN ENGLISH IS ABOUT MORE THAN NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES

It makes mental health professionals branch out in exciting new ways.

 What could that mean for you? Maybe it’s…

→ Becoming a more resourceful, adaptable therapist, who meets each client’s unique needs creatively.
→ Growing your cultural sensitivity and communication skills by skilfully navigating linguistic and interpersonal differences.

→ Opening yourself up to different perspectives while marvelling at how much people worldwide share in common.

→ …Or finding a deep sense of accomplishment as you overcome your limitations to support clients from other countries in meaningful ways.

Wherever you want your practice to take you, I’ll be your co-pilot, accompanying you on this journey (and supporting you through any turbulence!)

“Sophie not only helped me with vocabulary in emotions and therapy-related expressions but also supported my self-confidence very much. Through role-playing therapy scenarios, her warmth, empathy, and vast psychology knowledge, she helped me overcome these challenges. Thanks to her work, I see myself as a better therapist in English now. I'm so grateful for her support and deeply recommend her work for other therapists.” 

                                                                                                                                            - Lucival 🇧🇷 Humanistic Psychotherapist 

Find traditional language lessons boring? So do I.

Let’s face it- the days of Now open your books and turn to exercise 5 on page 86 are gone. Talk Therapy is designed to be personal, experiential and engaging.

→ We’ll prioritize relevant discussion and role-playing activities which maximize your practice of English therapy skills.

→ We’ll navigate the emotional highs and lows of your own journey to becoming an English-speaking therapist.

→ We’ll have thought-provoking homework that makes you grow, not groan.

And best of all? You’ll get the chance to truly reflect on your unique voice as a therapist- no matter which language you use in your sessions. 

I recently started offering couples therapy in English thanks to Sophie's lessons. They helped me evolve as a person while also expanding my work possibilities in English. I fully recommend classes with such a hard-working, positive person. Sophie is open to ideas while also sharing her own. Her support and materials —interesting podcasts, articles, and videos—always came in handy and made me progress. We have an amazing time together. This makes me able to better communicate with my clients lesson by lesson. 

                                                                                                                                      -Monika 🇵🇱 Gestalt and EFT Couples Therapist

✗ Teach general, non-specific language that has little relevance in clinical contexts.

✗ Focus mainly on classroom learning- making it hard to continue improving on your own after the program ends.

✗ Provide no opportunities to practice therapy-specific tasks through role-playing in English

✗Address language learning alone, leaving out the emotions and challenges of working in English.

✓ Teaches you expressions and phrases you’ll use in real English therapy sessions.

✓ Encourages you to try different study routines, discover effective techniques for you, and become an independent learner.

✓ Provides opportunities to practice real-life therapy scenarios, with personalized feedback to build your confidence.

✓ Makes room to share your experience on your journey to becoming an English-speaking therapist.

Got questions? Let’s talk about them.

  • If you’ve recently started working with English-speaking clients, no problem! This course will be even more useful, as you can directly apply what we learn to your sessions. If you have more extensive experience, a shorter class pack will likely be a better fit.

    Let’s discuss your needs in the free consultation, and I’ll help you choose the best option for you.

  • You’ll need a solid B2 level (or higher), meaning you can…

    ·       Express yourself fluently and naturally in everyday conversations, even with native speakers, though you may occasionally hesitate or paraphrase.

    ·       Speak without translating from your first language, though structuring complex thoughts on the spot can still feel tricky.

    ·       Use a broad vocabulary, including formal and informal expressions, but want to expand your therapy-specific language.

    ·       Speak quite accurately, with minor mistakes that don’t usually cause misunderstandings.

    ·       Feel a bit nervous but ready to practice therapy role-plays in a supportive, non-judgmental space.

    But don’t worry—during our free consultation, I’ll assess your English and needs to recommend the best course for your current level or communicative ability. Together, we’ll find the ideal solution for you.

  • Some clinical experience is required (even if this is in an internship/practicum) because we constantly reflect on your work as a mental health professional. If you don’t have clinical experience, Talk Therapy 1 might be a better choice for you.

  • Before every class, you’ll be asked to complete two to three tasks to reflect on the topic we’ll cover and another mental health professional’s way of addressing it. I also highly recommend reviewing each week’s class notes, which include corrections and new vocabulary. It’s important to make the most of our time together and building good study habits, so prepare to do some work outside of class!

  • This depends on your objectives, lifestyle and how frequently you use English in your daily life. But generally speaking, I recommend spending 30 - 60 minutes per week on the tasks. 

  • No, I stopped working with therapy clients when I accepted that teaching was what I really wanted to do and where I really shone. 

     At the moment, I am completely focused on helping mental health professionals improve their language skills to work with English-speaking clients. 

     But in the future, who knows? 

Have another question you want to ask before you join? 

Feel free to ask—I’m just a short email away.

“I feel confident speaking in English daily. However, when it came to a professional scenario, I lacked confidence.
Sophie is such a great professor. She is very professional and provides accommodations according to our goals and needs. She helped me to gain confidence in delivering therapy through role-playing activities. Her role as a teacher exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend contacting her if you want personalized classes”                                                                                                                                               - Itzel López 🇲🇽 Psychologist & psychotherapist in training

You’re one step closer to becoming a multi-lingual therapist.

Imagine… in as little as 12 weeks, you could open up your practice-and your world. I believe you can do it—do you?