Families play a crucial part in our emotional, physical, and spiritual development, as we are all a product of the relationships we experience with whomever we consider to be a part of that family unit. Challenges faced by each individual family member naturally impacts the others. Although the family system is complicated, it is one in which can be more easily understood through the process of family therapy.

In reality, that answer is self-defined. A family member does not necessarily mean that an individual shares blood relations, or that you must live with that person—rather that the person plays a supportive and long-term role in your life. That can include, grandparents, aunts, uncles, girlfriends/boyfriends, babysitters, step-children, foster children, etc.

Family therapy sessions can include all or just those members who are willing to participate.

Some issues commonly addressed by family therapy:

The length of time in therapy depends on the number of goals on which the family would like to work, however, a family will commonly see results within 5-20 sessions.

All couples experience conflict to some degree in their relationship. When conflict is not effectively resolved, negative emotions can accumulate and lead to recurring, painful arguments, or a distancing which results in isolation and loneliness.
The goal of couples counseling is to identify the sources of conflict, and to teach effective techniques to resolve it. The focus of couples counseling at SINEWS is on what each individual can do to improve the relationship, rather than what their partner needs to change. Both parties must come with the desire to change his or her own behavior.
Through counseling, couples will learn to be on the same team again. They will learn how to support and inspire each other. They will learn how to regain romance and enjoy real intimacy. Essentially, they will reconnect, and rebuild a life together.

Couples seek counseling for a variety of reasons. Some couples want counseling before making an important commitment like getting married or moving in together in order to do the work on the front end of the relationship. Others have a history together and feel unhappy and stuck.
Couples should consider counseling when they are suffering (lonely, angry or irritable most of the time…), or when their relationship problems are impairing their ability to function in other areas of their life (work, parenting, physical health, etc.).
If you are “escaping” by busying yourself in other areas (work, children, etc.) to avoid facing the problems in your relationship, couples counseling is something you want to seriously consider. It’s also important to point out that many couples, at some point in their relationship, would benefit from outside, professional help from a Marriage counsellor in Madrid, to resolve their difficulties.

Some people feel uncomfortable with the idea of talking to a complete stranger about personal problems. If your husband, wife or partner is reluctant to go to counseling, it can be useful for the willing party to start counseling alone in order to gain insight. This insight may be enough to influence change in your relationship, or it can give you clarity as to how to proceed (get partner into counseling, divorce, etc.).

Couples Counseling is usually what’s considered “short-term therapy”; 12 sessions on average.

La metodología de este proceso de evaluación consiste en una entrevista con un psicólogo y la cumplimentación del IPP-R (Cuestionario de Intereses y Preferencias Profesionales Revisado, TEA Ediciones, S.A. 2004). Este instrumento está diseñado específicamente con dos propósitos. En primer lugar nos aporta información acerca de qué tipo de actividades nos aportan más satisfacción, y en segundo lugar nos permite averiguar el grado de conocimiento que tenernos respecto a las tareas que conllevan realmente las distintas profesiones. De todo ello, se elabora un informe con el perfil de preferencias y otros resultados destacados.

Esta evaluación se puede completar con la evaluación de la Inteligencia y perfil de aptitudes a través del WAIS-III (Escala de Inteligencia para adultos de Wechsler, TEA Ediciones, S.A. 2008). Este instrumento mide todo aquello que tiene que ver más con la capacidad y aptitud para desempeñar de forma óptima una determinada tarea, que con la satisfacción al desempeñarla. Los dos instrumentos se complementan y aportar información de gran valor para planificar la futura carrera profesional.

It is essential that the decision about our professional future should be based not only on the more or less realistic or fanciful idea we have of what a certain job might consist of, but also our personal qualities and our interest profile. The ideal would be to choose a profession that takes full advantage of our skills while we find it stimulating and feel fulfilled.

The purpose of the abilities test (intelligence profile) and professional preferences is to give guidance on career choice, a vital decision considering we spend a third of our time at our workplace.
Vocational or career counseling is of particular interest to young people aged 16 years and adults who wish to change their professional path.

In the career counseling session the following tools are used:

The personal interview allows us to obtain information on personal qualifications (early development, academic background, skills and extracurricular interests, personal or family contact with the reality of different professions …) as well as personality traits (ability to persist, sociability, communication and negotiation skills, mental flexibility, need for stimulation, awareness of one’s goals, self confidence…) The decision process and the basis on which the person has been working up until the interview is also analyzed.

Interests and career preferences Questionnaire is an instrument specifically designed for: a) informing of what activities brings us more satisfaction and b) determining the degree of knowledge we have about the tasks involved in different professions.

Identification of strengths instrument It allows us to explore our strengths to realize what kind of activities and opportunities needs to provide our work so that we can function at an optimal level. The use of personal strengths is related to the perception of motivation, strength, authenticity and fulfillment at work and is the basis of efficiency and labor welfare. This knowledge will allow us to choose a job we like and favors our best performance, besides ruling out those who could lead to further job dissatisfaction.

The personal interview and the tests complement each other and provide valuable information when planning the choice of a future career. After the evaluation process, during the concluding session, the results will be analyzed and a report will be given with the skills profile, professional preferences and other prominent results.

• Increase understanding. Speaking with a clear, natural accent helps your listener to understand your message without confusion.
• Increase efficiency of relaying information. When your speaker understands you clearly, there is less time lost in repetition of instructions or information, and more time to effectively convey your message.
• Improve perception of competence. While unfair, the reality is that your accent affects how peers and clients perceive you. By speaking with a clear and precise accent, you will be perceived as more competent and confident in your communication.
• Improve confidence. When learning a second language, people often feel less confident, which can lead to holding back in communicating with others. This can impede both personal and professional goals. Accent modification can help you speak clearly and confidently.

The goal of accent modification is to enable you to speak American English clearly and confidently while maintaining your cultural identity. Accent modification services are provided by a certified speech-language pathologist within a structured program tailored to your specific needs. An initial assessment will take place to identify individual goals.

These goal areas will be targeted in a systematic manner, either in individual or group sessions. As accent modification takes time and practice, programs will be structured for one session per week for at least 12 weeks, with the option for additional sessions as needed. Throughout the program, the speech-language pathologist will conduct follow-up assessments to demonstrate progress and identify new goal areas. All sessions will be tailored to needs and interests, with home exercises provided to help carry over progress into more natural settings. Sessions will take place within the business location for convenience.

• Individual sessions: 80 € per 1 hour session
• Group sessions (3-5 clients per group): 30 € per person per 1.5 hour session

*Prices applicable for businesses located within downtown Madrid. Please email for quotes for other locations.

Not only is it important to be able to speak English using appropriate vocabulary, grammar, and syntax but it is important that people pay attention to what you say and not focus on the way you talk. One obvious reason for improving your accent is so that the listener can understand you better. Even if the listener can understand you they may become focused on the way you talk instead of the message you are trying to convey or lose interest in what you are trying to say. In the business world it is important that people understand clearly the message you are trying to get across. If listeners focus on how you say something instead of on what you say you will have difficulty communicating your message effectively. An accent reduction course can help you become a better communicator in English.

Most people want to improve their accent so that others will understand them better. Others want to sound like native speakers, although it must be stressed that achieving the accent of a native speaker 100% is extremely difficult for adults who have not lived in an English speaking country. Sounding more like a native speaker is a realistic goal, however.

Students attend classes once or twice a week. The student is expected to study a few hours each week at home. The duration of the course depends on progress made towards achieving goals which are made up by the student and the teacher. Typically, after a determination is made of what vowels and consonants are needed to be modified or learned, instruction focuses on correct production of targeted English sounds. The student is asked to listen and repeat individual words frequently when learning correct pronunciation of vowels and consonants. Once these sounds are mastered in words the student will produce these sounds accurately in words in sentences. Students receive ongoing feedback and listen to recordings of themselves periodically to monitor their progress. Reading words and sentences out loud, as well as scripted role playing exercises are done in class when the focus is on intonation and prosody.

Enhanced communication skills achieved through improving your accent can also open up and improve your opportunities for career advancement. Clear and effective communication is important in all areas of life, but especially so in the business world. The degree of success one has in the business world often correlates to one’s success as a communicator. As you become a more successful communicator, you also improve your overall confidence level as a professional.

Course description: Accent reduction in English
Sessions: Individual, 1-hour in duration
Approximate duration of course: 3 + months (it will depend on how much work is done outside of sessions)
Place: SINEWS’ offices C/Sagasta 16, ground floor, right, 28004 Madrid
Level of English required: high intermediate to high
Price: Initial interview+evaluation 70€
Report 100€
Feedback session 65€
Treatment 65€ per individual session

Anorexia Nervosa includes an inadequate intake of food which leads to a very low weight; intense fear of weight gain and attempts to prevent weight gain; self-esteem that is overly connected to the person´s body image; difficulty recognizing the severity of the situation. Contrary to popular belief, some individuals with anorexia also engage in binge eating and purging behaviors as well.

Bulimia Nervosa involves frequent episodes of binge eating (consuming amounts of food that most people would consider excessive in a short amount of time) followed by behaviors to prevent weight gain which may include self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic use or excessive exercise; feeling out of control during moments of binge-eating; self-esteem that is overly connected to the person´s body image.

Binge Eating Disorder involves frequent episodes of binge eating, but without behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as excessive exercise; feeling out of control during binge eating; feelings of shame or guilt in regards to their binge eating; indications that the binge eating is out of control (examples include eating when you´re not hungry, to the point of discomfort or by yourself because you´re ashamed about your behavior).

However, for individuals who do not meet the criteria for one of the disorders listed above, but who still struggle with disordered eating and body image concerns that impact their quality of life, they may receive a diagnosis of ¨Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder¨ (previously known as EDNOS-Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). Some examples may include: atypical anorexia nervosa (weight is not below normal), bulimia nervosa with less frequent behaviors, purging disorder (purging without binge eating), or night eating syndrome (excessive consumption of of food at night).

Despite the stereotypes portrayed in the media, eating disorders are not an illness found solely among young women. Eating disorders do not discriminate. They are found among all genders, ages, races and socio-economic statuses. If you are a male who suspects you may have an eating disorder, it´s important for you to know that you´re not alone. Millions of men and boys throughout the world struggle with some form of these illnesses.

Treatment of an eating disorder often involves a multidisciplinary team composed of some of the following members: medical doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist and/or nutritionist. Here at SINEWS we have both psychiatrists and psychologists who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders who have helped numerous patients during their recovery process. Our professionals understand the complexity of these disorders, as well as the diverse factors that leads someone to develop one. While no one chooses to develop an eating disorder, you do have it within your power to choose to seek professional help.