Chloe Van der Auwera

Sexologist and hypnotherapist

About

Trained as a medical doctor, I focused my practice on sexology and hypnotherapy.
After graduating from medical school, I continued my studies with a Master's degree in sexology at UCL.
Passionate about sexology and the workings of the brain and human body, I keep learning through further training and seminars (as well as reading, podcasts, etc.). Here are a few examples: hypnotherapy (at the Institut de Nouvelle Hypnose), positive sexology (with Alexandra Hubin, men's and soon women's modules), perinatal sexology (with Camille Bataillon), erotic languages (with Camille Bataillon), an introduction to IMAGO therapy (with Brigitte Steichen), Slow Sex (with Stephen Vasey).

"Willpower is not the first human faculty, imagination is."

Coué, 1926

My approach

In my practice, I attach great importance to working in collaboration with the patient in order to put their strengths and resources into action. To do this, I primarily turn to the ideas of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), as well as hypnosis, while incorporating tools from mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy and systemic therapy.

Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is being studied more and more, with surprising effects. The central idea is to put the conscious mind's defenses at rest in order to revisit reality as it is perceived by the patient's body and nervous system (rather than by their cognition). I practice conversational hypnosis, in which the patient's own resources are brought into play.

Sexology

It is a discipline that combines biology, psychology (the experiences of each and everyone forge a way of being and apprehending the world) and sociology (the sexuality of each and every cannot be dissociated from the social and cultural norms transmitted to it). These three aspects of sexuality can cause difficulties.

ACT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a third wave therapy. It has this particularity that the primary focus is on the individual's relationship to his or her thoughts rather than whether the thought itself is healthy or dysfunctional. Thoughts and emotions are seen as normal experiences that occur in a certain context, not as symptoms to get rid of in order to live well.

IMAGO

It's a form of couple therapy that facilitates dialogue by allowing the partners to enter each other's worlds, each in turn, in order to understand each other's needs and the dynamics that come into play when these two worlds meet. IMAGO emphasizes the commitment of its partners, so that they can form a team in the face of the difficulties they encounter.

Who are my consultations for?

I'm careful to respect each person's rhythm and adapt to their needs and affinities.

Here are just a few examples of the types of problems I treat in sexology and/or hypnotherapy, either individually or as a couple:
- sexual disorders with a psychosomatic component,
- after-effects of sexual trauma,
- sexual addictions,
- desire disorders,
- pleasure disorders,
- orgasm disorders,
- ejaculation disorders (premature or delayed),
- erectile dysfunction,
- vaginismus,
- pain during intercourse,
- communication difficulties in the relationship,
- differences in libido within the couple,
- difficulties managing emotions (anxiety, stress, anger management, sadness, ruminations),
- improved self-confidence and self-esteem.

In the Etterbeek perinatal center, the difficulties described above are compounded by :
- difficulties in conceiving (dyspareunia, vaginismus, erectile dysfunction, anejaculation, pressure, anxiety...)
- support during the MAP process: sexuality as well as emotional management, preparation for insemination or IVF using hypnosis
- sexuality during pregnancy (questions, fears, reinventing intimate life)
- reclaiming one's body, desire and eroticism after the baby
- the place of the individual, the couple, eroticism and the reinvention of intimate life when having a child or children (consultations can also take place before childbirth to prepare for the post-partum period).

My practice is open to all, whatever your gender, sexual orientation or sexual preferences.