ABOUT ME/BIO
“My objective is to build together with my clients a positive, trusting and non-judgemental collaboration to help them look into themselves, find awareness and their own strengths to overcome their difficulties and be able to live a rich, full and a meaningful life.”
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
“When working with children, I initiate the process by engaging in a consultation with parents to discuss the child’s history, concerns, expectations and any preferences they may have. Subsequently, I conduct a screening assessment of the child to identify any potential red flags or specific concerns. Based on the evaluation, I create a treatment plan, that addresses both the child’s needs and parents’ concerns”.
“While throughout the therapeutic process, I am using an integrative approach involving Talk therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, Act therapy, Parent child interaction therapy and Play and Art therapy. By utilising art or play as a mean of communication, children will be encouraged to express, navigate and process challenging thoughts and emotions that may be difficult to articulate otherwise”.
In addition to providing therapy to children, I also provide parenting guidance and support to parents and caregivers about child development, parenting, and behaviour management. I will help them understand their child's difficulties and provide them with the information they need to manage their symptoms at home.
“No one was ever given a manual on what makes us a good parent, it’s a journey of discovery that time to time becomes challenging. We might feel low confident in our parenting, feel lack of communication or unable to understand or handle our emotions or that of our children. So, we are here to help you navigate the everyday, to find effective parenting tools and strategies to suit your child’s particular needs and your unique family situation, to develop your parenting skills, more meaningful interactions with no judgment.”
when working with adults, “My objective is to build together with my clients a positive, trusting and non-judgemental collaboration to help them look into themselves, find awareness and their own strengths to overcome their difficulties and be able to live a rich, full and a meaningful life.”
WHY I AM SPECIALIZED IN THIS FIELD
I started my career working as an intern Psychologist at Pulido Valente Hospital (one of the largest public hospitals in Portugal) supporting in and outpatients with OCP-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After finishing my degree I joined a non governmental organisation (NGO) that supports institutionalised children infected and affected with HIV/Aids. I worked as a Psychologist with a multidisciplinary team of other clinicians as Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists and Social Workers providing care and support to these children and their families. I then joined another NGO that focused on prevention and promotion of Mental Health near to disadvantaged and unprivileged people. I worked with community and other social services and implemented mental health programs to be provided to the community such as individual and group therapy to children, adolescents and adults, planned and conducted organisation skills training programs for adolescents and conducted group psychoeducational interventions to adolescents and elderly people, and provided Couples therapy.
I am trained in Psychodynamic therapy, Person-Centered therapy, CBT-cognitive behaviour therapy, Play therapy, DBT and ACT-acceptance commitment therapy. I use an eclectic approach combining those theories and is able to use other blended theories such as, Art therapy and Mindfulness to fit the client’s needs.
Through this experience I learned how to work with clients from all age groups and backgrounds. I am passionate about mental health challenges in children, adolescents and adults while promoting mental wellbeing, and helping my clients live a full and meaningful life.
Prior to joining BE Psychology Center, I worked in a private clinic, where I counselled children, adolescents, adults, and couples, experiencing a wide range of psychological issues, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional difficulties, depression, low self-esteem, behavioural issues, relationships difficulties, poor and emotional skills, anger management, psychoeducation and parenting support, life transitions.
WHAT I SAY TO PEOPLE WHO FEEL NERVOUS OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THERAPY/ASSESSMENT
It is totally normal to have concerns and feel worried or nervous about getting in touch with a therapist.
Even though it’s important to know that a therapist is someone that understands the way you might be feeling and it will try their best to put you at ease.
I would say that I love what I do and that I am really there for you, so I hope that this will help you.
