About Me
I am an HCPC Arts Therapist and a BPS Clinical Psychologist with many years of experience in the UK and Portugal.
The arts have always been strongly present in my life and, throughout the years, I have deepened my studies and practice in creative movement and trained in Authentic Movement (a contemplative movement practice influenced by Jungian Psychology and mindfulness meditation).
My experience fostered in me the realisation of the arts as a life force and a source of exploration, self-knowledge, expression, healing and transformation.
In pursuit of self-awareness, self-knowledge and personal and spiritual growth, I started to practice yoga, meditation and mindfulness around twenty years ago and was a yoga and meditation teacher.
After completing the training in Clinical Psychology rooted in the psychoanalytic approach (ISPA-University Institute, Portugal), I studied Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Sociedade Portuguesa Psicologia Clinica, Portugal).
I completed the MA in Drama and Movement Therapy (Sesame) with an approach informed by Jungian Psychology (Royal Central School of Speech and Drama/University of London), bringing together two main areas of my life:
the arts and psychotherapy.
Living in different cities and countries gave me a personal understanding of what it means to learn, adapt and live in-between languages and cultures.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I have worked in various organisational settings, including NHS, private and charity sectors. I worked for many years with the Portuguese police force, offering psychotherapy and counselling to police officers and their families. I have recently worked in a multi-ethnic counselling service supporting adults, older adults, refugees and asylum seekers with mental health issues. I have also worked with a child bereavement charity delivering individual and group therapy to children and was part of the team that offered support to the Grenfell community.
I facilitate creative arts mindfulness-based personal development groups.
Alongside my psychotherapy practice, I have taught drama to young children, fostering their self-confidence and self-esteem while encouraging creativity and imagination; and facilitated drama-based workshops for families.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATIONS
- HCPC registered Arts Therapist (Health and Care Professions Council)
- Associate Fellow (AFBPsS) and Chartered Clinical Psychologist (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society (BPS)
- Full member of the British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth)
- Clinical Psychologist accredited by Ordem dos Psicologos (OPP, the Portuguese Psychologists Council)
- Member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP)
- Student member of the Group Analytic Society International (GASI)
GOOD PRACTICE
In order to enhance my practice and offer my clients high-quality work, I continue with professional training and personal development and have regular supervision.
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