Joana Reis
Social worker & Counsellor
Reaching out takes courage, and I’m glad you’re here. I offer online counselling in English and Portuguese, with a free 20-minute call. Standard 50-minute sessions are 40€ (sliding scale available).
I specialise in:
About me
There are times when life changes and we are left trying to understand what that change means for us.
You may be navigating a significant change or loss in your life, questioning yourself more than ever, feeling overwhelmed, anxious or emotionally exhausted, or trying to build a life in a country or place that still doesn't feel like home.
Some of these experiences are also part of my own story. They've shaped not only who I am, but also the way I work. They have taught me to value the complexity of people's experiences and the importance of having a space where you can be honest about what is difficult, without having to minimise it or have all the answers.
My work is guided by the principles of Humanistic Psychology and grounded in Social Pedagogy, meaning I don’t just look at you in isolation, but also at the social environment and the experiences that have shaped your life.
Together, we'll explore what's weighing on you, make sense of the patterns that may be keeping you stuck and find ways of moving forward that feel right for you. My hope is that, over time, you'll begin to understand yourself with more clarity, compassion and confidence.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My therapeutic style is gentle, honest and grounded, always guided by respect and professional integrity.
I believe in creating a space where you can speak openly about what you are experiencing, while also exploring practical ways forward. Drawing from social, humanistic and psychodynamic perspectives, I integrate reflective dialogue with practical tools to help you make sense of what you are going through:
🌿 Navigating loss and change: Working through significant changes or losses in life, and finding ways to reconnect with yourself and daily life at your own pace.
🌱 Self-doubt and insecurities: Exploring how self-doubt and insecurities can affect your daily life, your sense of self or your ability to form meaningful connections.
🌍 Overwhelming life transitions: Navigating the fear, disorientation and uncertainty that can come with immigration or major life decisions, while finding a sense of direction that feels right for you.
🔋 Exhaustion and anxiety: Understanding how anxiety, stress and overwhelm are affecting you, and finding practical ways to respond while creating more space for rest.
🗓 Taking the First Step
Starting therapy can bring up a lot of different feelings and you don’t have to know exactly what you want to say before we meet.
If you're curious about working together, we can begin with a free 20-minute conversation to get to know each other and see whether it feels like the right fit. If you'd prefer, you're also welcome to book a full session directly through my calendar.
A Note on Practice and Safety
ℹ️ The social and emotional support I provide online does not replace medical, psychological or psychiatric assessment. I do not provide mental health diagnoses or clinical treatment of mental health disorders.
This also means that we can explore experiences such as anxiety, stress and emotional exhaustion within the scope of my practice, while recognising when further clinical or medical assessment or treatment may be appropriate.
This service is not monitored 24/7 and is not equipped to respond to emergencies. If you are experiencing an acute crisis, suicidal thoughts or immediate danger, please do not use this channel for communication. Seek immediate emergency support instead.
Portugal Crisis Resources:
→ Emergency Services: 112
→ National Suicide Prevention and Psychological Support Line: 1411 (24/7)
→ SNS 24 (Portugal’s National Health Service): 808 24 24 24
European Crisis Resources (International Clients):
→ If you reside outside of Portugal, please contact your local emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Experience
I began my career working in client-focused and community settings, where I developed a strong foundation in listening, adaptability and clear communication. Since completing my degree and further training, my work has increasingly focused on providing social and emotional support, helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, transitions and periods of uncertainty.
Education
🎓My integrated practice is underpinned by a multi-disciplinary academic framework:
→ Bachelor’s Degree with a specialisation in Social Pedagogy: My studies focused on the relationship between individuals and the social environments, relationships and wider circumstances that shape their lives. This perspective allows me to consider personal difficulties not in isolation, but within the broader context of a person’s life, including how environment, identity, cultural transitions and wider social circumstances can affect mental well-being.
→ Qualified Vocational Trainer: Building on my foundational degree, my qualification as a Certified Vocational Trainer equips me to structure highly adaptable, evidence-informed interventions. This pedagogical grounding ensures complex emotional concepts are translated into clear, actionable and sustainable steps for each person.
→ Integrative Toolset (NLP and Life Coaching): Certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Life Coaching, I integrate these modalities to work directly with cognitive patterns, behavioral loops and internal communication. This combined expertise allows us to break through deep-seated self-doubt, reframe limiting beliefs and establish robust, healthy boundaries.
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Individual Session
Students
Package of 4 Sessions
Insurances
