Paulo Pitta

ENGLISH

Many people seek therapy because they find themselves repeating painful patterns, struggling in relationships, feeling disconnected from themselves, or carrying the impact of trauma, loss, abandonment, adoption-related experiences, or other difficult life circumstances.

My approach is grounded in systemic-relational psychotherapy and depth psychology. I understand psychological suffering as something that develops within a personal, relational, and often unconscious context. For this reason, I am interested not only in symptoms, but also in the life experiences, attachment relationships, family dynamics, and emotional histories that give meaning to them.

At the same time, not all suffering can be understood solely through conscious reflection or present-day circumstances. Recurrent emotional patterns, dreams, symbolic imagery, and seemingly irrational reactions may point toward deeper unconscious dynamics. I view these expressions not as symptoms to eliminate, but as meaningful attempts of the psyche to communicate something important.

Over the years, I have come to value an integrative approach to psychotherapy. Although my training is rooted in systemic-relational and depth-oriented traditions, I believe that different therapeutic approaches can offer valuable perspectives and resources. Rather than adhering rigidly to a single model, I seek to respond to the unique needs, personality, and circumstances of each person.

Above all, I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the most important element in the process of change. Research consistently shows that the quality of the alliance between therapist and client is one of the strongest predictors of therapeutic outcome. For me, therapy begins with the creation of a relationship based on trust, respect, safety, deep listening, and genuine human presence. It is within this relationship that new understanding, emotional healing, and lasting change become possible.

My work is particularly informed by experience with relational trauma, attachment difficulties, abandonment, adoption-related issues, dissociation, identity questions, and life transitions. I also integrate dream work when it is relevant and meaningful for the therapeutic process.

I do not believe that therapy is about becoming someone different. Rather, it is about developing a deeper relationship with oneself, expanding awareness, and discovering new possibilities for living with greater freedom, coherence, and meaning.

ESPAÑOL

Mi enfoque es principalmente relacional y sistémico. Entiendo que nuestras dificultades emocionales no pueden separarse de las relaciones en las que vivimos, de nuestra historia familiar y de las experiencias que han ido configurando nuestra manera de vincularnos.

Cuando alguien llega a terapia por ansiedad, depresión, problemas de pareja, dificultades de apego, trauma relacional o una crisis vital, es natural querer dejar atrás aquello que produce sufrimiento. Sin embargo, no entiendo la terapia únicamente como un medio para eliminar aquello que nos molesta. Lo que experimentamos puede ser también una vía para comprender mejor qué está ocurriendo en nuestra vida, qué conflictos estamos atravesando y qué patrones pueden estar influyendo en nuestra manera de relacionarnos.

El apego ocupa un lugar importante en mi trabajo. Las experiencias tempranas de relación pueden influir profundamente en cómo buscamos cercanía, cómo vivimos la intimidad, cómo reaccionamos ante el rechazo o el abandono y cómo afrontamos los conflictos. Comprender estos patrones puede abrir la posibilidad de relacionarnos de otra manera.

Mi formación psicodinámica y mi trabajo con la psicología de Carl Gustav Jung aportan otra dimensión al proceso terapéutico. Además de aquello que podemos identificar conscientemente, pueden existir emociones, conflictos, deseos y formas de relacionarnos que operan fuera de nuestra conciencia. Los sueños, las fantasías y las imágenes simbólicas pueden, cuando resultan relevantes para la persona, contribuir a explorar ese mundo interno.

En el trabajo con parejas presto especial atención al ciclo de interacción en el que ambos miembros pueden quedar atrapados. En lugar de buscar culpables, tratamos de comprender qué ocurre entre ellos, qué desencadena las respuestas de cada uno y cómo pueden construirse formas diferentes de comunicarse, afrontar el conflicto y recuperar la intimidad.

La relación terapéutica también forma parte del trabajo. Creo que una terapia eficaz necesita un espacio suficientemente seguro para poder hablar de aquello que resulta difícil, pero también suficientemente abierto para cuestionar nuestras propias formas habituales de entender y afrontar las cosas.

Mi objetivo es ayudarte a comprender mejor lo que te sucede, identificar los patrones que se repiten y desarrollar mayor libertad para decidir cómo quieres vivir y relacionarte.

I have been working in private practice for many years with adults aged 18 and over. During this time, I have accompanied people facing a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties, life transitions, questions of identity and meaning, family conflicts, grief, and other challenges that arise throughout the course of life.

Alongside my work with individual clients, couples and families, I have also facilitated therapeutic groups for specific communities, including men's groups, LGBTQIA+ groups, and groups for adoptive parents and adult adoptees.

I work both in person in Barcelona and online with clients around the world. I offer sessions in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan. I also understand French and can work with clients who prefer to express themselves in French, although I respond in one of the other languages.

I am a psychotherapist specialising in individual, couple and family therapy. I completed a four-year postgraduate training at the School of the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona, where I trained in systemic and relational psychotherapy. I also undertook five years of clinical training and practice in psychodynamic psychotherapy as a co-therapist at the Carl Gustav Jung Foundation in Spain.

Alongside my formal training, I have remained committed to ongoing professional development throughout my career. My continuing education has included systemic psychology, analytical psychology, trauma, attachment, relationships, women's and men's psychological wellbeing, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy, and other areas relevant to contemporary clinical work.