Inês Felgueiras

I I approach psychotherapy from a Constructivist perspective, which starts from the understanding of people as complex beings in continuous construction of themselves and their life contexts. From the beginning of my training, I learned to question diagnostic labels and to approach each person as a complex organism in a continuous process of adaptation, which may include symptoms as coping strategies for a situation perceived as difficult. Using Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy as a foundation, I seek to integrate the continuous developments of this approach, such as cognitive-narrative therapy, emotional and body work (acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavior therapy), and mindfulness (mindfulness-based therapy), in order to support clients with diverse strategies in building healthy ways of functioning. Advances in the field tend to point towards greater effectiveness of process-focused therapy (Hayes), that is, an articulation between the various techniques and methodologies created by the various branches of cognitive behavioral therapy in order to specifically address the particular difficulties of each person. This is my conception of an integrative approach. A humanistic perspective is inevitably integrated into my therapeutic work, as I aim to attune myself as much as possible to the unique and specific way each person organizes themselves, and to facilitate autonomous transformation or transformation with minimal interference, respecting and supporting natural rebalancing processes. Attachment theory is a central element in how I understand a person's functioning and their difficulties. The way we learn to maintain connection with caregivers from a very early age initiates a journey, a particular way of organizing ourselves in relation to ourselves, others, and the world. It notably impacts self-concept, feeling secure, trusting others, curiosity about the world, initiative to explore, and the capacity for emotional self-regulation. Global functioning difficulties can benefit from an intervention specifically directed at this dimension. In our sessions, you can expect conversation and action strategies, through which I may invite you to conduct experiments. These will occur both within and outside the clinical context, providing you with the opportunity to explore various aspects of yourself and the reality that surrounds you in new ways, or to develop specific skills. I aim to promote the balance of the various dimensions of the person (emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual), considering that this occurs in a particular phase of personal development (with specific physiological characteristics, and tendencies for self-actualization or life goals specific to that phase) within a particular context: family, work, social, cultural. The challenges a person faces during a specific period of their life can be opportunities for personal development, and psychological support can be an essential aid. I am accredited as Specialist in Psychotherapy by the Portuguese Order of Psychologists (OPP nr. 1360), as well as by EuroPsy ( nr. PT-PT070761-202407). I am recognised by the Berlin's health authority as Psychotherapist according to the "Heilpraktikergesetz".

Since 1997 I’ve been working as a clinical psychologist with children, adolescents, and adults. I have frequently been part of multidisciplinary teams where, in addition to direct clinical intervention, I coordinated the teams created to meet the needs of each case under follow-up (therapists and neurologist or psychiatrist). Collaborating in this type of work was very rewarding, due to the possibility of understanding the functioning of people under follow-up in a complex way through the confluence of diverse perspectives within the same team. I collaborated with the Psychology Service of FPCEUP during the last 7 years that I lived in Porto, where I received weekly supervision with Margarida Henriques, within the scope of team meetings. Between 2010 and 2017 I was giving training to psychologists and master's students in the area of ​​clinical assessment (FPCEUP, University of Porto) Between 2004 and 2007 I was part of a multidisciplinary community intervention team, intervening with disadvantaged families with the objective of interrupting deviant paths in children and adolescents (Porto)

I graduated in Psychology in 1997, and since then I've been working in clinical settings and investing in my clinical knowledge through continuous training and supervision. 2017 - Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology, Porto University (Narrative identity: comparison between adolescents in residential and family care) 2009 - Postgraduate studies in Transpersonal Oriented Psychotherapy, Lusófona University 2003 - Postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology, Minho University 2000 - Postgraduate studies in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Children and Adolescents, UCAE 1997 - Graduation in Psychology, Porto University I received supervision during the first years of my working carer and again while working at Porto University. I was part of research teams in the field of Attachment and Emotions (Isabel Soares, Paulo Machado, Pedro Dias, Inês Jongenelen), Identity and Self (João Salgado) and Narratives (Margarida Henriques); some scientific presentations and publications resulted from these collaborations. I have received additional training in fields such as Family Therapy, Emotional Work (with Leslie Greenberg), Attachment, Relaxation Technics, and Communication in a Helping Relationship.