Diogo Carreiras
Clinical and Health Psychologist & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Therapist
I’m a clinical psychologist who supports people struggling with emotional dysregulation and identity challenges through evidence-based therapies that foster acceptance, compassion, and psychological flexibility.
I specialise in:
About me
I’ve wanted to be a psychologist for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I struggled with emotional dysregulation and intense feelings that often felt overwhelming. Growing up as an LGBTQIA+ person deeply influenced the therapist I am today. Experiencing alienation, loneliness, and the complexities of visibility gave me a profound understanding of the importance of self-knowledge, emotional awareness and social belonging.
These early experiences shaped not only my personal growth, but also my professional calling: supporting others as they work through emotional difficulties and rediscover their strength, identity, and capacity to thrive.
I completed my PhD in 2023, focusing on personality disorders, an area I’ve always found deeply meaningful and complex. I’m particularly interested in the depth of human experience: identity, relationships, emotional (dys)regulation, and the ways we learn to cope. In the last 11 years, I have focused my academic and clinical work on third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), as I believe these approaches offer essential tools for developing acceptance, self-compassion, and emotional regulation skills. I am currently a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Lusófona University (Porto, Portugal), where I teach and supervise future psychologists, striving to pass on the professional values and ethical principles that guide my own work as a clinician and researcher.
My work is grounded in compassion, curiosity, and respect for each person’s unique story. I aim to create a space where people feel seen, affirmed, and genuinely safe to explore who they truly are.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
My therapeutic approach is integrative, evidence-based, and deeply relational. I draw primarily from third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies, while tailoring the work to each person’s unique history, personality, and needs. I value balancing structure with emotional depth to help people developing practical skills for regulation and coping, while also exploring identity, attachment patterns, and the meaning behind their experiences. Above all, I prioritise creating a collaborative, non-judgmental space where people feel safe enough to be vulnerable, curious about themselves, and open to change. I see therapy as a process of increasing awareness, strengthening emotional flexibility, and building a life that feels more aligned, compassionate, and authentic.
Experience
Clinical Experience Since 2015, I have been in clinical practice working with at-risk youth, university students, and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, and personality disorder traits. My clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Research Experience Since 2018, I have also been involved in research focusing on emotion (dys)regulation strategies across diverse populations, including adolescents, adults, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and oncology patients. This work has explored emotional processes in the context of a range of psychological difficulties, from anxiety and depression to interpersonal challenges and eating-related problems.
Education
2009-2014: Integrated Master’s Degree in Cognitive-Behavioural Intervention in Psychopathology and Health (University of Coimbra, Portugal).
2018-2023: PhD in Clinical Psychology (University of Coimbra, Portugal), with a focus on the developmental trajectories of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) from adolescence into adulthood.
Additional trainning: 2018: The Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Program (8 weeks) 2019: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain (1 day) 2022: Intensive training on Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for people in crises, suicidality and difficulties with emotion regulation (1 week)
Services
Intro Call
Individual Session
Insurances
