It's Complicated

Sharifa Ahrendsen

(she/her)

Counsellor

Available for new clients

I specialise in:

At a glance
Lisbon, PortugalAvailable in-person and online

About me

Technical Stuff: I was trained at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill: 4th best of its kind in USA. My study focus there was Clinical Social Work. This was a great addition to my bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies from University of Maryland, College Park. Now I help clients all over the world with 13 years and counting of experience, education, training and licensure. Professional Stuff: My education led to my day job, private practice where I support people using talk therapy. My heart led me to create beyond pathology and find a way to apply macro social work approaches to micro (individual) common problems, so I created a mental health startup named Sit With. This project brings support groups, nature therapy, mental health self-help tools and social movements to empower individuals and communities. My time as a hospital emergency room support, child abuse prevention group therapy facilitator, university counseling center therapist, and serial entrepreneur I am my ancestors wildest dreams ^_^ Personal Stuff: I am a Black, queer, mother, wife, friend, author, neurospicy, system questioning over thinker so I’m always daydreaming of world peace. My passion is growing despite the healthcare industrial complex, to make the magic of talk therapy accessible, and to positively impact individuals and communities.

I speak:

English

Location:

Lisbon, Portugal

Approach

Treatment Approaches
CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapyRecommended for those looking for practical support and accountability to change unhelpful thinking and behaviors.
IFS: Internal Family SystemsRecommended for those who want to explore and heal the different parts of themselves that might feel conflicted or overwhelmed.
Solution-focused therapyRecommended for those who want quick, practical solutions to their problems without focusing too much time on the past.
I use a combination of modalities to best fit clients unique experiences. Clients respond most to psychodynamic, CBT, DBT, IFS, ACT, and integrative therapy tools and interventions. I provide counseling (for short term solution focus problem solving like relationship conflict, work stress, grief, life transitions (moving), etc. and therapy (for long term persistent mental health needs like generalized anxiety disorder, depression, mood disorders, OCD, and more) We always start with a few long sessions that walk down memory lane, known as an intake and assessment to put you in context. Then we focus on a symptom that have been very problematic to you recently (sleep, communication, brain fog, etc) to find relief. This usually happens by session 6, and builds confidence and connection in a therapeutic space allowing us to go deeper to the root of your problem session 6 and beyond. I customise your treatment plan based on your goals and availability. Short term clients follow a system that focuses on feeling better quickly and solving a specific problem while long term follow a path of feeling better quickly, storytelling, and reconnecting with your authentic self (you before life happened to you). Whichever approach interests you it is my responsibility and passion to empower you to be the leader in your life, to be your best caretaker for yourself, to present the version of yourself you’re most proud of and release burdens that weigh you down with fear and regret.

Services

Intro Call

Free 15 min Online & In-person

Family Session

€120 50 min Online
Work with me to address issues related to family dynamics or similar

Individual Session

€120 50 min Online & In-person
We work together to address anything that is on your mind

Individual Session

Sliding scale
€60 50 min Online & In-person
A limited number of sliding scale slots are available upon request for BIPOC clients only. These sessions are otherwise identical to the regular sessions.

Insurances

Private PayPrivate Insurance
At a glance
Lisbon, PortugalAvailable in-person and online

Other recommendations

Felix-Tim Sproß
Psychologist
Constance, Germany
My psychological counseling combines experience from professional sports with scientific strategies from psychology. Solution- and goal-oriented, as well as empathetic, open, and appreciative.
Elizabeth Ritchie
Social worker & Psychological Counsellor
Bochum, Germany
I am an English-speaking counselor living in Germany. My mission is to help you improve your relationship with yourself, your loved ones, and to resolve emotional wounds that may be holding you back.
Benedikt Schmidt
Clinical Psychologist & Psychotherapist in training
Heidelberg, Germany
Psychological Support for Anxiety, Depression, and Burnout.
Ioulia Fatourou
Psychologist & Counsellor
Kallithea, Greece
As a psychologist, I value the therapeutic relationship as the foundation for meaningful change. My work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and delivered within a collaborative, respectful, and support.
Yiannis Kontogiorgis
Psychologist
Athens, Greece
Therapy can be a complex journey toward a life worth living. I can accompany you on this path, combining my training in meditation in Thailand, my education in CBT from Utrecht University, and positive psychology.
Daniella Marchick
Counsellor & EMDR Counsellor
Porto, Portugal
Being alive is complex! Together, we’ll work toward greater personal awareness, explore choices, understand yourSelf. Using evidence-based practices like IFS and EMDR to reprocess limiting beliefs and heal old wounds.
Ellie Harvey-Kummer
Integrative Counsellor
London, United Kingdom
I’m an integrative counsellor and coach, supporting adults through life’s challenges. I help with self-doubt, unhelpful patterns and pressures from work, relationships, or loss.
Gaya Yona
Psychological Counsellor & Psychologist
Amsterdam, Netherlands
I support clients in navigating challenges with compassion and clarity, drawing on my clinical psychology training to create a safe and collaborative space for growth.
Next available: Jun 9