Sara Albuquerque
Clinical Psychologist & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Therapist
Clinical psychologist (PhD) specialised in grief, trauma, and life transitions. I support individuals navigating loss, parenthood challenges, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm with evidence-based, compassionate care.
I specialise in:
About me
I have always been drawn to understanding how people navigate profound life changes — especially those that challenge our sense of identity, belonging, and connection. Over time, this interest became a calling: to support individuals and families facing grief, trauma, and emotionally overwhelming transitions. My clinical and research path led me to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology and focus my research on grief, trauma, perinatal mental health, and family relationships. Over the past 15 years, I have specialise in grief and loss, trauma, and the complex emotional challenges associated with parenthood, separation, and major life transitions. I also support clients experiencing anxiety, depression, emotional overwhelm, or a persistent sense of feeling “stuck.” My therapeutic approach is integrative and grounded in evidence-based practice. I draw primarily on cognitive-behavioural and third-wave therapies — particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-focused approaches — while also incorporating body-based and sensorimotor techniques when helpful. Through this integrative lens, I attend to cognitive, emotional, relational, and bodily processes, supporting the development of psychological flexibility, emotional regulation, and self-compassion. This helps clients face painful experiences while gradually rebuilding meaning, connection, and a sense of continuity in their lives. Alongside my clinical practice, I am a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Lusófona University in Lisbon and my ongoing engagement with research allows me to integrate the latest scientific evidence into my work, while always remaining attentive to the uniqueness of each person’s story. At the heart of my practice is the belief that even in the presence of pain, growth, connection, and meaning remain possible. I strive to offer a safe, thoughtful, and compassionate space where you can process your experiences, reconnect with your values, and move toward a life that feels more coherent and aligned.
I speak:
Location:
Approach
CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Recommended for those who want practical tools to understand and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns.
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Recommended for those who want to develop psychological flexibility and learn to relate differently to difficult thoughts and emotions.
CFT: Compassion-Focused Therapy Recommended for those who struggle with self-criticism and want to cultivate a kinder, more compassionate relationship with themselves.
Sensorimotor / Body-Based Approaches Recommended for those who feel that emotions are strongly connected to bodily sensations (e.g., tension, agitation, numbness). These approaches help regulate the nervous system and process experiences through greater awareness of the body.
Integrative Grief Therapy Specialized support for people dealing with loss, integrating cognitive-behavioural, relational and meaning-focused approaches to help adapt to life after loss.
Experience
Clinical Psychologist – Private Practice (Lisbon area) I provide psychological assessment and psychotherapy for adults experiencing grief and loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, and major life transitions. My work focuses on supporting individuals and families facing bereavement, parenthood challenges, relationship changes, and emotionally overwhelming experiences. I have experience working in different clinical and mental health settings, and my therapeutic approach integrates evidence-based approaches, including cognitive-behavioural and third-wave therapies.
Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology & Researcher – Lusófona University, Lisbon Alongside my clinical work, I teach and supervise students in clinical psychology and psychotherapy. I am also actively involved in research on grief, trauma, perinatal mental health, and family relationships, which allows me to integrate current scientific knowledge into my clinical practice.
Education
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Inter-University Doctoral Programme (University of Coimbra & University of Lisbon, Portugal). Research focused on grief, trauma, and family adjustment following loss.
Integrated Master’s Degree in Psychology (Clinical and Health Psychology), University of Coimbra, with specialization in cognitive-behavioural interventions.
Advanced Postgraduate Training:
- Third-wave cognitive-behavioural therapies, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-focused approaches
- Specialized training in grief and bereavement intervention
- Trauma-focused approaches, including EMDR and sensorimotor/body-based techniques
Services
Individual Session
Insurances
