Rodrigo Novaes
Counsellor
I specialise in:
About me
I’m an Italian-Brazilian psychologist and psychoanalyst trained in 3 different continents, with clinical experience across different cultural contexts. My professional path has been shaped by a commitment to working with people in situations of transition, dislocation, or emotional crisis. I’ve supported individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, complex trauma, impostor syndrome, questions of identity and belonging, as well as the pressures of migration and adapting to new environments.
Before settling in the Netherlands, I lived and worked across three continents, which deepened my understanding of the emotional and relational challenges that come with change, especially in intercultural settings. I’ve worked in clinical settings, social organizations, and with communities in vulnerable situations—particularly migrants and displaced populations.
In therapy, I aim to offer a space where people can reflect on their own story, suffering, and desires beyond expectations of quick fixes or self-optimization. I believe that each person’s psychic life has its own rhythm, and that true change takes time, care, and curiosity. Sessions are offered in Portuguese or English, online or in person.
I speak:
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Approach
In my therapeutic approach, I recognize the uniqueness of each person's life trajectory that led them to seek psychological support. Below, I explore three foundations that guide my understanding of psychic functioning and the therapeutic process.
I start from the principle that many of the deepest psychic problems originate from unconscious conflicts. Human functioning is composed of complex layers that often take time to fully understand and of which we are slow to become aware. These problems are not easily accessible because the mechanisms we develop to protect ourselves from pain also hinder the possibility of change. It is a process that requires time and patience to dismantle these barriers and allow for true inner transformation.
Many of the coping mechanisms we use in adulthood are reactivations of mechanisms learned during childhood development. These behaviors were shaped by interactions with family members and other significant figures, possibly adapted at some point to satisfy fundamental emotional needs. However, such mechanisms can become dysfunctional, perpetuating patterns of suffering and restricting the flow of desire. Therapy offers the opportunity to deconstruct these modes of operation, promoting new forms of contact and expression. An essential element for effective psychotherapy is the development of a unique therapeutic alliance, where discomfort can be confronted in a confidential and trusting environment.
Each person is unique and, therefore, requires distinct therapeutic approaches. I construct the therapeutic relationship based on the specific needs of each patient. The process may include confrontations, metaphors, dreams, myths, mental images, among other tools. My approach is based on an ontological view of psychoanalysis, without dismissing the valuable contributions of other schools of thought use tools from Schema therapy Gestalt Therapy, in addition to drawing inspiration from Freud, Jung and Lacan.
