WHO AM I
I am a cross-cultural trauma-informed psychologist and a published researcher with over 20 years of experience working with mental health across the private practice, public, organisational and community services sectors.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work with diverse traumatised populations such as veterans, refugees, young people leaving foster care, adults survivors of childhood trauma, traumatic grief & loss, work related psychological injury, sexual abuse, victims of crime and family violence, among other presentations.
I blend evidence based interventions with warmth and care:
I strive to meet individual needs by using a warm, non-judgemental and empathetic approach based on an ethical and strong therapeutical alliance. I enjoy working collaboratively with my clients using only evidence-based strategies aimed at facilitating post-traumatic growth (PTG). I adhere to the principals of best practice, using a trauma- and attachment- informed approach.
I have been working in private practice since 2015. For a period of nine years (from 2017 to early 2026), I worked alongside my business partner as the Co-Founder, Director and Principal Psychologist of Qualità Consultant Psychologists Pty Ltd. Qualità Psychology was a well established clinic with 9 years of partnership catering for the Sydney CBD, Northern Beaches (Dee Why) and Northern Sydney (Pymble) areas, and also the Brazilian and Portuguese communities across Sydney.
However, since moving to the Central Coast in 2020, I slowly moved my services to Erina and focused on building my solo practice – now rebranded as Vida Psychology.
Currently, I work with adults (18+) and also provide treatment or supervision to other psychologists and counsellors. My approach integrates EMDR and Schema Therapy techniques, as well as CBT strategies depending on the client’s complain and presentation. I am also competent at administering psychometric and medico-legal assessments.
My interests are:
Life transitions/adjustment issues, grief & loss, trauma recovery, C-PTSD, anxiety (panic, OCD, GAD), mood disorders (depression and bipolar), personality disorders, eating disorders, self-image and identity issues, as well as attachment and parts work.
I accept the following referrals:
- Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative (Medicare)
- Private Health Insurance
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
- Victims Support Scheme (Victims of Crime NSW)
Unfortunately, I no longer accept bulk billing or WorkCover claims.
A little bit about me, personally:
I am Brazilian, and migrated to Australia in 2003. During the past 23 years, I transferred my psychology degree from PUC-SP in Brazil to UNSW, and graduated in 2009. I then completed my placement and supervision in a disability support service, and transitioned into private practice in 2015. I have two daughters and as a true Brazilian, I spend most of my personal life hanging out with family and friends. I also enjoy nature, food and a good laugh. I bring humour, understanding, and some of my personal experience into my practice – such as the experience with childhood trauma, domestic violence, divorce and post-traumatic growth. I believe that real connection (including within) is what makes us heal and thrive.
My qualifications:
- I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of New South Wales, Sydney (UNSW).
- Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (BPsySc), First-Class Honours A from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP).
- I have also also received intensive training in psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) interventions from the Pontifical Catholic University of Sao Paulo (PUC-SP).
- Certification training in Schema Therapy with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST).
- Basic training (levels 1 and 2) in EMDR with the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
- I have an Advanced Diploma in Community Management from Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC), and a
- Certificate IV in Human Resources from Bridge Business College.
Registrations:
- I am registered with the Psychology Board of Australia since 2014 (Australian Health Practitioners Registration Agency – AHPRA), and
- I am also registered as a Board-approved (PSyBA) supervisor since 2018.
Memberships:
- Member of the International Association of Applied Neuroscience (IAAN).
- Member of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST); and
- Associate Member of the EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA).
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