Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
(Brazil CRP 07/17471 | Ireland M.Ps.SI 9952)
Post-doctorate in Psychology
Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
(Brazil CRP 07/17471 | Ireland M.Ps.SI 9952)
Post-doctorate in Psychology
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Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
(CC.Psychol., Ps.SI 9952)
Post-doctor in Psychology
ABOUT ME
I am a Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, Post-doctor in Psychology.
I'm Senior Chartered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
ACADEMIC EDUCATION
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Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (UNISINOS, 2009)
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Specialist in Neuropsychology (CFP, 2018)
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Master Degree in Clinical Psychology (UNISINOS, 2011)
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Doctor Degree in Psychology (UFRGS, 2015)
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Post-doctor in Psychology and Neurosciences (UFRGS, 2018)
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Certified by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) since 2018
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Senior Chartered Psychologist by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) M. Ps. SI 9952
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Full Member of Special Interest Group in Autism - PSI
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Certified ADOS-2 [Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule] (Trinity College Dublin, 2022)
Professional accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and
Enabled by the Federal Council of Psychology of Brazil for online sessions
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I am a psychologist and I have been working in the clinical area, with psychotherapy since 2009.
My work is supported by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a directive, brief and evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach. CBT is a collaborative therapy, which means that the therapist encourages the client’s active participation through tasks during and between sessions.
In addition to my private practice, I am also a researcher and university professor , teaching subjects in my areas of expertise: psychological and neuropsychological assessment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Neuropsychology.
For approximately 10 years I worked at a clinical private practice and for a health insurance company in Brazil, providing clinical care in the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) sessions and neuropsychological assessments.
In 2018 I recognised my degree in Ireland and I became registered as a Chartered Psychologist - the platinum membership signifying the highest level of academic achievement - of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
SERVICES
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Psychotherapy - CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
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Assessment - Psychological and Neuropsychological assessment for AUTISM and ADHD
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Sessions provided online or in person.
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Children, adolescents and adults.
[CBT]
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CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) is evidence-based, with proven efficacy in the treatment of numerous emotional problems, such as depression, phobias, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) , obesity, interpersonal problems, among others.
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CBT basically acts on problems manifested through thoughts, feelings, behaviors and physiological manifestations.
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The cognitive-behavioral psychologist uses techniques that vary from one disorder to another, however, the focus remains on helping the patient to change their thoughts (misinterpretations) and behaviors, aiming at a better quality of life.
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CBT is indicated for all age groups and its application covers individual, couple or group therapy, with extensive scientific evidence of its effectiveness in the online modality.
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Anxiety Disorders
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General Anxiety Disorder [GAD]
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Social Anxiety
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Panic Disorder/Panic Attacks
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Depressive Disorders
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Depression
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Dysthymia
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Bipolar Disorder
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Adaptation/adjustment disorders
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Adverse and stressful situations, such as unemployment, divorce or academic failure
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Phobias (General and Specific)
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Emotional Difficulties
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Relationship problems
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Personal development
[Neuropsychology]
- Neuropsychology is a specialty that combines the detailed study of the nervous system with the analysis of human behavior and psychological processes.
Neuropsychology seeks to understand the association between cognitive functions, behavior and emotions. Among the main cognitive functions, we highlight: -
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Attention;
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Memory;
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Intelligence;
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Language;
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Judgment ability;
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Decision making;
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Reasoning;
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Executive Functions.
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Neuropsychology is also highly requested in the investigation of cognitive damage in patients with neuro-psychiatric conditions, such as Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, Psychoses, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and in pre- and post-surgical conditions.
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Through neuropsychological assessment, it is possible, for example, to identify whether changes in a person's behavior and cognitive functions correspond to what is expected for age or the psychosocial context of the moment.
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder, of genetic causes, which appears in childhood and often accompanies the individual throughout his life.
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It is characterised by symptoms of inattention, restlessness, and impulsivity.
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It is sometimes called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).
The psychological assessment of ADHD follows the Irish Guidelines, including:
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Clinical interview
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Assessment with standardised psychological tests and scales to assess focus, hyperactivity and impulsivity;
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Assessment of cognitive and executive functions;
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Questionnaires answered by family members (+ parents and school, when evaluating children)
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Report with diagnostic result according to the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), including (where indicated) recommendations and referral to other specialists.
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
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Due to its multidimensional nature, ASD may have an early onset and the initial manifestations may appear even before 36 months.
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Among the signs and symptoms that should be observed in infants and preschool children for suspected ASD, the following stand out:
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little or rare eye contact,
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lack of guidance to the name / lack of response when called,
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lack of use of gestures to point and/or show,
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does not point or wave to “bye-bye”,
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absence of interactive games,
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absence of smile,
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absence of facial expressions,
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absence of sharing,
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lack of interest in other babies/children,
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repetitive movements,
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simple motor stereotypies, such as aligning toys and rotating objects,
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not smile when you see your mother approaching,
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not following objects visually,
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absence of symbolic functions, such as imitating gestures,
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manifestation of resistance to change, such as inflexibility to changes in routine.
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Furthermore, language and social delays and/or regression of language or social milestones are important alerts to the need for an assessment for early identification of ASD.
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The psychological assessment of ASD follows the Irish Guidelines for the Assessment, Formulation and Diagnosis of Autism in Children and Adolescents (2nd ed., PSI, 2022), being conducted by a Chartered Psychologist, Full Member of the Special Interest Group on Autism (PSI) and certified ADOS-2 by Trinity College Dublin.
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Psychological assessment includes, among other steps and instruments, the application of Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), do Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and do Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2 (ADOS-2).
ONLINE SESSIONS
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Online sessions in Psychology (or Tele-psychology) gained worldwide notoriety with the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Due to it is a "more current" modality, many people still have doubts about the functioning of Online Therapy.
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There are several possibilities for online services.
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My work takes place synchronously, that is, in real time , through video calls .
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The initial "step-by-step" to schedule an appointment is, basically:
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The patient makes contact (preferably by WhatsApp) expressing interest on book an appointment;
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The appointment is scheduled according availability;
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The next step is the payment: When patient proceed whit the payment than the session is confirmed;
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The patient receive a link with credentials to access the room.
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The online consultation, by video call, follows the same format as the face-to-face consultation.
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The sessions can not be recorded without prior written formal consent.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ONLINE THERAPY?
Online therapy means you don’t have to travel anywhere to get the help you need, saving you time and money.
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Convenience: Online therapy means you can access help from anywhere you have a fast Internet connection.
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Comfort and safety: Seeing an online therapist from the comfort and security of your own home.
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Scientific studies prove that online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy.
CONTACT and APPOINTMENTS
+353 83 891 8134
ADDRESS
One Body - InterCultural Psychology
18 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan Road, Blackrock
Dublin
A94 R5P6
PUBLICATIONS
In addition to working as a Clinical Psychologist, I also work as a Psychology professor and as a researcher.
Below is a list of some articles and book chapters of my authorship or co-authorship.
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES (AUTHOR / CO-AUTHOR)
Neuropsychological assessment of executive functioning, levels of anxiety, depression and anger in polydrug users: a comparative study. LATIN AMERICAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY.
Female crack cocaine users under treatment at therapeutic communities in southern Brazil: characteristics, pattern of consumption, and psychiatric comorbidities. TRENDS IN PSYCHIATRY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY.
Inhibitory Control and Impulsivity Levels in Women Crack Users. Substance Use & Misuse.
Impact of Crack use on executive functions: a systematic review. LATIN AMERICAN NEUROPSYCHOLOGY.
Relationship between attention and performance in reading, writing and arithmetic in children. PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Effects of Crack Use on the Fetus and Newborn: A Review Study. IMED Psychology Journal
Glucocorticoid receptor gene modulates severity of depression in women with crack cocaine addiction. European Neuropsychopharmacology
Plasma interleukin-6 and executive function in crack cocaine-dependent women. Neuroscience Letters
The Perspective of Crack Users Regarding Their Social Reintegration after the End of Treatment in Therapeutic Communities. Psychology.
Emotional and Behavioral Problems and Family Climate in Adolescents and their Parents. Psycho-PUCRS.
Family Relations, Stressful Events and Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescence: a Longitudinal Study. The Spanish Journal of Psychology
Internalizing symptoms in adolescence and family relationships: a systematic review of the literature. Psycho-USF
Bullying: A study on social roles, anxiety and depression in the school context. INTERPERSONA : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Psychiatric comorbidities in drug addicts in abstinence in a protected environment. Psychology Studies (UFRN)
BOOKS (AUTHOR / CO-AUTHOR)
Assessment of Family Relations and Depression in Institutionalized Children and Adolescents. In: Claudio Simon Hutz. (Org.). Advances in Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment of Children and Adolescents. 1d.São Paulo: Casa do Psicólogo
Learn with friends, teach friends? Relationships between friendship and learning processes. In: Souza Neto, JC & Andrade, MS (Orgs.). (Org.). Multiple views on learning and human coexistence. 1d.São Paulo - SP: Expressão & Arte Editora
The complete curriculum vitae can be accessed at: http://lattes.cnpq.br/6923261955664318