About me
My name is Maryia. I’m an English-speaking psychotherapist based in Porto, with over eight years of experience working with adults in private and clinical settings.
People usually reach out to me when they want to understand themselves more clearly – often after something has shifted. Sometimes it follows a loss, an illness, a move across countries, or a major transition. Sometimes it follows an intense experience, be it a romantic involvement or a profound psychedelic experience. Sometimes the change is harder to name. Life continues, but the inner map no longer works in the same way.
The goal of our work is not insight in theory, but understanding that makes a real difference in how you think, decide, and live. Depending on what’s needed, this may take the form of short, focused consultations around a specific question, or longer-term therapy when the work requires more space.
If you’re looking for a therapist who can hold complexity, ask precise questions, and work both deeply and practically, you’re in the right place.
Most people don’t come with a clear problem they can name. They come because something inside them doesn’t quite line up anymore – a pull in two directions, a question that won’t settle, a sense that they’ve outgrown an old way of understanding themselves. Often, they’ve been carrying it alone for a long time.
In our work together, I pay close attention to what’s happening as it unfolds. Not just the story you tell, but how you tell it – where you hesitate, where things speed up, where certain themes keep returning. We slow things down enough to see the pattern clearly. From there, the work can be very focused and practical, or it can open into deeper territory around identity, meaning, and continuity. I’m comfortable moving between those layers without forcing everything into one frame.
I’ve lived across different countries since I was sixteen. Because of that, questions of identity, belonging, and adaptation have always felt lived rather than theoretical to me. That sensitivity naturally carries into my work, especially with people whose lives don’t fit neatly into one place, one role, or one version of themselves.
A large part of my clinical life has unfolded alongside serious illness, particularly cancer. Working in psycho-oncology confronts you very quickly with the limits of conventional psychological language. When illness, uncertainty, and mortality are present, reassurance and technique alone stop being useful. What matters instead is the capacity to stay present, think clearly under pressure, and sit with experiences that cannot be fixed or resolved. That work shaped me deeply and pushed me beyond narrow clinical models.
It was through this work that I became increasingly interested in approaches at the edges of conventional treatment -including cannabis and, later, psychedelics. I became fascinated by the psychological potential of psychedelic experiences: their ability to reorganize meaning, loosen rigid patterns, and open new ways of relating to oneself and to life. Alongside my clinical work, I conducted research on psilocybin and am part of a large research initiative focused on psychedelics and mental health.
Today, I support preparation for and integration of psychedelic or non-ordinary experiences, working carefully within legal and ethical boundaries. In the room with me, the work is quiet, attentive, and human – sometimes focused and solution-oriented, sometimes deeper and slower, always grounded in honesty and care.
What's it like to work with me
Areas of Expertise
Stress Management
Learn techniques to reduce stress, such as relaxation, mindfulness, and cognitive strategies, helping you feel more balanced and resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
Self Esteem
Boost your self-worth by exploring and changing negative self-beliefs, fostering self-compassion, and enhancing your confidence to live a more fulfilling life.
Anxiety
Understand the roots of your anxiety and develop practical strategies to manage excessive worry, fear, and physical symptoms, leading to greater calm and control.
Depression
Overcome feelings of sadness and hopelessness by identifying negative thought patterns, improving your mood, and increasing engagement with life through supportive therapy.
Gender and Sexuality
Explore your gender identity and sexual orientation in a safe, non-judgmental space, helping you navigate challenges and embrace your authentic self.
LGBTQA+ affirmative therapy
Receive support and validation in an accepting environment, focusing on empowering LGBTQA individuals to embrace their identity and address related life challenges.
Life Transitions
Navigate major life changes such as career shifts, relationships, or personal growth with guidance that promotes emotional resilience and adaptability during these periods.
Sexual and Psychological Abuse
Heal from trauma by processing painful experiences, building trust, and regaining control over your life in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
Panic and Anxiety Attacks
Learn to manage and reduce panic and anxiety attacks by addressing their triggers and implementing coping strategies that restore a sense of calm.
Cancer and Terminal Illness
Find support in coping with the emotional challenges of a terminal diagnosis, addressing fears, acceptance, and end-of-life concerns with compassion and understanding.
Relationship Issues
Strengthen communication and emotional connection with partners or loved ones, resolving conflicts and improving intimacy through therapeutic strategies.
Grief Management
Process the pain of loss, allowing you to honor your grief, navigate the healing journey, and find meaning after losing a loved one.
Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Address and heal from past trauma by exploring its impact on your mind and body, building resilience, and regaining control over your emotional well-being.
Unresolved Trauma
Unresolved trauma can deeply affect your emotional well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, or relationship struggles. In therapy, we work through past wounds to help you process and heal, allowing you to regain emotional balance and move forward with clarity.
Psychedelic Integration:
If you’ve had a psychedelic experience, therapy can help you process and integrate the insights gained. By exploring and understanding these altered states, we can work together to bring meaningful shifts into your daily life and emotional growth.