Frequently Asked Questions about Psychotherapy
Is therapy right for me / how do I know if this is a good fit?
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship matters at least as much as the method or approach. Therapy works best when there is trust, a sense of being understood, and confidence in the therapist’s way of thinking and working.
My practice tends to suit adults who are reflective and curious about their inner life, especially when something no longer makes sense – even if things appear stable from the outside. I place a lot of importance on the therapeutic alliance: paying close attention to how we work together, whether the pace feels right, and whether the space allows you to speak honestly without having to perform or simplify your experience.
Therapy isn’t about fixing what’s “wrong,” nor is it a solution for every situation. It’s a process of understanding yourself more clearly – how you think, relate, protect yourself, and make meaning – so that you can move through life with more coherence, agency, and hopefully joy.
Part of the work is also deciding whether this kind of process, and this particular therapeutic relationship, feels like the right fit for you. If you’re keen to explore, start here.
What is the difference between individual therapy and self-exploration & preparation?
Individual therapy is open-ended and unfolds over time, allowing space for deeper, ongoing work.
Self-Exploration & Preparation is a shorter, more structured process focused on orientation – clarifying identity questions, inner anchors, or readiness before an important step, which may stand alone or naturally lead into longer-term therapy.
See more details here.
Do you work with psychedelic experiences?
Yes – within clear clinical, legal, and ethical boundaries. I work with preparation for psychedelic experiences and with the psychological work around meaning, identity, and integration that follows. This is an area I’m deeply engaged in, both clinically and academically: I’ve conducted research on psilocybin and am involved in a large research initiative focused on psychedelics and mental health. While I’m broadly supportive of psychedelic-assisted therapies, it’s important to be clear about current local limits: in Portugal, only ketamine-assisted treatment is approved within the public system, other substances cannot yet be offered in a truly safe, regulated therapeutic setting.
People often reach out not because they want to talk about the experience itself, but because of what it brings up – questions about identity, direction, vulnerability, or change – or because they feel drawn toward such an experience and want to approach it thoughtfully rather than impulsively. In this work, we focus on readiness, context, risks, and how psychedelic experiences fit into the broader arc of a person’s life, rather than treating them as isolated or inherently transformative events.
If this is relevant for you, there might be some useful questions to consider, like:
What is drawing you toward this now? What are you hoping it might clarify — and what support would you need for it to be integrated responsibly into your life?
Do you work online or in person?
What is your fee? How much will therapy cost and how does the payment work?
While looking for support you might encounter a range of fees for seemingly similar kind of service. Different mental health practitioners offer different kind of help or support. Therapy fees normally vary based on training, experience, location, and whether sessions are online or in person.
I prefer transparent pricing, ensuring that the financial aspect is clear. The payment method varies depending on your location and preference. Check out my Services & Rates page for more details.
What can I expect from my first session?
The first session is typically a time for you and your therapist to get to know each other.
We’ll discuss your background, the concerns that brought you to therapy, and dedicate some time to explore your goals.
It’s a collaborative process, so this session also helps you determine if you feel comfortable with me and if my approach feels suitable for your needs.
What if I don't feel comfortable with my therapist?
It’s important to feel comfortable and safe in therapy.
If you ever feel that your working relationship with your therapist isn’t the right fit, the key is to communicate these feelings openly.
Keep in mind that therapy sessions are for you and during that time you are not supposed to cater to anyone else’s needs but your own.
Sometimes, the issue lies with an (subjectively) ineffective therapeutic approach which can usually be adjusted by your therapist. In some cases, it can signify the incompatibility with your therapist and in that case a therapist can refer you to another professional. But it is important to note, that quite often, uncomfortable feelings arise in therapy as a natural response to the evolution of the therapeutic relationship. After all, therapy requires some level of vulnerability and dedication and it might prove to be challenging.
So, to reiterate, clear communication is key and in order to understand the root of these feelings, it is always best to talk it through with your therapist.
Do clinical psychologist only work with clinical diagnoses?
No. Therapy is not exclusively for people who have a clinical diagnosis. It serves a broad spectrum of needs, offering support for personal growth, life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional well-being. In everyday life, therapy becomes a form of self-care to make sure you’re attuned to your needs and feelings and living a more fulfilling life.
Clinical psychologists, while trained to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, do not limit their work to to DSMV alone.
Extensive and demanding training equips clinical psychologists with a level of precision and depth grounded in research, allowing them to support people with both clinical concerns and broader challenges that affect how they function and feel.
Whether you’re facing significant struggles or simply want to grow, therapy is a valuable tool to support well-being and help you thrive. If you’d like to talk more, feel free to send me a message.
What should I talk about in therapy?
There are no rules about what ‘should’ be discussed in therapy as it is such a deeply personal and ultimately subjective process.
In other words, you can talk about whatever is on your mind. Whether it’s a specific issue you’re facing, past experiences, or broader emotional struggles, therapy is a space for you to express yourself freely.
Together we can explore the underlying patterns, triggers, and strategies to move you forward.
What happens if I miss a session?
If you need to skip a session, please let me know as soon as possible. We can reschedule, but I may charge a fee for missed appointments without prior notice.
It’s important to maintain consistency in therapy, but sometimes life happens and situations arise, so we can figure out a better time alternative together.
How can I prepare for therapy?
There’s no need to prepare extensively for therapy, but it can certainly be helpful to reflect on what you hope to achieve and any key challenges you’d like to address in therapy.
If you have specific goals or concerns in mind, bring them to our first session so we could explore further. That being said, just showing up for therapy (and ultimately, for yourself) is enough, we can set the goals together, as part of the process.
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is a fundamental part of my work and is governed by the ethical and professional regulations of the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP), as well as by applicable data protection and professional liability requirements. What you share in sessions remains confidential, and I do not disclose information to third parties without your explicit consent.
In practice, this means I do not communicate with employers, family members, partners, doctors, insurers, or other institutions about you, nor do I confirm whether someone is or is not my client, unless you explicitly request this and provide written consent.
There are limited, legally defined exceptions to confidentiality. These include situations where there is a serious and imminent risk of harm to you or to others, or where disclosure is required by law. If such circumstances arise, they are approached carefully and with transparency, in line with professional and legal obligations.
For online work, sessions are conducted using commonly used communication platforms. While no online communication can be guaranteed to be entirely risk-free, I follow professional standards and ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality and data protection within the scope of my role as a clinician.
What’s the difference between a clinical psychologist, a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist?
All of these professions work with mental health, but they differ in training, scope of practice, and responsibilities. While the exact regulations vary by country (including between Portugal, the EU, and the United States), the core distinctions are broadly similar.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school and specialist training in psychiatry. They can diagnose mental disorders and are the only professionals among this group who can prescribe medication (such as antidepressants). Many psychiatrists also receive training in psychotherapy, though their work often focuses on medical assessment and pharmacological treatment.
Clinical psychologists are trained at the doctoral or master’s level (depending on the country) in psychology, with extensive supervised clinical practice. They are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychotherapeutic approaches. Clinical psychologists do not prescribe medication, but they often collaborate with psychiatrists when medication may be helpful.
Psychologists is a broader term that includes professionals trained in psychology who may work in many settings, such as schools, research, organizations, or private practice. Not all psychologists are trained or licensed to provide clinical treatment or psychotherapy; this depends on their specialization and local regulations.
Psychotherapists are professionals trained specifically in providing psychotherapy, often within one or more therapeutic approaches. Their background can vary (for example, psychology, medicine, or other mental health fields), and in many systems they do not conduct formal psychological diagnosis or prescribe medication, referring to clinical psychologists or psychiatrists when assessment or medical treatment is needed.
Because titles and legal scopes vary across countries, it’s always important to check a practitioner’s credentials, training, and licensing to ensure they are appropriately qualified for the kind of support you’re seeking. I’m registered with the Ordem dos Psicólogos, as per legal requirements and norms of Portugal.