Ana is an AHPRA-registered and APS-affiliated psychologist (MAPS) with experience in private clinics and in the not-for-profit clinical space. Her areas of focus include anxiety and depression, work and study-induced stress, feelings of overwhelm and burnout, familial relationship issues, attachment issues, and a range of other afflictions that affect us in the modern world.
Ana’s approach to therapy is both patient and grounded, creating a collaborative space where emotions and difficulties can be explored with care. In early sessions with her, she will work together with you to understand what has brought you to therapy, and how you can collectively work towards meaningful change. Her main aim is to support clients in developing greater emotional awareness, self-confidence, and lasting change.
Ana’s clinical approach is primarily based in Attachment-Based Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (AB-ISTDP), an evidence-based and emotion-focused psychodynamic approach that helps people better understand and experience their internal world. Where appropriate, she also integrates other therapeutic frameworks, such as Person-Centred Approach (PCA), to tailor therapy to your particular needs. Originally from Brazil, Ana can offer therapy in both English and Portuguese.
Ana believes that a cornerstone of being an engaged therapist is attentiveness to emotional patterns as they emerge in our sessions. While her work can involve challenging feelings, she places a strong emphasis on safety, collaboration, and working at a pace that feels manageable and supportive.
Ana works with clients experiencing a range of concerns, including:
· Anxiety and depression
· Feelings of overwhelm and burnout
· Familial relationship issues
· Issues of identity
· Repressed emotions
· Work or study-related stress
· Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
· Anxious or avoidant attachment
· Compulsive behaviours
· Building assertiveness and setting boundaries
