Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes trained as an integral therapeutic counsellor and brings five years of clinical experience to her work. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and offers sessions in English and Portuguese. Ana Cristina focuses on practical ways to manage everyday problems like stress, anxiety, anger and sleep difficulties.

Her approach balances present-moment awareness with clear, sensible guidance. She draws on mindfulness, client-centred listening, cognitive behavioural tools and psychodynamic thinking. In sessions she helps people notice patterns, try new habits and practise simple skills between meetings.

Her postgraduate research, including a master’s and a PhD, examined stress, burnout and compassion fatigue. That work shapes how she supports people dealing with chronic stress, caregiver strain and work-related exhaustion. She also works with addictions, chronic pain and life transitions.

Ana Cristina aims to make therapy practical and understandable. Conversations tend to be calm and focused, with attention to what feels most urgent for the person seeking help. She encourages realistic steps that fit into daily life.

People from diverse cultural backgrounds and from a range of adult ages (18+) are invited to explore concerns with her. She accepts international clients, and sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

How therapeutic approaches are used online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and values-based action rather than getting stuck on difficult feelings. Online ACT sessions often focus on simple exercises to practise between meetings and on identifying small steps that reflect what matters to the person.

Mindfulness-based approaches teach present-moment awareness and gentle self-compassion. Over video or phone, these methods involve guided exercises and short, manageable practices to reduce stress, burnout and habitual reactivity such as anger.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with each person to decide which methods suit their goals, needs and preferences. That discussion can happen in early sessions and be adjusted as progress is made.

Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy day, avoiding travel and making it easier to attend from different locations. If you need clarity on the exact session formats offered, confirm available options before booking. The focus is on making therapeutic work realistic and doable alongside everyday life.