Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes, BACP

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes trained as an integral therapeutic counsellor, a flexible approach that adapts to each person’s needs and combines several psychotherapy methods. She draws on psychodynamic and client-centered techniques alongside cognitive behavioural strategies and mindfulness-based practices to create a balanced, present-focused way of working. Her practice emphasises awareness of the present moment while remaining attentive to each client’s individual needs, guided by clarity, sensitivity, and professional standards.

She supports adults with a broad range of concerns, including stress and anxiety, depression, addictions, low self-esteem, panic and fear disorders, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, burnout, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, anger, career issues, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes. Additional areas of focus include caregiver stress, chronic illness and disability, codependency, substance addiction, eating and food-related issues, family problems, guilt and shame, impulsivity, isolation and loneliness, life purpose and midlife challenges, self-love, smoking and vaping cessation, and social anxiety and phobia.

Her academic work at master’s and doctoral level examined stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue, including how practices such as mindfulness and self-compassion can support wellbeing. Clinically she integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), client-centered therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness therapy, and psychodynamic approaches to tailor treatment to each person. She works with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and with adults aged 18 and over. Dr. Atanes is a registered member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which is the UK professional association for counsellors and psychotherapists. She provides services in English and Portuguese.