About me
I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Prior to my doctoral training, I was already a fully qualified and BABCP Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and a registered counsellor with the BACP.
With over 20 years of experience, I have worked across primary care, secondary care, forensic, and acute settings, treating a wide range of complex psychological, behavioural, and emotional difficulties. My experience spans private practice, NHS services, forensic settings, and digital mental health platforms.
I am originally from Venezuela and offer therapy in Spanish for those who prefer sessions in their native language.
Specialist Experience in Addiction & Trauma
A significant part of my career has been dedicated to addiction treatment and trauma recovery. From 2003 to 2009, I worked solely in addiction services, helping individuals overcome substance use disorders, underlying trauma, and co-occurring mental health issues.
Between 2003 and 2005, I worked in HMP Highpoint, a prison setting where I ran CBT-based drug rehabilitation groups and provided one-to-one counselling for individuals facing severe substance dependency, PTSD, and complex trauma. At the time, I had recently completed my BSc in Psychology, and this role marked the beginning of my practical therapeutic training. While working in forensic addiction services, I pursued my first professional counselling qualification in Integrative Counselling (2002-2004) to enhance my ability to support this population effectively.
Between 2005 and 2009, I continued my work in community addiction services, developing specialist CBT-based treatment programs and working with individuals struggling with opioid, stimulant, and alcohol addiction.
After over a decade of working in various mental health settings, I returned to addiction services between December 2019 and June 2021, working with Change, Grow, Live (CGL). While my work may seem eclectic, it reflects my genuine desire to help people recover from one form of trauma or another.
Areas of Expertise
My primary interests include:
Addictions (alcohol, drugs, behavioural addictions, relapse prevention)
Anxiety disorders (panic disorder, PTSD, OCD, phobias, social anxiety, health anxiety)
Depression & low self-esteem
Childhood abuse & trauma recovery
Relationship difficulties
I take a collaborative and humanistic approach to therapy—while I bring expertise in therapy, I believe that clients are the experts in themselves, as they are the ones who experience their own lives and create their own meaning. My approach is rooted in evidence-based treatments, emphasizing empathy (and compassion), active listening, and the therapeutic relationship as essential for meaningful change.”
I adhere to the professional and ethical standards set by the BPS, HCPC, BABCP, and BACP, and I hold full DBS clearance.
My Qualifications & Training
Doctorate in Counselling Psychology – HCPC-accredited, leading to Chartered Psychologist statusPostgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Therapy (IAPT program, NHS) – Specializing in anxiety & depression
MSc in Evolutionary Psychology – Understanding the biological and evolutionary roots of psychological issues
BSc (Hons) in Psychology
Diploma in Integrative Counselling – Completed while working in addiction rehabilitation services
EMDR Accredited Therapist
Supervision & Leadership in Therapy
I have held specialist roles in both the NHS and private sector, including leading psychological services for dual-diagnosis clients (individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders). I have supervised trainee psychologists, counsellors, and therapists, offering guidance on clinical cases, ethical considerations, and skill development.
I have also contributed to developing service pathways for complex presentations, particularly in addiction and trauma-informed care.
Research & Publications
My research interests include self-medication theory in addiction, evolutionary psychology, and behavioural analysis. My doctoral research focused on understanding the functions of behaviours that cause daily life problems, and my MSc research explored self-perceived fitness in relation to substance use and life history theory.
I have also conducted naturalistic behavioural studies on Capuchin monkeys and aggressive encounters in seabirds (1999-2001) during my undergraduate years.
Founder of PsyConnect
In addition to my clinical work, I am the co-founder of PsyConnect, a therapy referral and matching platform designed to help individuals find the right therapist while also empowering therapists to choose clients that align with their expertise. We launched in December 2024.
PsyConnect provides:
🔹 A client-matching system based on therapist specialisations and availability
🔹 A referral network for therapists to signpost clients they cannot take on, with financial incentives
🔹 A collaborative hub with resources, forums, and AI-powered tools for professional development
You can check out the page, and other therapists profiles if you like, here:
