Consultations and Areas of Intervention
Our commitment is to create a safe, competent, and humanized space where mental, relational, and sexual health care can be experienced with confidence and clarity.
In our practice, we believe that each person, couple, or family brings with them a unique story, with their own challenges and resources. Therefore, we offer different types of support—individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and clinical sexology—which can be adjusted and coordinated throughout the therapeutic process, always according to the identified needs and jointly defined objectives.
All consultations are based on a systemic approach, which values the relational, emotional, and social context of those who seek our help.
We work in a multidisciplinary and team-based manner, integrating different areas of expertise in a dynamic and collaborative approach, ensuring a coherent, ethical clinical response adapted to the complexity of each situation.
Whenever necessary, different areas of intervention can intersect in the therapeutic process. For example, individual psychotherapy may include sessions with family members or the partner; couples therapy may benefit from the integration of clinical sexology; a sexology consultation may evolve into a broader psychotherapy process.
Building the path is done side by side, with listening, flexibility, and technical rigor.
Sexual health matters too.
Sexual health is a fundamental part of a person's overall well-being, but it is often neglected in favor of other areas within medicine.
Sexual Medicine aims to incorporate a biomedical approach into the diagnosis and guidance of sexual dysfunctions, sexual difficulties at various stages of life, urogenital symptoms and signs related to sexual activity, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and contraception and family planning.
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Thus, Sexual Medicine is aimed at all people who want medical advice regarding sexual health issues or guidance regarding sexual difficulties.
It allows for a medical evaluation for the diagnosis and guidance of issues and problems related to sexual health, taking into account biological, hormonal, anatomical, and physiological factors, integrated with other psychological, social, and contextual factors.
The approach will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and the appropriate diagnostic and medical treatment measures will be applied to each situation.
Because sexual pleasure cannot take a backseat.
Sexuality is as important as other areas of well-being and deserves to be addressed comprehensively. It's not always an easy topic to discuss with a healthcare professional, and it requires a balance between sensitivity towards the individual and the open, taboo-free discussion that is necessary.
Clinical Sexology aims to provide a holistic approach to sexuality and sexual dysfunctions, integrating biological/physiological factors with psychosocial, contextual, and relational factors. It conducts a comprehensive analysis of each person, situation, and context, and seeks to offer advice or therapeutic measures tailored to each case, which may involve medical, psychological, or behavioral interventions.
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Sexual therapy is aimed at addressing sexual dysfunctions and other difficulties in experiencing sexuality (individually or as a couple) at various stages of life, using therapeutic measures at the behavioral or psychological/psychotherapeutic level.
The multidisciplinary and complementary nature of Sexual Medicine, Clinical Sexology, and Sex Therapy allows us to find the best solution for each case, offering a realistic and personalized approach for each individual.
We offer an integrated approach encompassing various aspects (medical, psychological, and behavioral), allowing you to receive the best guidance and support. Whatever question you have, we are available to find the answer together with you.
Sessions are held in person or via teleconsultation (to be evaluated according to each clinical situation), in Portuguese or English.
Individual psychotherapy is a space for listening, reflection, and personal transformation.
It is aimed at teenagers and adults who are facing moments of emotional distress, doubt, life changes, or persistent difficulties in their relationships, self-esteem, or how they position themselves in the world.
Psychotherapy is not only for times of crisis or suffering, but can also be a valuable opportunity for growth and self-knowledge. Seeking psychological support even during periods of greater stability allows one to reflect on patterns of behavior, emotions, and relationships, promoting a deeper understanding of oneself.
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This process can strengthen internal resources, improve communication, increase self-esteem, and help in making more conscious decisions. Thus, psychotherapy also functions as a space for personal development, where it is possible to explore potential, broaden perspectives, and invest in long-term well-being.
Psychotherapeutic work is guided by a systemic approach, which means that each person is understood within the context of their relationships—family, affective, professional, and social—valuing the history, patterns, meanings, and dynamics that influence their way of being and feeling.
More than treating symptoms, psychotherapy seeks to promote clarity, awareness, and change. In each session, a safe and collaborative space is created, where the goal is to understand what is happening, identify what needs attention, and gradually build new ways of being with oneself and with others.
The frequency of sessions, the objectives, and the duration of the follow-up are adjusted to each case, always taking into account the specific needs of the person seeking support.
Couple's therapy is a clinical space dedicated to understanding and caring for the marital relationship. It can be sought during times of crisis, strain, conflict, emotional distance, communication difficulties, experiences of infidelity, family transitions, or changes in intimacy and sex life.
Sometimes clients seek us out during times of crisis, but increasingly we receive couples who simply want to understand each other better or, preventively, have good conversations with a therapist in order to prepare for a new stage in their lives: living together, preparing for the challenges of parenthood, or moving to another country. Couples therapy can be seen as a preventive way to improve a couple's relationship and experience, and not just as an intervention in highly turbulent situations.
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The approach used is systemic, meaning that the couple is viewed as a unique relational system, with its own history, patterns, expectations, and ways of interacting. The intervention focuses not only on current problems but also on the dynamics that have developed over time and that influence how each individual relates to the other.
Instead of considering problems as a direct reflection of each individual's personal development, we focus on the couple's current communication processes. Therefore, our intervention pays special attention to how different communication styles are established, how these transform into recurring patterns that lead to emotional dysregulation, or how the couple finds negotiated solutions to face their dilemmas. In this sense, we do not take sides with either partner, but work collaboratively to find mutually enriching negotiated solutions. In this aspect, we distinguish ourselves from other approaches that see the couple's difficulties simply as a reflection of internal issues present in each partner.
This clinical work includes, whenever necessary, the integration of clinical sexology, recognizing that issues of intimacy, desire, body, and sexuality are part of the marital experience and deserve to be addressed in an open, careful, and well-founded manner.
The goal of therapy is not to "save" relationships, but rather to create space for thinking, talking, and making conscious decisions, promoting changes that respect the desires, limits, and needs of each member of the couple.
The frequency and duration of sessions are adjusted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the process and the therapeutic goals established jointly.
Divorce is a time of great emotional and relational impact for everyone in a family. This consultation, guided by a family therapist with systemic training, offers a structured space to support the couple—and, whenever necessary, the children—in this transition process.
Separating as a couple doesn't mean ceasing to be a parenting team. This consultation is for parents who are considering separation or have already made that decision and are seeking support to prepare their children and reorganize family life. We help structure dialogue with children, build cooperative parenting, and manage transitions in a clear, respectful, and emotionally safe way. The focus is on minimizing the impact of separation while keeping the children's well-being as a priority.
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A space for support, reflection, and tranquility during a time of change.
With a focus on the well-being of all involved, the intervention promotes respectful communication, conscious decision-making, and the reorganization of family dynamics, taking into account the needs of each member, especially the children.
The sessions are not intended to reconcile the couple, but rather to facilitate a healthier separation, reducing the effects of conflict and promoting an emotionally safe and cooperative environment. This approach can be fundamental in preventing parental alienation, enhancing co-parenting, and ensuring the continuity of emotional bonds in new family configurations.
Family therapy is a specialized, systemic intervention that aims to understand and transform relational dynamics within the family. It is based on the principle that problems are not located solely within one individual, but rather in the interactions, communication patterns, and family cycles that develop over time.
Family therapy is an intervention that allows for a particularly effective change process when attempting to address communication within the family and the impact that certain behaviors have on the family as a whole. Sometimes, parents find it difficult to understand their children's difficulties; furthermore, at certain points in the life cycle, the family goes through periods of change and transition.
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Family therapy is specifically designed as a way to improve communication between various family members and discover ways to support each other during different times. It is, therefore, a distinct but particularly effective intervention model for certain difficulties, promoting more effective communication and negotiation among family members and fostering healthier and more satisfying relationship styles for everyone.
This clinical work is designed for families facing moments of crisis, conflict, or change that affect the emotional balance and bonds between its members. Through a safe space, mediated by a qualified therapist, each family member is invited to express themselves, to listen and to be heard, promoting the construction of new ways of understanding and experiencing family relationships.
In some situations, therapy can be conducted by two therapists, which allows for the integration of different clinical perspectives and enriches the observation and intervention process, ensuring greater neutrality and support for the family.
The participation of all family members may vary depending on the stage of the therapeutic process and the defined objectives. The consultation is always conducted with impartiality, respect, and attention to the uniqueness of each family system. The goal is to restore dialogue, strengthen bonds, and promote collective well-being, supporting each family in building more functional and healthy ways of living together.
The frequency and duration of sessions are adjusted to each case, according to the family's needs and the pace of the therapeutic process.
Childhood and adolescence are fundamental phases in emotional, cognitive, and relational development. Throughout these stages, challenges may arise that affect the well-being of the child or young person, as well as family balance and/or school integration.
In the Child and Adolescent Clinic, we support children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, or relational difficulties, such as: mood disorders (anxiety, prolonged sadness, or depressive symptoms), defiant or oppositional behaviors, situations of change, etc.
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The work is carried out in an individualized manner and adapted to the developmental stage of each child or young person. We value an integrative approach, based on active listening, building trust, and collaborating with the surrounding network (school, pediatrics, etc.) whenever necessary.
We believe that, with the right support, it is possible to promote healthy emotional growth and strengthen the inner resources and autonomy of children and adolescents.
The frequency and duration of sessions are adjusted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the process and the therapeutic goals established jointly.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (or Pediatric Psychiatry) is the medical specialty that aims to prevent, diagnose, and treat children and young people whose growth and psycho-affective development has been impacted, temporarily or permanently, by factors that affect their emotions, behaviors, or ability to socialize.
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry consultations are conducted by a physician with specific training in Child Psychiatry, using an approach that combines clinical rigor with an understanding of the family, social, and emotional dynamics that influence the development of young people, in all age groups up to 18 years old.
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It is indicated for situations of emotional distress, behavioral changes, learning or socialization difficulties, sleep or eating disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, among other problems that may compromise the well-being and overall functioning of the baby, child or adolescent.
In addition to diagnosis and possible prescription of medication, this consultation may involve clinical guidance, parenting support, and therapeutic referral, in a shared process tailored to the age, history, and specific needs of each case.
The goal is to promote mental health, emotional development, and harmony in relationships, within a safe, ethical environment that respects the uniqueness of each individual.
The assessment involves carefully listening to the child or young person, but also to the parents and caregivers, recognizing the importance of the family system and context. The approach is systemic and collaborative, and can involve other professionals on the team—such as psychologists, family therapists, educators, or others—whenever necessary.
Living in a new country is a profound challenge. In Portugal in general, and Lisbon in particular, many expatriates face the delicate balance between integrating into a new culture and maintaining ties with their origins.
This consultation offers a safe space to explore issues such as cultural adjustment, loneliness, rebuilding social networks, and conflicts in multicultural couples. We support those living between cultures to find meaning, balance, and belonging. Your experience has value—and deserves to be acknowledged. The expatriate consultation is designed for people living outside their home country who face emotional, relational, or adjustment challenges associated with the migration experience.
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Cultural changes, separation from support networks, integration difficulties, loneliness, language barriers, and the impact of change on the family or marital system are some of the topics frequently addressed.
The approach is systemic and integrative, and can articulate different areas of intervention — such as individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, family therapy, or clinical sexology — according to the needs of those who seek our help.
Collaboration with other professionals on the team is always available, within a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and culturally sensitive framework.
This is a space for emotional support, but also for understanding, adaptation, and personal and relational rebuilding, taking into account the impact of migration on mental health and family dynamics.
Consultations can be conducted in Portuguese or English, and are aimed at adults, couples, or families in the context of international mobility.
Caring for mental health can involve different perspectives. Psychiatry consultations are intended for the assessment, diagnosis, and monitoring of situations of psychological distress and mental health disorders, considering each person in their individuality, life history, and relational context. It may be indicated in cases of symptoms of anxiety or depression, persistent mood swings, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, emotional crises, burnout, significant changes in usual functioning, or other manifestations that are interfering with well-being and quality of life.
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Psychiatric evaluation seeks to comprehensively understand what a person is experiencing, integrating biological, psychological, family, relational, and social factors. When clinically indicated, pharmacological intervention may be proposed, always within an individualized therapeutic plan and monitored over time.
At SPES, we understand Psychiatry as part of integrated mental health care. Therefore, whenever appropriate and with the person's consent, psychiatric follow-up can be combined with psychotherapy and other professionals on the team, allowing for different perspectives on the same clinical situation and a more coherent intervention tailored to each person's needs.
Medication can be an important resource in certain phases or situations, but it is not necessarily the central focus of the intervention. The goal is to understand and alleviate suffering, and together find the most appropriate therapeutic response for each person.
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- Anxiety, stress, and panic attacks
- Depression and persistent emotional distress
- Burnout
- Sleep disorders
- Grief and loss processes
- Existential crises and life transitions
- Difficulties with self-esteem, identity, and self-concept
- Body image disorders, including body dissatisfaction, dysmorphia, obesity, and excessive weight loss
- Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating)
- Emotional regulation issues and mood disorders
- Sexual difficulties (desire, pain, orgasm, erection, ejaculation)
- Sexual and reproductive health issues
- Hormonal changes and their impact on emotional well-being
- Communication and intimacy problems in couples
- Female sexuality
- Changes in sexual desire
- Infidelity and crises in romantic relationships
- Marital conflicts and relationship breakdowns
- Sexual counseling
- Contraception and family planning
- Sexually transmitted infections (prevention and Treatment)
- Sexual difficulties/dysfunctions
- Sexuality in different phases and circumstances of life (menopause, pregnancy and postpartum, aging and/or chronic illness)
- Sexuality in the LGBTQIA population
- Difficulties in experiencing sexuality (individually or as a couple), particularly regarding preferences, practices and relational dynamics
- Support in the divorce process
- Difficulties in experiencing parenthood
- Issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation
- Family and intergenerational conflicts
- Specialized support during divorce and family reunification processes
- Impact of physical or mental illnesses in the family context
- Situations of family, marital or sexual violence
- Adaptation to family changes (divorce, birth of siblings, etc.)
- Emotional difficulties in childhood and adolescence
- Behavioral disorders in childhood and adolescence
- School, motivational or attention/concentration difficulties
- Situations of bullying, exclusion or social isolation
- Disorders of Neurodevelopment (including autism spectrum disorders and ADHD)
- Psychological support in expatriate contexts (in Portuguese or English)
- Anxiety, stress, and panic attacks
- Depression and persistent emotional distress
- Burnout
- Sleep disturbances
- Grief and loss processes
- Existential crises and life transitions
- Difficulties with self-esteem, identity, and self-concept.
- Body image disorders, including body dissatisfaction, body dysmorphia, obesity, and excessive weight loss.
- Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating)
- Issues of emotional regulation and mood disorders
- Sexual difficulties (desire, pain, orgasm, erection, ejaculation)
- Sexual and reproductive health issues
- Hormonal changes and their impact on emotional well-being.
- Communication and intimacy problems in couples
- Female sexuality
- Changes in sexual desire
- Infidelity and crises in romantic relationships.
- Marital conflicts and relationship breakdowns
- Sexual counseling
- Contraception and family planning
- Sexually transmitted infections (prevention and treatment)
- Sexual difficulties / dysfunctions
- Sexuality in different phases and circumstances of life (menopause, pregnancy and postpartum, aging and/or chronic illness)
- Sexuality in the LGBTQIA population
- Difficulties in experiencing sexuality (individually or as a couple), particularly regarding preferences, practices, and relationship dynamics.
- Support in the divorce process
- Difficulties in experiencing parenthood
- Issues related to gender identity and sexual orientation.
- Family and intergenerational conflicts
- Specialized support during divorce and family reunification processes.
- Impact of physical or mental illnesses in the family context.
- Situations of domestic, marital, or sexual violence.
- Adapting to family changes (divorce, birth of siblings, etc.)
- Emotional difficulties in childhood and adolescence
- Behavioral disorders in childhood and adolescence
- Academic, motivational, or attention/concentration difficulties
- Situations of bullying, exclusion, or social isolation.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorders and ADHD)
- Psychological support in expatriate contexts (in Portuguese or English)
Areas of intervention
These are some of the areas in which we are most frequently sought after and in which we have specialized experience and training.
We work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, always with an approach tailored to the needs of each individual or family system.














