Ana Castro

About this Service

Hello & Welcome,

If you or your loved one are looking for support with mental health issues or feelings of increased stress and frustration, I am here to help. Seeking professional help can seem like a big step to take, as it requires you to make some changes. However, you are currently reading my website because you have made the first very brave step of seeking help beyond your circle of friends and family. Surely you want the support of a practitioner that is qualified, skilled, experienced, and accredited. But what you also need is a practitioner that you can connect, and that listens with real understanding and true empathy. Someone that supports you achieve your goals, helps you cope, heal and ultimately grow. Based on my experience these are the most potent forces for change and this is exactly what I offer to my clients.

As an accredited Integrative Counselling Psychologist, with a Master’s degree; I help many clients achieve their goals, cope better, change heal, and grow, resulting in better mental health and wellbeing. I am experienced in multiple models of therapy to tailor my therapy style according to my client’s needs, goals and what works best for them. We refer to this as an integrative approach. However, I am more drawn to offering a holistic approach and using techniques from evidence-based therapy like CBT in my sessions, which my clients find very helpful. Trust and mutual respect is central to my way of working along utmost professionalism.

At a young age I spent many of my years studying abroad in a boarding school in Switzerland and then moved to England. During my undergraduate degree, studying psychology fascinated me; I became passionate about it. I successfully achieved my BA Psychology & Management with emphasis on International Business degree with a 1st Class Honours from Regent’s University London. In the end of 2017, I completed my MSc Psychological Studies (conversion) at the University of Glasgow, which qualifies me for BPS. At the same time, I was undertaking Hypnotherapy & Counselling Skills from the Chrysalis Courses. I have demonstrated further interest in Counselling by continuing with the Counselling Skills & Theory course and concluded my studies on AIM awards level 5 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling from the Chrysalis Courses, completing a final phase of training to be a qualified counsellor.

I have significant experience working with abuse, depression and anxiety, yet I also work with a range of different issues. I faced a life crisis: I recognized that I was depressed and became an expert by experience. I decided to seek help of a general practitioner and therapist as soon as I realized I was depressed. Having studied the mind in depth, I became aware of the importance of having the support from professionals and family, which made me ask for help. However, I used alcohol, drugs, and smoking as ways to cope with the world. It was Counselling that made the difference. My therapist made me see the reality of my situation remaining non-judgemental and impartial, helping me cope and deal with my issues, and take my life in a more positive direction. Seeking professional help can seem like a big step to take, as it requires you to make some changes, which is not easy. But having professional help is the best way to find the support you need to help you change. Only with change you can improve the length and quality of your life. Also, I worked for a few charities that empower women who have suffered domestic abuse and others that helped with a range of difficult life issues and/or mental health conditions related to panic disorder.

Experience and Specialisations

• Addictions
• ADHD
• Anger Management
• Anxiety and Stress
• Career Difficulties
• Coaching
• Coping With Life Changes
• Depression
• Family Conflicts
• Grief
• Intimacy-Related Issues
• Relationship Issues
• Self-Esteem
• Sleeping Disorders
• Trauma and Abuse

Qualifications and Credentials

• Psychologist Counsellor

Years in Practice

• 3 years of experience

Accreditation/Registration Details

• NCS 5861051
• NCS NCS16-04149

Additional Language(s)

• Portuguese

International Availability

This online therapist is available to work with clients outside the United Kingdom.