My name is Ana Vedes and I am here to help you!
Registered Psychologist in Switzerland (FSP; No 114491) and expert in Psychotherapy in Portugal (OPP; No 13667).
Since 2009, professional experience as therapist, psychologist and researcher in several contexts (schools, psychiatric and pediatric hospitals, academia/university, community services) working with children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families.
In 2014, PhD in Clinical Psychology and Family Interventions (summa cum laude) with a focus on how couples deal with stress in a way that can improve their sense of “we-ness” and relationship satisfaction, and how their attitudes towards love can influence their coping behaviors and couple satisfaction.
Since 2010, advanced clinical training in the Gottman Method (level II), Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (level II), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (level III), Internal Family Systems (level III) and EMDR (Basic + Advanced).
Between 2019-2022, I was a guest lecturer in the advanced specialisation in family and couple therapy at the CRIAP Institute in Lisbon (Portugal) where I taught about "Promoting relational satisfaction and dyadic coping skills in couples".
As a person and psychologist I value an explicitly warm, caring, authentic and informal setting, as well as, an international and intercultural mindset.
I am extremely committed to my clients’ healing, hence offering only cutting edge evidenced based methods of counseling/therapy, taking regular supervision to minimize my “own blind spots”, and being connected with highly experienced and committed therapists both locally and Worldwide.
I am myself a migrant that lives in a multicultural relationship, has 2 children, speaks 3 languages everyday and faces the challenges and joys of integration since 2012. I am originally from Portugal and have lived also in Berlin. I travel often to New York City, which I consider home away from home, in addition to Lisbon and Zurich.
Ethos
I believe that each individual holds inborn capacities for healing and thriving awaiting the right emotional and relational conditions to release them.
My work is emotion-focused because change, health and wellbeing grow out of contact with and acceptance of our core emotions. These core emotions are the compass that gives meaning to our stories, ourselves and others.
My work is experiential because the most effective and efficient way to foster emotional wellbeing is to connect stories with emotions as they are felt in the body. We need to have new experiences in the here and now if enduring change is to happen.
My work is relational because change is often a difficult process AND I will be right there with you, providing support, experienced guidance, care and acceptance as you move through the process of healing and you become your own leader.
My work is brain focused because lost lasting change requires that we literally change the brain. We need to reprocessed and desensitize traumatic experiences so the natural healing capacities of our brain can be restored.
Helping individuals and couples heal, transform and experience a more connected and meaningful life is something I do with great honor, commitment and joy. Living a life with meaning and intention and having a strong and loving couple relationship, are the foundations for more healthy and resilient families, communities and countries.
To be able to use my expertise as a psychologist and personal experience, as an immigrant in a intercultural relationship and multicultural family, in my clients' journey is a privilege and the most meaningful profession I could imagine.
Specialities
Couples Counseling to:
Repair and deepen connection between partners
Improve communication and enhance intimacy
Reduce conflict
Manage stress
Heal after infidelity and other breaches of trust
Transition to parenthood
Strengthen couple Identity
Parenthood
Processe and Heal from Traumatic Experiences
Individual Counseling for:
Migration adaptation
Help expectant mothers or fathers
Navigate family of origin concerns and estrangement
Navigate life transitions
Process Relationship Issues
Trust in your Parenting
Process Grief and loss
Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout
Manage Anxiety
Improve Depression
Process and heal from traumatic experiences
Reach out to schedule a consultation and begin moving toward a more meaningful life or satisfying relationship!