About Andreia
Dr. Andreia Santo offers calm, straightforward support for people facing stress, anxiety, low mood and relationship struggles. She speaks English and Portuguese and brings 16 years of clinical experience to conversations about addiction, grief, trauma and LGBT concerns.
Her approach is warm and person-focused, with practical steps to help people manage difficult feelings and day-to-day challenges. Andreia trained in Portugal and later continued professional study in the UK. She holds HCPC registration and completed postgraduate work in cognitive and behavioural approaches as well as family and systemic theory.
Background and approach
Since 2010 she has worked in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the NHS and moved away from that role in June 2024 to focus on research and independent practice. In sessions she aims to help people notice what matters to them and take small steps towards those values.
She uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to address thoughts and behaviours. Attachment-based ideas shape how she talks about relationship patterns and closeness. People can expect a collaborative way of working that combines listening with practical exercises and checking what works.
Andreia has worked with a wide range of concerns including eating and sleeping problems, parenting strains, ADHD, bipolar mood issues, and substance use. She is also developing an independent research project on unconditional love. This profile describes general practice and background.
If you need to confirm current session formats or scheduling options, please check details before booking.
What Andreia works with
Everything Andreia lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Andreia is listed here; the rest shows what else Andreia works with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Depression
- LGBT
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches Andreia lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Systemic Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
How her approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, meaningful steps towards those values while learning to live with difficult thoughts and feelings. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and patterns, and then testing alternative ways of thinking and behaving to reduce distress. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns shape current connections and helps people develop more supported ways of relating.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Andreia works together with each person to choose techniques that match their goals and day-to-day needs. She adapts exercises and conversations so they fit what the client wants to achieve rather than imposing a single method.
The biography indicates she works remotely, but it does not list specific session formats. Please confirm the available online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Many people find remote sessions help maintain continuity of care across locations, and the therapist will discuss practical arrangements and pacing during the first meeting.
Questions people ask about Andreia
What concerns does Andreia commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression and relationship and family difficulties, as well as trauma, grief and addiction-related problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is collaborative and person-focused. Sessions mix listening with practical exercises from evidence-based therapies.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of clinical experience gained working in Portugal and the United Kingdom, including roles within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is registered with HCPC and practises from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes remote working but does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
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