Online Therapy

Dear reader,

My name is Andreia and I would like to talk to you about the parts of my system that have contributed the most to whom I am and what I do. I have a very curious and striving part, who likes to always feel challenged by learning, and this was the one who got me through my PhD in Psychology and my specialization in Psychotherapy. I also have a part who really enjoys connecting to people and playing a role on their lives and happiness, so I guess this one guided the other one in the subject of interest! These two seem to be also a reason why I have an interest in teaching and researching, as I’ve been an international researcher and University Professor.

For some years now, I began looking for different projects to take on and that moved me towards an online approach, mostly with Internal Family Systems psychotherapeutic model. I’ve been a certified IFS therapist and an approved IFS consultant for certification, as working with clients and supporting therapists’ journeys are two paths I want to continue to explore. More and more I’m tapping into my experience with IFS (Internal Family Systems, for individuals), IFIO (Intimacy from the Inside Out, for couples) and Somatic IFS to expand and take on more opportunities for connection to myself and others.

So, long story short: All of me would be honoured to witness you living more the life you want to live, so drop me a few lines (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt)!

Hi there! My name is Andreia Pacheco and I’m a Portuguese certified Specialist Psychologist and Psychotherapist, with a Doctoral Degree in Psychology and a background as an international researcher and University Professor.

My training in psychotherapy as a member of the Portuguese Society of Constructivists Psychotherapies (SPPC, www.construtivistas.pt) complied with the Training Standards for Psychologists specializing in Psychotherapy of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Association (www.efpa.eu). Namely over 150 hours of supervision, 500 hours of supervised practice, 400 hours of theory, therapeutic methodology and technique, and 100 hours of personal therapy or other personal training specified. In conformity with Psychology Guidelines, I’m also insured for civil liability.

I’m currently an effective member of the Portuguese Psychologist Association (www.ordemdospsicologos.pt), an affiliate international member of the American Psychological Association (www.apa.org) and a Registered EuroPsy Psychologist by theEuropean Federation of Psychologists’ Association (https://www.europsy.eu/psychologists/andreia-pacheco).

Continuing professional and personal development is vital for me, therefore I keep on pursuing new psychotherapeutic models training. I have completed all the three levels of Internal Family Systems’ certified training, as well as the Intimacy From the Inside Out (for couples) basic, advanced and post-advanced training, and the two levels of Somatic Internal Family Systems. I’m a certified IFS therapist and an approved IFS consultant for certification, also collaborating as a Program Assistant in Portuguese and International trainings, exploring podcasts in Portuguese (like “Conversas com Partes“), enjoying clinical supervision and ongoing personal therapeutic work.

Over the past decade I have improved my clinical expertise and have worked with hundreds of individuals and families, in a public health service and private practice, and hope to be able to do so for the rest of my life. If you find I’m the right match to work alongside with you, just let me know (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt)!

Individuals who consider online therapy tend to appreciate the fact that is convenient and sometimes less expensive, once you can use the services in your own home or work place, without spending time in commutes, or adding costs to cover those and parking. Nonetheless, you should make sure you consider also aspects as the certification of the therapist, the security of the services provided online and the payment methods (specifically if you wish to use your insurance).

In my case, I can assure you all of the procedures on my end were accounted for, and this is why I find the need to explicit list the requirements for us to be working together:

• You must be an adult;
• Be fluent in English (or Portuguese);
• Reside in the UK, Australia or other to be considered, as long as not US or Canada (to ensure compliance with legal standards – for the area of Psychology);
• Have access to a private space, computer and stable internet connection;
• Sign the informed consent and return it to me;
• Be able to use bank transfers to ensure the payment of the services (no direct insurance protocol provided).

If after reading the informed consent you find any aspect that concerns you and is not clear enough, I would really appreciate your input (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt).

Take a look… (inside and behind the scenes)

Get to know where I sit when I’m in an online session:

The following information is to be completed by the person being served, also designed as “client”. The purpose of this document is to inform you, the client, about relevant aspects of online therapy services. Please read this entire document, sign, and return it via email (Please send a readable image or pdf file to onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt).

Online Therapy/ Telepsychotherapy: Psychotherapy will be conducted using interactive audio and/ or video. If this type of services seems not to be appropriate for your needs, face-to-face psychotherapy services will be suggested. Email contacts are allowed regarding the schedule of sessions or changes in contact information, not as a form of online therapy. Before each session you will be provided by email a link for a safe online therapy environment to use (complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), provided you have a private place to be with your computer with camera and/ or audio.

Confidentiality: The information disclosed during the course of psychotherapy is confidential, however there are legal exceptions both mandatory, and permissible, related to risk or harm to self or others, or if court ordered. The therapist will take all precautions to ensure online therapy is confidential, but client is informed that transmission could possibly be interrupted or accessed by unauthorized persons. Although the internet provides the appearance of anonymity and privacy in counseling, there are some risks. To minimize them, the therapist will use the “Zoom” app to best comply with HIPAA in order to protect you, and sessions will not be recorded. The client is responsible for securing his or her own computer hardware, internet access points, and password security. The client recognizes that any contact made via email might not be as safe, and therefore acknowledge this is a reason why email will not be considered a privileged form of interaction nor a service for online therapy in this case.

Appointments and Charges for Services: Payment will be made via PayPal at least 24h before the session. If the client do not show up for your session after payment, there are no refunds, as the therapist will be available to you for the whole duration of the session (1h). Cancellations or reschedules can be made with a minimum of 24h notice, at no cost for you. If by any reason the therapist might need to reschedule the session, the same rules will apply, meaning that with a 24h notice the client will be given an alternative schedule of his or her choice, and if the therapist notice does not occur at least 24h before the session, the rescheduled session will not be paid by the client.

Limitations: Any contact made via email will be answered by the therapist, as soon as possible, but it might take more than 24h to do so. From time to time, sessions might be disturbed or distorted by technical failures and this is accounted for. In the event of a personal crisis, such as thoughts of harming yourself or others, you or the therapist should contact:

Emergency contact (name/ contact): ______________

Emergency number in area of residence: ___________

Procedures should we encounter technical difficulties or disruptions in service: It is understood that when communicating by internet or other electronic means, disruptions in service or other technical difficulties might likely occur from time to time. If it is the case, the therapist will provide via email a new link for the session. If the problem is not rapidly resolved due to the therapist responsibility, the therapist will reschedule a new session for the duration of the time of the session lost, at no cost for the client. It is also agreed between the two parts, that both will be responsible to provide an adequate internet connection, to prevent such incidents for happening.

By signing this form:

1. I state that I am an adult who resides in ____________ (full address).
2. I agree to participate in online psychotherapy with a certified Psychotherapist in Portugal.

I have read, understood and comply with the agreed upon policies.

Signature of Client _________________Date ____/____/____

NIF/TIN/TFN ___________ (for receipt purposes, sent by email to the client)

|  |   By checking the box I agree that the signature I have entered above will be the electronic representation of my signature and initials for all purposes when I use them on documents, including legally binding contracts – just the same as a pen-and-paper signature.

Click here to download the pdf version.

NOTE: Internal Family Systems related interventions (IFS and IFIO, for individuals and couples) have a specific informed consent. I appreciate you kindly be in touch in case that is your interest (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt).

While experiencing the Internal Family Systems model, one might find helpful to have the opportunity to work with one’s parts, through consultation.

These services are being offered online, wherever you are, so that therapists’ parts and others might find the time and space they need, not only for personal development, but also for professional growth.

If you have the intention of completing your IFS certification, this can also be an option that serves this purpose, as I am an approved IFS consultant.

If this sounds like what you might want, individually or in a small group, just let me know and we can arrange for a plan that meets your needs (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt).

 

NEW IFS Group Consultation  – Coming Soon

IFS Group Consultation (8h)

This IFS Group Consultation offers 8h of group consultation alongside with IFS therapist|practitioner peers and an IFS certified therapist and approved IFS consultant for certification. The intention of this group not only to support those on their IFS certification journey (that may need 8h of IFS group consultation), as well as to offer a brave space for deepening individual learning and experience of the IFS perspective, through group sharing and clarification of growing edges, connected to a collective Self presence.

It consists of four 2h online live sessions in Zoom, one per month, over a four-month period. Registration is for the full four-month period and this will be a closed group with no sessions recorded, so you are kindly invited to take a close look at the dates and times, as no refunds for missed sessions will be made.

The group will meet on Fridays from 9am-11am (WEST) on May 3^rd, June 14^th, July 12^th and August 9^th – you can check your time zone with more clarity here: https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/. 

Each session will consist of a 15m welcoming meditation and check-in, 95m dedicated to therapist|practitioner’s practice with learning and unblending moments as well as processing time, Q&A and/or case consultation, followed by a 10m closing circle moment. The group will take place with a minimum of three and a maximum of six IFS therapists|practitioners peers, and dedicated time will be shared equitably. There will be a predefined rotation for the dates, set before the beginning of the group, according to individual and group preferences – each day can be designated to each therapist|practitioner or in a given day time can be shared so that it is equally allocated.

The cost for this experience is of 400€, paid by bank transfer. Registrations will be accepted until March 1^st 2024, and by March 8th participants will be contacted and receive confirmation alongside with the necessary details (bank and Zoom details, as well as the informed consent form). Although the time limit for registrations is by March 1^st, registrations will be complete at a maximum of six participants. A waiting list will be offered for those who would like to join for next time or if a cancelation occurs.

 

Kindly be in touch for further questions or details, as other groups (for IFS and IFIO) may be starting later on (onlinetherapy@emafaro.pt).