Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Focus on identifying and modifying patterns of thought, emotion, and behavior. Structured sessions with exercises between meetings.
Indicated for: ansiedade, depressão, TOC, fobias, estresse, performance.
WHAT IT IS
A therapy session is a structured meeting between client and therapist — in-person or online — dedicated to understanding symptoms, difficulties, and goals, and to building concrete changes in how you think, feel, and act.
Unlike a conversation with friends or family, the session has method, legally protected confidentiality, and agreed objectives. Frequency, approach, and duration vary with each case.
WHO IT IS FOR
Anyone dealing with persistent emotional distress, repeating patterns, hard decisions, symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, relationship issues or trauma.
It is also valid for those who want to develop self-knowledge, improve performance, or move through transitions — you do not need to be in crisis to start.
TYPES OF THERAPY SESSION
The main approaches you will find
Choosing an approach depends on what you want to work on, your history, and your preference. All have scientific evidence; some are especially strong in specific areas.
EMDR
Reprocessing of traumatic memories using bilateral stimulation. An 8-phase protocol with strong evidence for PTSD.
Indicated for: trauma, PTSD, anxiety, complicated grief, intrusive memories.
Brainspotting
Locating points in the visual field connected to emotional memories. Deep body processing, ideal for content that words cannot reach.
Indicated for: complex trauma, burnout, somatic issues, performance, children.
Psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Work with the unconscious, dreams, relationship patterns. More exploratory, less directive. Can run 1x/week to 3x/week.
Indicated for: identity issues, repeating patterns, deeper questions.
Terapia do Esquema
Integrates CBT and psychoanalysis to work early-life emotional schemas. Modal and exercises.
Indicated for: chronic patterns, dysfunctional relationships, severe self-criticism.
Trauma and somatic therapy
Body-based work grounded in Polyvagal Theory, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and Somatic Experiencing. Focus on regulating the nervous system.
Indicated for: PTSD, dissociation, chronic pain, somatic symptoms.
STEP BY STEP
What a therapy session looks like in practice
01
Landing and check-in
We start by checking how you are arriving. What has changed since the last meeting, what is happening this week, what the emotional temperature is. This ritual is important to reopen the space.
02
Setting the focus
Together we choose what we will work on today. It can be a new theme or a continuation. The focus does not need to fit in a sentence; it can be a sensation or an image.
03
The work itself
Here the techniques of the chosen approach happen: Socratic dialogue in CBT, exploration in psychoanalysis, reprocessing in EMDR, visual focus in Brainspotting.
04
Closure and integration
We summarize what appeared, validate what stayed in motion, and plan what to do until the next session. In trauma sessions I give self-care guidance.
FIRST SESSION
What to expect from the first meeting
The first therapy session is called the initial interview. It runs longer (usually 70-90 minutes) and has three central goals: understanding what brings you to therapy, mapping the relevant history, and checking fit between you and the therapist.
You can expect questions about the reason for seeking help, current symptoms, medical and medication history, sleep and nutrition, significant relationships, important life events, and previous treatment attempts. Everything is confidential and protected by professional secrecy.
If you wish, you can bring notes. If you prefer, you can arrive unprepared — the therapist leads the questions. What matters is that this session is a space where you feel safe to begin.
ONLINE
Online therapy session
Held by video call on a secure platform, with a private and confidential session. It has the same length and depth as in-person, with the advantage of geographical accessibility.
Recent research shows outcomes comparable to in-person for anxiety, depression, and trauma, especially in CBT, EMDR, and Brainspotting.
IN-PERSON
In-person therapy session
Held in a physical office. It can include body-based techniques or eye movements that require presence. Some people prefer the neutral office space to disconnect from daily life.
The choice between online and in-person is personal; what matters is that the chosen format meets your logistical and therapeutic needs.
WELLNESS ≠ THERAPY
What is not a therapy session
It is common to confuse psychotherapy with other practices. For clarity, it is worth highlighting what does not count as a therapy session:
- Coaching, mentoring, and consulting — work on performance goals, not clinical distress.
- Family constellation, reiki, tarot, and esoteric practices — they are not psychotherapy and do not replace psychological treatment in clinical pictures.
- Friendship or confiding in family — however welcoming, it does not have method and professional secrecy.
- Generic self-help or online course — may be complementary, but does not replace individual work with a licensed professional.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
About the therapy session
How much does a therapy session cost?
Fees and payment are defined after the initial screening conversation, case by case, depending on the type of care.
How long is a therapy session?
The standard session runs 50 to 60 minutes. EMDR with reprocessing can reach 90 minutes. The first session is usually longer, around 70 to 90 minutes, because it includes the initial interview.
How often should I attend?
The most common frequency is weekly. In acute moments we can schedule two sessions per week; in maintenance, biweekly. The cadence is agreed with the client.
What is the first session like?
The first session is the initial interview. You share what is bringing you in, I ask questions to understand the history, and we outline how the work can unfold. There is no obligation to continue and confidentiality is total.
Does therapy work online?
Yes. CBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, and many other approaches work online with outcomes comparable to in-person. Sessions happen by video call in a private setting.
Can I use my insurance plan?
Yes, at accredited clinics. My practice is private; I can issue receipts for reimbursement with your insurer, within ANS rules.
Can I switch therapists if it does not fit?
Yes. The therapeutic alliance is the strongest predictor of outcome. If the fit is not there, switch — no awkwardness required.
GO DEEPER
Further reading
MÉTODO · 01
EMDR: reprocessing therapy
Structured 8-phase protocol for trauma, anxiety, and intrusive memories.
MÉTODO · 02
Brainspotting: deep processing
Visual focus for content that words cannot reach.
ARTIGO
Hypervigilance: when the body stays on
What it means to live in constant alert, why it happens, and how to regulate.
ARTIGO
Social anxiety: the fear of being seen
Symptoms, causes, and therapeutic paths.