Paula’s approach
Paula’s approach is collaborative and in-depth. She sees therapeutic models as useful maps rather than fixed instructions and adapts her work to each person’s needs and experiences. Paula’s work is informed primarily by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and modern contextual cognitive behavioural therapies.
Paula has lived and worked in South America and Australia and has lived experience of migration. She began practising psychology in Brazil in 2014 and has more than ten years’ experience across psychology, psychotherapy, counselling and education.
Therapies Paula uses
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- Contextual cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
- Compassion focused therapy
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)-informed strategies
- Attachment-based approaches
- Motivational interviewing
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
Areas of practice
- Late-diagnosed ADHD and neurodivergence
- Masking, burnout and emotional overwhelm
- Trauma and relational and intergenerational trauma
- Anxiety, OCD, depression, shame and self-criticism
- Addiction and difficult-to-shift coping patterns
- Migration, identity and cultural adjustment
- The psychological impact of chronic, complex and progressive health conditions, including FND, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs)
Who Paula works with
Paula works with adolescents from the age of 12 and adults, including people from diverse cultural backgrounds and people dealing with identity, belonging, migration and chronic health conditions.
Qualifications and registration
- Provisional Psychologist, Psychology Board of Australia. Paula practises under supervision as part of her pathway to full registration.
- Registered Counsellor, Level 4, Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
Paula’s availability
Paula sees clients on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in person and by telehealth.
Languages Paula speaks
Paula consults in English and Portuguese.
How do I book an appointment with Paula?
- Please call (07) 3831 4452 or complete our enquiry form. Our reception team will help you to book in with Paula. You do not need a referral to book.
- Private health insurance may apply. Paula accepts GP referrals. Medicare rebates are not currently available for sessions with Paula. Funding may be available through WorkCover QLD for those eligible or EAP funding may apply, again depending on eligibility.
- Attend in person. You are welcome to attend via telehealth if you prefer.
Brisbane Counselling Centre is at Level 7, 87 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, about five minutes’ walk from Central Station. We are open Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm. See the fees and rebates.
