Lívia Pontes
I am a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with over 20 years of experience. I am also an Associated Fellow and Chartered Psychologist by the British Psychological Society (BPS) and an accredited Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapist by the British Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies (BABCP).
In my experience as a psychologist, I have worked in two of the largest public hospitals and psychiatric institutes in South America (the Institute of Psychiatry of The University of São Paulo Medical School, and the Mental Health Centre at Santa Casa de São Paulo Hospital) as well as in different services in the NHS.
I have treated people from different age groups, races, religions, genders, and sexual orientations, with a variety of difficulties, ranging from the everyday challenges we sometimes face (low self-esteem, family and relationship problems, stress, bereavement, etc.) to various psychiatric and neuropsychiatric disorders and emotional difficulties experienced after accidents and injuries. I was born and raised in Brazil, but I also lived in the United States and, currently, I reside permanently in the UK since 2010. This wealth of experiences has allowed me to develop a sensitive look at how different customs, cultures, and immigration influence behaviours, cognition, and mental health.
I have been working exclusively in my private practice for several years, supporting children (from 6 years old), teenagers, parents, and adults who are facing different challenges on their life’s journey. I am based in Milton Keynes and offer online appointments for therapy and medico-legal assessments UK-wide.
My mission is to offer the best holistic care in mental health through the use of high-quality, evidence-based approaches.
I obtained my degree in psychology (Hons) from Mackenzie Presbyterian University (São Paulo - Brazil), and went on to specialise in the areas of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Neuropsychology, acquiring Post-Graduate Diplomas both from the Institute of Psychology of the University of São Paulo and the Institute of Psychiatry of the University of São Paulo Medical School, where I received a scholarship from FUNDAP. I am also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (FAP), and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) in the UK. I am also trained in Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy by the Albert Ellis Institute in New York.
In 2011 I obtained my Master in Sciences (MSc.) degree from the University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP). I am also an author, with a book and research articles published.
I have taught at specialisation courses (postgraduate level) and worked as an assessor on undergraduate examining boards.
