Ana Pereira

Lead Psychologist

I have studied psychology for over 10 years, and during those years I acquired qualifications in Health Psychology, Children's Development and Behaviour, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A), Play Therapy and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). Not as relevant but very interesting in terms of behaviour and the human mind, I am also qualified in Forensic Psychology. I have also developed a sweet interest in holistic therapies and have since gained professional qualifications in Mindfulness, Transpersonal meditation, EFT (emotional freedom technique), Reiki, and Human Design.

As a child psychologist, I worked many years within NHS teams, and there, I had the privilege to work with many children and families from all walks of life. I also had the opportunity to work with wonderful people who shared the same passion and had the same goal at heart: to bring healing to others. With them, I learned to be humble, to be curious, and to never stop working on developing my skills because every person will present me with their uniqueness and challenge me in different ways.

I have also learned that behaviour is usually an expression of the problem, not the problem itself. Therefore, we, as humans, are far more complex than what psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry, or any other science on its own can explain.

As a psychologist with a huge passion for healing, I am always looking for answers, and with this in mind, I have started to look into different paths. It was holism, combined with psychology, that helped me gain a new perspective and led me to develop a more complete approach - an approach that focuses on every aspect of a person’s health and one that looks at the entire person rather than just one aspect of the problem.

Anxend is a project full of soul and passion that was born out of the need and the desire to help young people who struggle with anxiety, and whose main goal is to guide, empower, and ultimately, make a difference in the lives of these young people and their families. Having the opportunity to work on this project and continue to fulfil my dream every single day is a blessing. I am extremely grateful and feel very privileged to be part of such an amazing team and extraordinary project.

I am a true believer that it takes a village to raise a child, and it will be my privilege to be part of that village and to walk this journey with you.

Hi, my name is Ana, and I am the Lead Psychologist at Anxend.  

My role at Anxend:

I am responsible for creating and developing the programmes we deliver here at Anxend, and ensuring that our programmes are clinically and scientifically based. Alongside the lead Mental Health Practitioners, I teach, guide, and support our team through our programmes and oversee all the clinical aspects of our programmes.

Qualifications:

  • PhD in Health Psychology, University of Surrey  

  • MSc in Health Psychology, University of Surrey 

  • BSc (Hons) in Psychology, Kingston University  

  • BSc Psychology and Child Development, University of Hull 

  • Diploma in Forensic Psychology, University of Hull 

  • Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A), ACHAMS 

  • Self-harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Training Qualifications UK (CPD accredited) 

  • Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (CPD Accredited)  

  • CBT for Depression, Anxiety and Phobias (CPD Accredited) 

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Foundation Course – University of Surrey  

  • Play Therapy Foundation Course – ISPA Portugal 

  • Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (CPD Accredited)  

  • CBT for Depression, Anxiety and Phobias (CPD Accredited) 

  • Mindful Nutrition Diploma Course (CPD accredited) 

  • Mindfulness Based CBT Diploma (CPD accredited) 

  • Psychology of Eating, Institute for the Psychology of Eating, UK  

  • Transpersonal Meditation, Accredited Training, Surrey, UK 

  • EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), Accredited Training, Surrey, UK  

  • Usui Reiki Level I, II, III and Master Course, Accredited Training, Surrey, UK 

Programmes:

  • Family Programme

  • Parent Programme

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