Joana Maia Tomaszewicz

Joana Maia Tomaszewicz

Assistant Counselling Psychologist

Joana is a seasoned Counselling Psychologist, registered with the European Federation of Psychologists Association (Europsy – EPFA), the Portuguese Psychologists Association (OPP) and the Dubai Community Development Authority (CDA). She has over 11 years of experience specialising in working with children, adolescents, adults, and couples.

Education

Joana holds a degree in Clinical and Counselling Psychology from University Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias in Lisbon, Portugal. She adopts an integrative approach to therapy specific to each client, their needs and goals. “My objective is to build together with my clients a positive, trusting and non-judgemental collaboration to help them look into themselves, find awareness and their own strengths to overcome their difficulties and be able to live a rich, full and a meaningful life.”

Qualifications & Experience

Joana started her career working as an intern Clinical Psychologist at Pulido Valente Hospital (one of the largest public hospitals in Portugal) supporting in and outpatients with OCP-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After finishing her degree Joana joined a non governmental organisation (NGO) that supports institutionalised children infected and affected with HIV/Aids. She worked as a Clinical Psychologist, with a multidisciplinary team of other clinicians as Doctors, Nurses, Physiotherapists and Social Workers providing care and support to these children and their families. Joana then joined another NGO that focused on prevention and promotion of Mental Health near to disadvantaged and unprivileged people. She worked with community and other social services and implemented mental health programs to be provided to the community such as individual and group therapy to children, adolescents and adults, planned and conducted organisation skills training programs for adolescents and conducted group psychoeducational interventions to adolescents and elderly people, and provided Couples therapy.

Joana is trained in Psychodynamic therapy, CBT-cognitive behaviour therapy, Person-centred therapy, Play therapy and ACT-acceptance commitment therapy. She uses an eclectic approach combining those theories and is able to use other blended theories such as, Art therapy and Mindfulness to fit the client’s needs.

Through this experience Joana learned how to work with clients from all age groups and backgrounds. Joana is passionate about mental health challenges in children, adolescents and adults while promoting mental wellbeing, and helping her clients live a full and meaningful life.

Prior to joining BE Psychology Center, Joana worked in a private clinic, where she counselled children, adolescents and adults, experiencing a wide range of psychological issues, such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, emotional difficulties, depression, low self-esteem, behavioural issues, relationships difficulties, life transitions, poor and emotional skills, anger management, parenting skills support and Couples therapy.

With couples Joana provides a structured and encouraging environment, where the couples learn about how to deal with their challenges, how to identify their inner voice, and create space in their awareness to be able to overcome difficult moments together.

“When clients are feeling stuck and struggling to find a common ground on their own, I will remind them that life inevitably involves pain such as, frustration, disappointment, anger, sadness, anger, rejection, loss, and failure. But I will also help them to learn how they can handle and accept their emotional experiences, to let go of unhelpful thoughts and live a rich, full, and meaningful life”.

Joana assists couples to cope with poor communication, intimacy, infidelity, disrespecting boundaries, differing values, jealousy, and financial issues, among others, and will work to create a happier and healthier relationship.

Certificates

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT therapy)- Level 1 and Level 2 Certification (The Light House Arabia – DHA Accredited).
• Play Therapy Course OPP – (Portuguese Psychologists Association Certification).
• Advanced Specialization Course in Children and Adolescents Psychological Intervention – OPP – (Portuguese Psychologists Association Certification).
• Advanced Specialisation Course in ” Intervention and Assessment in Children with Specific Learning Disorders” – OPP – (Portuguese Psychologists Association certification).
• Advanced Specialisation Course in “Children and Adolescents Psychological Assessment” OPP – (Portuguese Psychologists Association certification).
• Certification in “Adolescent Vocational Assessments”.

• LinkedIn