
Do you ever wonder why you always seem to repeat the same patterns in relationships or why anxiety seems to linger no matter what you do? As a psychodynamic therapist my job is to help you first understand why you do the things you do so that you can begin to identify how you can make the changes you want.
Most people come to me looking for help with relationships, chronic anxiety and/or depression, compulsive behaviors, or just overall stuck-ness in life or career.
I work collaboratively which means we will work together in identifying what your goals are and what it looks like to make progress towards them.
I am a psychodynamic therapist which means I’m more interested in the why than offering prescriptive, cookie cutter methods for self improvement.
In my opinion, relationships and our capacity for intimacy with others are often a large part of finding peace and solutions.
I help people navigate shame and move forward from issues that many individuals and couples face, but don’t always know how to talk about, like sexual addiction and infidelity/betrayal.
As an American living in Portugal, I see many clients who are navigating a move abroad to Europe from the United States or other countries.
Part of my work also involves working with clients who grew up in dysfunctional, narcissistic, or emotionally immature families thrive as adults.
I look forward to meeting you!
Hi! And Welcome to Therapy Porto
My name is Isolde and I live and work in Porto, Portugal and hail from many places—including Mexico, Cascais, East Hampton, and Austin. Before opening my private practice I worked as a forensic psychotherapist in New York City, where I assessed and treated criminal offenders for re-offense prevention and rehabilitation post incarceration.
I attended Columbia University in New York City where I received a Masters in Education and a Masters in Counseling. I earned my Bachelors in Psychology at Chatham University, an all-women’s college in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I met a group of women who have become lifelong sisters.
In addition to seeing individuals, I offer marriage and couples counseling as a part of my practice; I am certified in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy or EFT-C, through the International Institute for Emotion Focused Therapy. Additionally I provide conflict resolution training and psychological consulting to businesses and organizations.
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Therapy Porto
Rua Marechal Saldhana 109
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”
-Anais Nin