Looking for an English-speaking therapist?

You might speak more than one language every day, feel comfortable communicating at work and manage most aspects of your life without difficulty. But when it comes to talking about your emotions, relationships or personal struggles, you may find yourself wishing you could express yourself in English.

Perhaps certain feelings are difficult to put into words in another language. Maybe you want to talk about your family, childhood experiences or something deeply personal without having to translate your thoughts as you speak.

If this sounds familiar, having therapy in English might be worth considering.

Why choose therapy in English?

Language is more than a way of communicating information. It is closely connected to our memories, identity, relationships and emotional experiences.

For many people, being able to speak in their preferred language during therapy can make it easier to find the right words, express subtle emotions and communicate experiences that might otherwise feel difficult to explain.

Research into multilingual psychotherapy suggests that the language we use can influence how we experience and express emotions. Some people feel more emotionally connected when speaking their first language, while others find that using a second language creates a little distance from difficult experiences.

There is no single right way: what matters is finding the language that works best for you.

Working with an English-speaking psychologist can also mean that you don't need to spend time translating expressions, explaining cultural references or searching for words. You can focus on what really matters: understanding yourself and working through the difficulties you're experiencing.

When language and culture are part of your experience

Living between different languages and cultures can bring many enriching experiences, but it can also involve challenges that aren't always visible to others.

You might sometimes feel caught between different expectations, struggle with a sense of belonging, experience loneliness or find it difficult to maintain relationships across geographical distances. Perhaps you're navigating a significant life transition, or simply finding that things feel more complicated than you expected.

Sometimes, even when life seems to be going well on the outside, you may feel overwhelmed, disconnected or unsure about the direction you're taking.

You don't need to be going through a crisis or have a specific problem to benefit from therapy. Having a space where you can talk openly, in the language that feels most natural to you, can be valuable in itself.

Online therapy in English and Portuguese

I'm Dr Ana Costa, a Clinical Psychologist offering online psychological therapy for adults and adolescents in English and Portuguese.

My approach is warm, collaborative and evidence-based. I draw on different therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), tailoring our work to your needs, experiences and goals.

Whether you're experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem or a challenging life transition, therapy can offer an opportunity to make sense of what you're going through and build a more meaningful life.

You don't necessarily have to choose between English and Portuguese. We can explore which language feels most comfortable for you, and you are welcome to use both throughout our work together.

If you're looking for an English-speaking therapist and would like to explore whether we might work well together, I offer a free 15-minute online consultation.

You can find out more or book a consultation at dranacosta.com.

Online therapy in English and Portuguese | Adults and adolescents