I am a psychotherapist well versed in Psychodynamic, Narrative, and Family Therapy modalities, with a great deal of experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds.
My cooperative nature extends to embracing the unique cultures of the organizations I work for. This adaptability ensures a seamless fit into any professional environment.
Besides English and Portuguese, I am also fluent in Spanish.
Outpatient Clinic:
Postdoctoral researcher, 06/2020 to 03/2021
UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil)
Research on the impact that having a missing relative has on the families. Based on the work of Minnesota Professor Pauline Boss and her conceptualization of ambiguous loss. As a result, I have helped to develop a training program for morgue and police personnel in dealing with the families of missing persons, as well as an online psychological support program for the families.
Visiting Professor, 03/2017 to 06/2019
Instituto Municipal Philippe Pinel/ Medical and Multi-professional Residency Programs (Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil)
Partnership between the ICRC and the Residency Programs. I thought and helped to create a discipline named "Violence and Mental Health"
Postdoctoral researcher, 02/2005 to 06/2008
UERJ (State University of Rio de Janeiro)
Research on the Brazilian welfare system and long-term consequences for the assisted population regarding their ability/lack thereof to gain independence from it.
taught classes at graduate level, participated in thesis counseling and defense, organized scientific events.
Senior Researcher, 05/2005 to 03/2008
CIESPI/CNPq/Mote Social
research on foster home children with cognitive and neurological impairments, physical disabilities. The vast majority of these children had been apart from their families for over a decade. Many became adults within the foster system.
I wrote the grant and the project was approved by the CNPq. Gathered and analyzed field data, published results, presented and held awareness raising seminars with government authorities and academics on changes that needed to be addressed.
Professor, 07/2004 to 11/2007
Universidade Candido Mendes
Taught Graduate courses on Forensic Psychology; History of the Brazilian Families; and Family Therapy.
Director of Research, 01/2000 to 12/2007
Mote (Psychological Services)
Conducted research on the elderly population our clinic worked with, majorly patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. held clinical seminars on varied topics, ranging from drugs, suicide prevention, to the system of care for the elderly.
"Digital Transformation: from AI and IoT to Cloud, Blockchain and Cybersecurity", Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2019:
Thinking for a Change (T4C), Training for Trainers, National Institute of Corrections (NIC), 2011:
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate.
-CUFA (United Central of Favelas) (1999-2015)
Founding member of CUFA , grass-roots organization present throughout Brazil and also present in some South American countries
hutus. CUFA's mission is to empower Afro-Brazilians through several strategies. One is to enhance the youth to be self-aware of their history, to have access to professionalizing courses (cinema, plumbing, entrepreneurship, and many others), helping them to define and to reach their goals.
audiovisual course for residents of City of God (the community the film was made after).
Partnerships with the government of several Brazilian States;
-Founder of CUFA NYC branch;
-BIA (Brazilian International Association of Autism) (2008-2011)
Volunteered as mental health coordinator for recreational programs for children with autism:
-Families of Missing Persons
I have been helping leaders of missing persons who want to become a not-for-profit for the cause of missing persons in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.