Brunna Mendes

Monday-Friday

Everyone will experience times in their lives when problems can feel overwhelming. Experienced traumas, difficulties with relationships, sexuality issues, fear of aloneness, pattern of behaviors are just a few examples of life struggles that can be experienced by everyone at some stage of their lives. These difficulties create conscious and unconscious barriers to our authenticity and impact our relationships. Unresolved issues are linked to the unique experiences which are part of a person's identity, development, and own story.

I offer a non-judgmental, compassionate, and confidential environment to enable you to truly explore and recognise wounds on your sense of self.

In this safe space we will be searching together for an understanding of current feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. Therapeutically being curious to find the links that those could have with past experiences and unconscious impulses. Such awareness should promote your autonomy to overcome challenges and live a more authentic life.  

*Concessionary fees available to students, people on low income, NHS workers and those who are affected by prejudice due the colour of their skin or other racial issues.

*Therapy sessions are available in English or Portuguese. 

As a qualified Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor my practice considers all types of feelings, thoughts, behaviours, relationships, and life experiences as valuable information to be explored in the therapeutic relationship, rather than something to be fixed or blamed.

Within the therapeutic relationship, such exploration promotes the recognition of ruptures to the sense of self and support your awareness. The understanding of unconscious impulses and how these links might affect your behaviour, feelings, and relationships will then become important tools to promote your emotional health. I aim to attend and respect your beliefs, desires, and autonomy.

About my training

My studies around human development and mental health promotion had begun over twenty years ago. I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapeutic Counselling which was completed with Distinction at the University of Brighton. I have also completed a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies at the University of Chichester which enabled me to gain a deep understanding neurodiversity and different strategies to support neurodiverse people and families. Such long academic life enables me to tailor my practice around each client`s individual struggles and needs with updated research based and evidence validated approaches.

I am currently on the final year of the MSc in Psychotherapy.

Experience

I have worked supporting clients with a range of issues including life transition, trauma, depression, addictive behaviours, relationships, anxiety disorders, cancer patients and menopausal issues. 

I have experience working with people with ASD and ADHD. I believe each individual is unique and respect each client's unique experience within their neurodiversity.

I also have considerable experience working with young adults, from different genders and backgrounds, within a university setting.

I have relevant experience and passion on working with racial issues. 

You can email me and we can arrange a time for an initial session. You have a choice of  a reduced fee of £30 for initial session of 30 minutes, please let me know of your interest. This initial session is an opportunity to discuss your needs and expectations regarding counselling and to ask any question you might have. It is also when we will agree on time of sessions, length of contract and fees. For this you will need a private uninterrupted confidential space where you have internet access. After this, should you wish to continue, the following sessions will last 50 minutes. Some concessions are available for NHS workers; People of Colour who are affected by prejudice due to the colour of their skin; and those on low income. Please check for availability if you’d benefit to have them in place.

The number of sessions depends on your expectations from counselling. I offer short term as well as longer term counselling, face to face or online.

Confidentiality and respect are an essential part of the counselling relationship and everything you bring to your sessions will be fully confidential (apart from issues related to safety).