Equipo

Delfina is the daughter of parents born in Argentina. However, her cultural background is much more complex. Her paternal grandparents are Germans living in the former Yugoslavia, while her maternal grandparents are children of Italian immigrants. When asked «Where are you from?», she recalls conversations in German between her father and grandfather, videos of traditional dances in the German community of Villa Ballester in Buenos Aires, and Sundays of mate and barbecue. At the same time, Delfina was born and has always lived in Spain, and was educated in bilingual Spanish-English schools.

Already in her final years of high school, she knew she wanted to study psychology, and she managed to do so at the prestigious Univerisdad Autónoma of Madrid. She was fascinated by human behavior, emotions, and the way we relate to ourselves and others. Training as a psychologist was a natural choice, a way to channel her empathy and willingness to support others in their processes of change and well-being…

During her undergraduate degree, she chose to take an elective course on Human Sexuality, where she studied its anatomy, physiology, and dysfunctions in depth. However, she lacked the emotional, affective, and attachment component, which would lead her to the Master’s in Sexology at Camilo José Cela University in Madrid. During her internship at the Youth Center for Sexuality Care, she discovered the tremendous need to talk openly about sex. She provided counseling on topics as diverse as contraceptive methods, unwanted pregnancies, and questions about sexual identity.

As a sexologist, Delfina believes that sexuality is a unique and unrepeatable personal universe and therefore creates a judgment-free space where each person can openly explore their needs and desires. She has a particular interest in female sexuality, where she focuses on self-knowledge and the willingness to embrace the right to pleasure as part of holistic well-being. When working with male sexuality, she focuses on alleviating culturally imposed performance demands and allowing for a more authentic experience of desire connected to enjoyment.

She became a General Health Psychologist after completing a Master’s degree at Antonio de Nebrija University. Given her multicultural background, she applied for an internship at Sinews, where she was selected after a competitive process. There, she enriched her cognitive-behavioral foundation with ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) tools. Additionally, working in the adult education department and with the university population, she gained experience with a wide variety of issues such as eating disorders, anxiety, stress, depression, and more, as well as with individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, as her tutor, Jorge Jiménez Castillo, is an expert in stress among sexual minorities.

As a true learner, her training is ongoing. In addition to having completed several courses (Gender-Based Violence and Perinatal Psychology, among others), she plans to continue her training in ED and Couples Therapy.

Delfina works from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, which she combines with elements of other currents. Her style is approachable, practical, and tailored to the needs of each individual. She relies on dialogue, simple strategies, and exercises to foster sustainable change. For her, acceptance is a key component of well-being: not as resignation, but as a starting point for moving forward.

Iciar is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in neuropsychological assessment, treatment, and research across a range of mental health conditions. Originally from Madrid, she moved with her family to Houston, Texas, as a teenager, where she completed high school. This experience gave her insight into the challenges expats face while also sparking her interest in understanding how people from diverse cultural backgrounds make sense of the world. Motivated by this, she pursued undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Navarra, graduating in 2019. She also holds a Master’s in Mental Health Research from University College London and Yale University (2021) and is currently completing a PhD at the University of Toronto, focusing on neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. At SINEWS, Iciar works with clients of all ages and backgrounds.

Returning to Spain for her undergraduate studies brought challenges, as Iciar had to re-adapt to her home country after living abroad, shaping her understanding of cultural transitions and mental well-being. At the University of Navarra, she volunteered with the Association of Navarra for People with Disabilities (ANFAS), supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. She fondly recalls that some of their talents, like musical taste and rhythm, far exceeded her own, reinforcing her commitment to strengths-based, personalized care. Iciar also secured a scholarship to study in Santiago, Chile, where she completed a clinical internship at the University of the Andes, and pursued clinical training at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra’s Department of Psychiatry. These experiences provided a solid foundation for treating diverse mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep, eating, and personality disorders.

After earning her degree, Iciar pursued a Master’s at University College London, focusing on how mental health symptoms develop from infancy through adulthood. She spent her first year training at the Anna Freud Centre, integrating cognitive-behavioral methods with psychoanalytic and neuroscientific perspectives. Understanding attachment styles from a psychoanalytic viewpoint helped her see how early experiences shape relationships. In her second year, she trained at Yale University’s Child Study Center, researching emotion regulation in youth with behavioral challenges. This blend of approaches enhanced her ability to create nuanced, personalized treatment plans.

Building on her experiences in Spain, the UK, and the US, Iciar wanted to merge two main interests: understanding the neurodivergent conditions she encountered at ANFAS and exploring how emotion regulation could support youth with conditions like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. To pursue this, she connected with Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai, a leading autism researcher, who agreed to supervise her PhD. Since Dr. Lai was based in Toronto, Iciar moved there to start her doctoral journey at the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), supported by a competitive award from La Caixa’s Postgraduate Fellowship program. Her research focuses on how emotion regulation impacts social coping skills and quality of life in neurodiverse youth.

Although passionate about research, Iciar realized during her PhD that she also wanted to apply her knowledge directly through psychotherapy. She completed a second Master’s in Psychological Intervention and returned to Madrid to continue her clinical training at SINEWS while working on her PhD. She expanded her expertise in neuropsychological assessment and treating various mental health issues. Additionally, she worked as a school counselor at King’s College El Soto, where she observed how emotional and behavioral challenges can vary between home, school, and clinical settings, reinforcing her belief in collaborating with families and educators.

During the early stages of her PhD, Iciar also worked part-time as an academic counselor, supporting adolescents and young adults with life transitions and academic skills. Familiar with the US, UK, and European university systems, she often advises students and families navigating application processes, helping them make informed decisions about their educational paths.

Daughter of a Spanish mother and a French father, she grew up in a bilingual and bicultural home. She spent her early years at Pomme d’Api and the Lycée Français, later transitioning to a Spanish school, which allowed her to experience the differences between academic systems and presented an adaptation challenge she successfully overcame. Throughout her life, summers have always had their familiar corner in Arcachon. With her father being from Paris, “compote de pomme” was always a staple at the dinner table on December 25th.

As a teenager, Alejandra had the opportunity to spend three one-month stays in different regions of the United States, including Wisconsin and Ohio. During those years, she stayed in touch with her host family from Chippewa Falls, fondly remembering Grandma Deb’s cookies with a smile. At 17, she worked on a dairy farm in Kilkenny, Callan, Ireland, while also serving coffee at a local association for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. She truly understands the challenges a teenager faces when adjusting to a new culture, as she experienced them firsthand.

From a very young age, Alejandra has been deeply fascinated by the physical and emotional changes that define adolescence. This interest led her to become a counselor at international camps, such as the YMCA in the United States and Camp Chantemerle in Montreux, Switzerland. There, she had the chance to interact with children and teenagers from diverse backgrounds—Spanish, French, Swiss, Arabic, and Norwegian—using the three languages she mastered. She also connected with their families, who came from different cultures and relationship systems. Many years later, Alejandra worked with the ANAR Foundation, providing crisis intervention and emergency support for children and adolescents facing challenges like cyberbullying, anxiety related to social media, and thoughts of death. She also offered support to parents struggling to manage difficulties with their children. Being a teenager today can be incredibly challenging, and Alejandra’s experiences have given her a deep understanding of these complexities.

Alejandra has always had a strong sense of solidarity. She led a group of teenagers in organizing activities at a nursing home and initiated a sewing project called «Amor a Saco,» which created and donated seed bags to children with kidney transplants and genetic diseases, helping them release their pain. As a kidney transplant recipient herself, she deeply understands the loss of health, the uncertainty, and the resilience that comes with such an experience. She is truly grateful to be able to offer support to others who are going through similar challenges.

In her work with couples, Alejandra focuses on enhancing communication and understanding between partners through emotion-focused therapy. Her goal is to help each individual connect with their own emotions and needs within the relationship, while also understanding those of their partner. Through this approach, she creates a safe space where both can gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of their relationship, foster meaningful change, and strengthen their bond, ultimately building a more harmonious and fulfilling relationship. As a member of a bicultural couple herself, she is deeply familiar with the challenges of integrating different ways of living and adapting to one another within this dynamic.

During her specialization in Family Therapy, she had the opportunity to train at UNINPSI and Montpellier School, where she worked closely with adolescents and their families on cases involving anxiety, depression, physical and verbal violence between parents and children, technology addiction, and substance abuse. She has a deep understanding of the suffering experienced by both parties, the struggle for autonomy alongside the need for validation and acceptance by adolescents, and the pain of parents who long for their children.

At SINEWS, Alejandra works with adults, young international students, teenagers, couples, and families. Her approach is both warm and technically grounded; she enjoys getting to know each person and their challenges on a deeper level. She helps individuals better understand, express, and experience their emotions, normalizing everything from the simplest to the most unfamiliar or fearful ones. After all, they are all a part of us.

Sie wurde in Deutschland (Bayern) geboren und wuchs dort als Kind deutscher Eltern auf. In ihrer Jugend kam sie nach Spanien, nachdem sie mit deutschen Bräuchen und Lebensweisen aufgewachsen war. Sie erlebte den Kulturschock in vollem Umfang und musste sich der Herausforderung stellen, eine neue Sprache zu erlernen, in der sie studieren musste, und sich in einem fremden Land niederzulassen – mit all den damit verbundenen Schwierigkeiten. Sie absolvierte ihr Abitur in den Naturwissenschaften und Technologien in Spanien und begann ihr Psychologiestudium an der Universität von Almería, wo sie mehrere Forschungsstipendien erhielt. Seit ihrem Eintritt in die Universitätswelt war sie von Menschen verschiedener Nationalitäten umgeben, was ihr ermöglichte, die Interkulturalität intensiver zu erleben und aus den Erfahrungen ihrer Kommilitonen zu lernen.

Das Leben als Expatriate war ein entscheidender Impuls für ihre berufliche Entwicklung, da es ihr wertvolle Werkzeuge für die klinische Arbeit an die Hand gab: die Fähigkeit, den anderen zu verstehen, sich in seine Lage zu versetzen und Offenheit gegenüber dem Andersartigen zu haben, wobei sie versteht, welchen Einfluss diese Herausforderungen auf das Leben eines Menschen haben können. Schon immer war sie fasziniert davon, menschliches Verhalten zu verstehen.

Während ihres Psychologiestudiums, das sie als herausragende Studentin absolvierte, nutzte sie die Lernmöglichkeiten maximal aus: Sie nahm drei Jahre lang am Debattierclub teil und trat auf nationaler Ebene an; sie erhielt zwei Stipendien: eines für die Analyse von Daten zum Unternehmertum in einem nationalen Projekt (GUESSS und GEM) und ein weiteres vom Bildungsministerium, das sich auf Rückfallquoten im Jugendstrafrecht konzentrierte, wobei ihre Arbeit als beste Abschlussarbeit in Ostandalusien ausgezeichnet wurde. Während ihres Praktikums im Jugendstrafvollzugszentrum «El Molino» in Almería arbeitete sie mit Jugendlichen mit schweren Verhaltensproblemen und lernte die Macht des Kontextes kennen – sowohl im Hinblick auf Routinen und das tägliche Leben als auch auf die Bedeutung des Umfelds, in dem wir geboren und aufgewachsen sind. Außerdem arbeitete sie mit der deutschen NGO Suchthilfe Deutschland zusammen, beteiligte sich an der Prävention von Substanzmissbrauch in Schulen, Gymnasien und deutschen Unternehmen, hielt Vorträge und entwarf Interventionsprogramme. Sie schloss dieses Kapitel in Almería ab, indem sie den Sonderpreis für den Studienabschluss sowie den Preis für das beste Zeugnis der Fakultät für Psychologie erhielt.

Ihr weiterführendes Studium führte sie nach Madrid, wo sie den Master in Klinischer Psychologie an der Universidad Complutense de Madrid abschloss. Die Praktika waren besonders bereichernd: Einerseits arbeitete sie bei der Fundación Jiménez Díaz in der psychoonkologischen Interkonsultation, wo sie Menschen in schwierigen Situationen betreute, wie bei der Diagnose einer Krebserkrankung und der anfänglichen Unsicherheit, bei Patienten, die die Remission erreichten und in ihr Leben zurückfinden und ihren Platz finden mussten, oder bei Patienten, die sich der Aussicht auf Unheilbarkeit stellen mussten; andererseits arbeitete sie bei Sinews MTI unter der Anleitung ihrer Mentorin Victoria Ramos Kurland, die Familien, Paare und erwachsene Patienten aus der internationalen Gemeinschaft betreut, die sich mit Problemen wie Angst, Depression, Kommunikationsschwierigkeiten und Konflikten im Zusammenleben auseinandersetzen. In diesem Umfeld konnte sie ihre Rolle als Haupttherapeutin übernehmen und war so erfolgreich, dass sie ausgewählt wurde, dem klinischen Team beizutreten.

Anschließend absolvierte sie den Master in Kontextuellen Therapien und Therapien Dritter Generation am MICPSY, wo sie durch ein intensives klinisches Training die Überzeugung verstärkte, wie wichtig es ist, wie wir mit unserer eigenen Geschichte umgehen und unsere Art, auf unser Umfeld zu reagieren, zu verstehen. Diese Ausbildung hatte einen großen Einfluss auf ihr Leben und ermöglichte ihr, ihre Perspektive auf das Verständnis menschlichen Verhaltens zu ändern.

Als Therapeutin konzentriert sich Katja darauf, ihren Klienten zu helfen, ihre Emotionen und Verhaltensweisen zu verstehen, und arbeitet gemeinsam mit ihnen daran, einen praktischen und effektiven Weg zu finden, um ihnen näherzubringen, was ihnen wichtig ist. Ihre Fähigkeit, eine neue Perspektive auf ihre Schwierigkeiten zu bieten, ermöglicht es ihren Klienten, den ersten Schritt auf dem Weg zur Veränderung zu gehen. Katja schafft einen sicheren und urteilsfreien Raum, in dem sich ihre Klienten gehört und verstanden fühlen.

She was born and raised in Germany (Bavaria) to German parents. She came to Spain during her teenage years, having grown up with German customs and lifestyle. She fully experienced the cultural shock, facing the difficulty of learning a new language in which she had to study, and of settling in a foreign country with all the challenges that entails. She completed her Baccalaureate in Science and Technology in Spain and began her studies in Psychology at the University of Almería, where she obtained several research scholarships. From the moment she entered university, she was surrounded by people from various nationalities, which allowed her to experience interculturality more fully, learning from her peers’ experiences.

Being an expatriate has played a crucial role in her professional development, as it has provided her with valuable clinical tools: the ability to understand others, put herself in their shoes, and be open to differences, and understanding the impact that such challenges can have on one’s life. She has always been fascinated by understanding human behavior.

During her Psychology degree, as the brilliant student she was, she made the most of every learning opportunity: she participated in the debate club for three years, competing at the national level; she received two scholarships: one to analyze entrepreneurship data in a national project (GUESSS and GEM), and another from the Ministry of Education focused on recidivism in the juvenile justice system, for which her work was awarded the Best Final Year Project in Eastern Andalusia. During her internship at the «El Molino» Juvenile Detention Center in Almería, she worked with adolescents with severe behavioral issues, where she learned the power of context, both in terms of routine and daily life, as well as the environment in which we are born and raised. She also collaborated with the German NGO Suchthilfe Deutschland, participating in substance abuse prevention in schools, high schools, and German companies, giving talks and designing intervention programs. She concluded this chapter in Almería by receiving the Extraordinary End-of-Degree Award, as well as the Award for the Best Academic Record in the Faculty of Psychology.

Her postgraduate studies took her to Madrid, where she completed the General Health Master’s Degree at the Complutense University of Madrid. The internships were especially enriching: on one hand, she worked at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz in the Psycho-oncology Consultation Service, where she supported people in challenging situations such as receiving a recent cancer diagnosis and the initial uncertainty, patients who had achieved remission and needed to return to life and find their place, or patients facing the horizon of incurability. On the other hand, at Sinews MTI, under the supervision of her tutor Victoria Ramos Kurland, she worked with families, couples, and adult patients from the international community facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, communication difficulties, and cohabitation issues. In this context, she began her role as a primary therapist and was so successful that she was selected to join the clinical team.

Following this, she completed the Master’s in Contextual and Third-Generation Therapies at MICPSY, where, through intensive clinical training, she reinforced her belief in the importance of how we relate to our own story and understanding our responses to our environment. This training has had a great impact on her life, allowing her to change her perspective on understanding human behavior.

As a therapist, Katja focuses on helping her clients understand their emotions and behaviors, collaboratively building a practical and effective way to bring them closer to what is important to them. Her ability to offer a new perspective on their challenges allows her clients to take the first step on their path to change. Katja creates a safe and non-judgmental space where her clients feel heard and understood.

Thanks to her father’s encouragement, she has treasured international experiences since a very young age. It all began with a summer in Ireland at the age of 13, doing a full immersion with a host family in Dublin. The following summers were filled with American adventures in Maryland, Seattle, and Orlando. The 4th of July remains etched in her memory, along with the taste of red crabs, and to this day, she is still in touch with her “American sis” from Duvall. Lidia is passionate about books, a love of reading that runs in her maternal family, and it was through literature that she found her way into forensic psychology. Those criminology books sparked her interest in human nature.

She graduated in Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid, and it was during her second year of university that the Covid-19 pandemic impacted her studies, leading her to discover her vocation for helping others by supporting them in times of greatest difficulty through volunteering with SAMUR-PC. Since then, ambulances and emergency care have become a fundamental part of her life and a great learning experience in knowing how to intervene in crisis situations. Today, she is a squad leader and coordinates volunteers in event assistance while also providing psychological services within the organization.

Upon finishing her undergraduate degree, she did her internship at a psychology clinic, where she discovered another approach—emotional systemic therapy—which enriched her foundation in cognitive-behavioral therapy. That same year, she enrolled in the Master´s in General Health Psychology at the European University of Madrid to achieve her goal of treating patients at a psychotherapeutic level. During her internship, she had a class with Gema Rubio and realized that she could train in an international environment in Madrid while recovering her command of English. During her internship, she had the opportunity to be mentored by a specialist in EMDR and decided to deepen her training in attachment and trauma. Today, Lidia treats past wounds that cause issues in the present (such as a difficult childhood, the loss of loved ones, complicated family relationships, or extraordinarily challenging events we have lived through).

At the same time, inspired by a class on the subject, she decided to expand her knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through a Master’s program and became certified to administer the ADI-R and ADOS diagnostic tests.

For a year, Lidia worked in the suicide prevention and care service of the Spanish Red Cross (024). This, along with her experience in crisis intervention, makes her an ideal professional to support individuals grieving from suicide loss and those struggling with thoughts of death or having attempted suicide in their past.

By the time she completed her internship, it was clear that we wanted to have her on board. Since joining the team, Lidia has been working as a university counselor, helping young adults with a wide range of challenges, including mood disorders, anxiety, grief, and family issues. She is also one of the professionals in the department who works with individuals on the spectrum, both during the initial stages of diagnosis, when the relief of making sense of their difficulties takes place, and later, offering support in organizing routines, adapting to changes, managing anxiety, and sensory overload.

Lidia works from an integrative perspective with a cognitive-behavioral base, but her priority is the relief of emotional distress. She creates a safe and comfortable space for her patients, where the therapeutic process they deserve can unfold. Moreover, by breaking down the language barrier and using two languages, she helps patients from all over the world access this process and feel supported in their personal growth.

Mária sa narodila na Slovensku v rodine, kde sa dovtedy nikto predtým nerozhodol opustiť svoju krajinu v hľadaní nového domova. Stala sa teda prvou, ktorá sa rozhodla presťahovať do zahraničia, poháňaná túžbou objavovať príležitosti, ktoré jej iná krajina môže poskytnúť. Motivovaná záujmom o ľudí a ich príbehy, študovala psychológiu vo svojej domovskej krajine, kde pokračovala vo svojej špecializácii magisterským titulom v odbore organizačná a vzdelávacia psychológia. Počas posledného roka postgraduálneho štúdia mala príležitosť zúčastniť sa výmenného programu Erasmus v Portugalsku na Univerzite Trás-os-Montes a Alto Douro vo Vila Real. Štúdium v zahraničí a v jazyku, ktorý nepoznala, jej pomohlo uvedomiť si dôležitosť sociálnych vzťahov – práve tie jej pomohli pri prispôsobovaní sa novému prostrediu. A práve tam sa prebudila aj jej vášeň pre terapeutickú prácu.

Počas svojho štúdia na Slovensku, inšpirovaná svojím bratom, oddaným sociálnym pracovníkom, spolupracovala na jednom z projektov UNICEF-u, „Linka detskej istoty“, kde prijímala hovory od detí a adolescentov, ktorí čelili rôznym problémom – šikanovanie, problémy nadviazať vzťahy so svojimi rovesníkmi, neporozumenie rodiny… Snažila sa im pomáhať nájsť riešenia v týchto náročných situáciách, s ktorými sa dennodenne potýkali.

V garáži-herni neziskovej organizácie Ulita pracovala s deťmi a adolescentmi žijúcimi v znevýhodnenom prostredí jedného bratislavského sídliska. Prostredníctvom hry mohla nahliadnuť do ich životov, čo len potvrdilo jej túžbu pokračovať v odbornom vzdelávaní sa pre prácu s touto populáciou. Presvedčená, že detstvo a adolescencia sú obdobia s veľkým potenciálom na zmenu a uzdravenie, si uvedomila, že hra nie je len prostriedkom na nadviazanie prvého kontaktu s dieťaťom, ale aj bezpečným priestorom, kde mu môžeme dať našu plnú pozornosť.

Neskôr pracovala ako psychologička v neziskovej organizácii Prima, kde pomáhala ľuďom s problémom závislostí a ohrozeným sociálnym vylúčením, prostredníctvom prístupu na znižovanie škôd. Tento prístup nevyžaduje abstinenciu – zameriava sa na zlepšovanie starostlivosti o seba samého po fyzickej a psychickej stránke a popri tom podporuje motiváciu prestať s užívaním drog. Táto skúsenosť na ňu hlboko zapôsobila; ukázala jej nielen ničivé účinky spoločenského znevýhodnenia, ale práve možnosť spoznávať ľudí s tak komplikovanými životnými príbehmi jej pomohla uvedomiť si, že aj s malým úsilím – aktívnym počúvaním a rešpektom – môžeme dosiahnuť úžasné zmeny. Po dokončení programu Erasmus sa presťahovala do Španielska v rámci projektu Európskej dobrovoľníckej služby a pracovala ako dobrovoľníčka v jednej terapeutickej komunite. Tam sa opäť zamerala na rehabilitáciu a pracovnú reintegráciu ľudí s problémom drogových závislostí a s tými, ktorí trpeli HIV/AIDS.

Po tomto projekte sa rozhodla zostať v Španielsku a dokončiť magisterské štúdium sociálnej psychológie na Univerzite Complutense v Madride (UCM). Stále však bola presvedčená, že jej pravým poslaním je klinická psychológia, vďaka ktorej by mohla ponúknuť viac individualizovanej starostlivosti. Jej titul zo Slovenska nebol uznávaný v Španielsku, preto musela znovu začať svoje psychologické štúdium na UCM a následne pokračovať magisterským štúdiom v odbore všeobecnej zdravotnej psychológie na Univerzite Alfonso X El Sabio. Bolo to dlhé a náročné obdobie, počas ktorého Mária preukázala jednu zo svojich najsilných stránok: dôslednosť a schopnosť nasledovať svoje ciele. Na tieto roky však spomína ako na ako obdobie výnimočného osobného a profesionálneho rastu. Skombinovala štúdium s prácami v oblastiach nesúvisiacich s psychológiou, pričom si budovala nový život v inej krajine a budovala vzťahy s ľuďmi, ktorí sa neskôr stali jej novou rodinou.

Počas magisterského štúdia v odbore všeobecnej zdravotnej psychológie bola vybraná prostredníctvom náročného výberového procesu na stáž v SINEWS, kde sme sa okamžite zamilovali do nej a jej schopnosti pomáhať našim medzinárodným pacientom s úzkosťou, depresiou, ťažkosťami v medziľudských vzťahoch v dospelosti a ďalšími problémami… Nemohli sme ju nechať odísť.

Mária sa dnes naďalej vzdeláva v oblasti integratívnej terapie so zameraním na vzťahové väzby a traumy, s dôrazom na špecializáciu v EMDR. Jej terapeutický štýl práce je predovšetkým kognitívno-behaviorálny, založený na vedeckej presnosti, ale vždy prispôsobený individuálnym potrebám každého človeka. Je presvedčená, že všetci máme vo svojom vnútri obrovský potenciál čakajúci na svoje objavenie a že práve terapia je mocným nástrojom na jeho dosiahnutie. Prostredníctvom terapeutického procesu sa medzi terapeutom a pacientom vytvára jedinečné puto schopné liečiť hlboké rany, ktoré často ovplyvňujú náš spôsob bytia, veľakrát bez toho, aby sme si toho boli vedomí. Porozumie tomu, čo formovalo náš život a náš emocionálny svet, nám môže pomôcť robiť lepšie rozhodnutia a efektívnejšie zvládať naše emócie.

Mária was born in Slovakia, in a family where no one had previously decided to leave their country in search of a new home. Thus, she became the first to move abroad, driven by a desire to explore new opportunities. Motivated by an interest in people and their stories, she studied Psychology in her home country, where she went on to specialize with a master’s in organizational and educational psychology. During the final year of her postgraduate studies, she had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus exchange in Portugal, at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro in Vila Real. Studying in a foreign country and in a language she wasn’t fully familiar with, helped her reflect on the importance of building a social support network when adapting to a new environment. It was there that her passion for therapeutic work was awakened.

During her studies in Slovakia, inspired by her brother, a dedicated social worker, she supported one of UNICEF’s projects, the “Child Safety Line”, where she answered calls from children and adolescents facing a wide range of issues, particularly survivors of bullying.

In the garage-playroom of the NGO Ulita, she worked through play with children and adolescents from an underprivileged neighborhood in Bratislava, which allowed her to gain insight into their lives and reaffirmed her desire to continue training to work with this population. Convinced that childhood and adolescence are stages with great potential for change and healing, she was able to see that play is not only a means of connection but also a safe space where they can receive full attention.

Later, she worked as a psychologist at the NGO Prima, helping people with addictions at risk of social exclusion through a harm reduction approach, where abstinence was not required. Instead, the focus was on improving self-care and fostering the desire to stop using substances. This experience had a profound impact on her, teaching her the devastating effects of marginalization, while the privilege of getting to know people with such complicated life stories allowed her to understand that with very little – simply active listening and respect – we can make a significant positive impact. After completing her Erasmus, she moved to Spain as a volunteer in a therapeutic community through the European Voluntary Service project. There, she once again focused on the rehabilitation and labor reintegration of individuals with drug dependencies and those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

After this project, she decided to stay in Spain and complete a master’s in social psychology at the Complutense University of Madrid. However, she remained convinced that her true calling was clinical psychology, where she could offer more individualized care. Her degree from Slovakia was not recognized in Spain, so she had to restart her psychology studies at UCM and then continue with a master’s in general health psychology at Alfonso X El Sabio University. It was a long journey filled with challenges, during which Mária demonstrated one of her greatest strengths: consistency and the ability to persist in her goals. She remembers these difficult years as a time of significant personal and professional growth. She balanced her studies with jobs in fields unrelated to psychology, all while building a new life in another country and forming deep bonds with people who would become her new family.

During her master’s in general health psychology, she was selected through a rigorous interview process to do her internship at SINEWS, where we immediately fell in love with her and her ability to help our international patients with anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties in adulthood, and more… We couldn’t let her go.

Today, Mária continues her training in integrative therapy, focusing on attachment and trauma, and specializing in EMDR. Her therapeutic method is primarily cognitive-behavioral, based on scientific rigor, but always tailored to the individual needs of each patient. She is convinced that we all have immense potential waiting to be discovered, and that therapy is a powerful tool to achieve this. Through the therapeutic process, a unique bond is created between therapist and patient, a bond capable of healing deep wounds that often influence our way of being without us even realizing it. our emotions more effectively. Understanding our origins and our emotional world helps us make better decisions and manage our emotions more effectively.

Chaimaa est une psychologue passionnée, originaire du Maroc. À l’âge de 17 ans, elle a pris la décision audacieuse de déménager en Espagne pour s’immerger dans la langue et la culture espagnoles tout en étudiant la psychologie. Sa fascination pour cette discipline est multidimensionnelle, lui offrant un stimulant constant pour explorer la complexité de l’esprit humain et son impact sur le comportement.

Avec une riche expérience multiculturelle, Chaimaa maîtrise plusieurs langues, dont l’arabe, le français, l’anglais et l’espagnol, ce qui lui permet d’offrir des thérapies dans différentes langues et de se connecter ainsi avec un large éventail de patients. Son parcours académique l’a menée à travers plusieurs villes d’Espagne, de Grenade et Almería jusqu’à Madrid, lui apportant non seulement des connaissances universitaires, mais aussi une profonde compréhension des diverses cultures présentes dans le pays.

Elle a obtenu son diplôme de psychologie à l’Université de Grenade, où elle a découvert sa passion pour la neuropsychologie clinique. Ses premières expériences pratiques étaient centrées sur la stimulation cognitive des nourrissons et des enfants atteints de trisomie 21, ce qui a éveillé son intérêt pour ce domaine d’étude. Par la suite, elle a complété un Master en Neuropsychologie Clinique, acquérant des compétences spécialisées dans l’évaluation et le traitement des troubles neurologiques. Engagée à approfondir le domaine de la neuropsychologie, elle a également obtenu un autre master en Sciences du Système Nerveux avec une spécialisation en rééducation neurologique. Lors de ses stages à l’Unité de Lésions Cérébrales Acquises de l’Hôpital de San Vicente à Madrid, elle a développé des compétences en rééducation neuropsychologique en prenant en charge des patients souffrant de traumatismes crâniens, de tumeurs, d’anoxies et d’infections.

Elle a aussi eu l’opportunité de faire des stages à SINEWS MTI, où elle a acquis de l’expérience en thérapie pour adultes et adolescents. Avec une expertise couvrant divers troubles, dont l’anxiété, la dépression, les phobies, le trouble du déficit de l’attention avec ou sans hyperactivité (TDAH), le stress post-traumatique (PTSD), entre autres, elle est en mesure de fournir un soutien adapté aux besoins individuels de chaque patient. Grâce à une approche intégrative et une solide formation en neuropsychologie et psychothérapie, elle accompagne ses patients dans la compréhension et la gestion de leurs difficultés pour favoriser leur bien-être mental et émotionnel.

Tout au long de son parcours académique et professionnel, elle a participé activement à des congrès et des cours en psychologie, enrichissant ainsi ses connaissances et se tenant informée des derniers progrès de la discipline.

Elle travaille avec une approche intégrative fondée sur des preuves, avec une forte influence cognitivo-comportementale, s’adaptant aux besoins de chaque individu pour identifier et renforcer leurs atouts. Avec une combinaison d’empathie, de savoir-faire et d’expérience, Chaimaa s’engage à offrir un soutien personnalisé et sans jugement à ceux qui souhaitent améliorer leur bien-être mental et émotionnel.

Sara has a solid background in the field of education, and a deep interest in language development and multilingualism. Raised in Madrid, she became familiar with two languages from an early age, as her mother is Australian and she attended the American School of Madrid (ASM) from the age of 3 to 18. In this environment, English was both the academic and social language, allowing her to master both languages.

She graduated in Psychology from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in 2011, specializing in Educational Psychology. Sara has dedicated over 12 years of her professional life to the educational sector in international contexts. Her most relevant work experience began at English for Fun, an American learning center that included an Early Childhood Education program, after school activities, and urban camps for children. During her time there, Sara served as director, counselor, and educator in all programs. Years later, she became SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) at IE University, and school counselor at different British schools. These experiences have enabled her to help her patients overcome the academic demands of international schools. Sara views difficulties (such as dyslexia, language disorders, attention or auditory processing difficulties) not only from a clinical perspective but also through an educational approach.

Throughout her career, Sara has observed firsthand the significant impact that communication, speech, and/or language difficulties can have on various areas of children’s lives, including their social and family relationships, learning, behavior, and self-esteem. This led her to pursue a degree in Speech and Language Therapy through the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya in 2021. For her undergraduate thesis, she wrote a clinical guideline to improve the diagnostic process of Developmental Language Disorder in bilingual children. Her interest and experience with multilingualism have also led her to conduct workshops on this topic, as well as giving formal advice to parents who are interested in raising their children in multiple languages.

Sara also applies her knowledge and experience in her daily life as a mother of two young children, whom she speaks to in English, while her husband uses Spanish. Currently, in addition to her clinical work, she serves as a counselor at Kings Infant School Chamartín, where she continues to support the holistic development of her students.