Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes, BACP

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes practises as an integral therapeutic counsellor, offering a flexible approach that adapts to each person’s needs and circumstances. She draws on a range of methods - including psychodynamic work, client-centered (person-centred) approaches, cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness-based practices - to tailor sessions to what will be most helpful for the individual. Her work emphasizes present-moment awareness combined with a balanced stance of openness, clarity and sensitivity, and she follows a professional code of conduct in all aspects of practice.

Dr. Atanes supports people facing a wide variety of difficulties, such as stress and anxiety, depression, addictions, low self-esteem, panic and fear responses, chronic pain, chronic fatigue and burnout. In both her master’s and doctoral research she explored the effects of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue and examined how practices like mindfulness and self-compassion can contribute to wellbeing. She is experienced engaging with adults aged 18 and over and is committed to working with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Dr. Atanes is a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), the professional membership body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes offers several evidence-informed approaches that translate well to online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and build willingness to face difficult thoughts and feelings while taking action toward valued goals - it is useful for stress, anxiety and living with long-term difficulties. Client-centered therapy focuses on a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the person’s own goals and pace guide the work - it supports self-exploration, self-esteem and coping with life changes. Mindfulness-based approaches train present-moment awareness and self-compassion skills that can reduce reactivity and support resilience when facing burnout, chronic stress or pain.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Dr. Atanes works collaboratively to identify what fits best for each person based on their needs, goals and preferences. She adapts methods over time, combining elements when helpful to create a personalised plan.

Online therapy with Dr. Atanes is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and life situations. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals from different locations and to continue therapy even when in-person appointments are difficult to arrange.