José Pereira, BACP

José Pereira is a counsellor and psychotherapist with an MSc in Counselling - a master level qualification in therapeutic practice - and several specialist qualifications in addiction counselling. He has worked in the field of addiction and related disorders since 2003, developing deep experience with compulsive behaviours, mental health challenges and substance addictions.

His career has included roles in leading residential treatment facilities where he served as Counsellor, Senior Counsellor, Head Therapist and Clinical Manager, overseeing multidisciplinary teams. Those positions supported extended one-to-one work with clients, allowing him to guide people through long-term, sustainable recovery and change. As an integrative practitioner, he draws on a wide range of therapeutic models to tailor treatment to each person, including cognitive behavioural approaches, cognitive analytic therapy, motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, psychodynamic, systemic and Gestalt techniques.

José also facilitates psychoeducational workshops and interpersonal psychotherapy groups in addition to individual sessions. He holds the BACP credential - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and offers services in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. He accepts international clients and focuses on issues such as stress, anxiety, addictions, relationships, family concerns and depression.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

José uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility - a practical way to work with difficult thoughts and emotions while committing to meaningful action. Attachment-Based Therapy is offered to explore how early relationships influence current patterns, helping clients address attachment wounds and improve relational connection. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify and shift unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, suited to work with anxiety, depression and compulsive behaviours.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. José works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences, adjusting the plan over time as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy with José is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care across distances and time zones while allowing clients and licensed professionals to focus on practical steps toward recovery and improved wellbeing.