Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes, BACP

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes trained as an integral therapeutic counsellor, adopting a flexible framework that adapts to each person she works with. She combines psychodynamic ideas, client-centered listening, cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness-based methods to tailor support according to practical needs and personal preferences. Her practice emphasizes present-moment awareness and a balanced stance - open to the client while grounded in clarity and sensitivity - and is guided by a professional code of conduct.

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, low self-esteem, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, anger, career concerns, and compassion fatigue. Her master's and doctoral research focused on stress, burnout and compassion fatigue, exploring how mindfulness and self-compassion practices can support wellbeing. That specialist research informs her work with people managing chronic pain, long-term illness, caregiver stress and other complex life challenges.

Based in the United Kingdom, Dr. Atanes brings five years of clinical experience and offers therapy in English and Portuguese. She is a registered member of the BACP (MBACP), which denotes membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She accepts clients from different cultural backgrounds and works with adults aged 18 and over, including international clients via online and remote sessions.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Dr. Ana Cristina Atanes draws on mindfulness-based therapy to help people develop present-moment awareness and self-compassion; this approach is often useful for stress, burnout, sleep problems and compassion fatigue because it encourages kinder responses to difficult thoughts and feelings. She also uses client-centered therapy, which focuses on empathetic listening and supporting the client’s own resources for change - this is helpful for building self-esteem, navigating life changes and recovering from trauma. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is another strand of her work, combining acceptance strategies with values-based action to support people struggling with anxiety, avoidance or addictive patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Atanes works collaboratively with each person to explore which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts the mix of approaches as therapy progresses. Registered professionals and therapists often combine techniques to match the client rather than applying a single method.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and there are options for live chat or text-based messaging. This range of formats makes it easier to access consistent support around work, caregiving responsibilities, time zones and mobility limits, while still working with a trained therapist who tailors care to individual circumstances.