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From a relational perspective, conflict arises from encounters with others, since people think, feel and behave differently in everyday situations. Each person carries their own life story, values and beliefs, worldview and sociocultural context, making coexistence challenging in any context – personal and professional. Since conflict is inherent to the Human Being, it cannot be hushed up or swept “under the rug”, because when it is silenced, violence is much more likely to manifest itself!
The therapeutic space, whether through therapy, mediation, parenting support or any other type of approach, which is a constant part of my services, is a safe, respectful and trustworthy place where interested parties can dialogue, in a genuinely curious way, to understand the different perspectives and factors of the conflict, which lead them to seek my intervention.
Dialogue is the space that respects and includes differences, through joint reflections. As a professional trained to work in these areas, I encourage and stimulate participants to gain autonomy, to take responsibility for their behavior and decisions, and to create ideas and possibilities for understanding that will guide the present and future of their lives.
The quality of the dialogue will depend on the level of awareness of the clients regarding the conflict and the relationship pattern they have established, and on the responsibility of each person for a legitimate understanding. The dialogue will be more reparative, restorative, and capable of creating sustainable bonds the higher the level of awareness, attention, and presence of the participants.
I add value to my work because I am trauma-informed. I believe it is vital for society to be aware of what trauma is and how it impacts the mind, body, and behavior of people with themselves and in their relationships. In addition, it is essential for people to be aware of how our bodies, autonomously, manifest themselves under toxic stress. In early childhood, it is essential that caregivers, guardians, educators and health professionals understand that, in addition to sociocultural concepts about violence, there are invisible forms of violence that are often ‘normalized’. Examples of such violence include name-calling, insults, humiliation, lack of care and protection, and abandonment due to divorce.
When we expand awareness of the impact of traumatic experiences, from the time we are in the womb, we can create safer, more protected, welcoming, loving, understanding environments and support each other in a healthy and balanced way, ensuring that those events do not become part of our biologies (bodies). Knowledge about trauma transforms our social action and our service to society, creating healthier, more resilient, compassionate, collaborative, and less violent adults!
As a parental supporter, I play a vital role in assisting parents in raising their children by providing knowledge, emotional support, and practical guidance so that caregivers can give attention and visibility to their children’s needs.
I offer resources and support to tackle specific parenting challenges, such as: up-to-date information on child and adolescent development; support for parenting concerns; reflections on strategies to handle daily challenges like managing stress, setting clear boundaries, promoting children’s autonomy, and strengthening the connection and secure attachment with them. Additionally, I invite parental couples to reflect on their own histories, values, beliefs, and parenting patterns that may be causing disconnection with their children.
Finally, I also facilitate support groups for parents, providing a safe space for them to share their challenges, concerns, and resources with one another, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
In the contemporary world, emotional and sexual abuse of children and adolescents and pedophilia are extremely serious problems that are growing alarmingly every day, affecting millions of children and young people. Raising awareness in society, through preventive education at home and in schools, and the implementation of strict public policies, are essential to combat these atrocities.
In this consulting service I offer to parents, I address the importance of emotional and sexual education, from childhood to adolescence. We will talk about how they can promote a protected environment that is, at the same time, open and enlightening, so that children learn to recognize, name and manage their emotions. In addition, it is important for minors to learn to respect their own bodies and those of others, and to set limits, so that only caring and trusted adults can touch them. We will explore strategies for talking about sexuality in a way that is appropriate for each age group, demystifying taboos and strengthening children’s self-esteem and self-care.
In this consultancy, the objective is also to focus on improving communication skills between parents and children, with an emphasis on listening to verbal and non-verbal communication. This connection will provide a healthy relationship, in which children can feel protected and safe to express their essence and their vulnerability.
With the increase in violence in the world, we have noticed how conflict has been silenced. Most people prefer not to recognize, name, and deal with interpersonal problems. They let their dissatisfaction and personal needs accumulate. We already know the ending of this film: the judge will decide the issues that were not resolved by the interested people.
Mediation is a paradigm shift in this way of thinking, in which the conflict should be left in the hands of third parties. It is a space for organized conversation, managed by a qualified professional, the mediator, who will encourage dialogue between the conflicting parties, as the most appropriate way to deal with differences in perspectives, worldviews, values, and beliefs.
We know that mediation is not a magic solution that will quickly bring the conflicting parties to an understanding. No! It is a process with a beginning, middle, and end. As a mediator, I invite the clients to work in a way that demands commitment, dedication, care and responsibility, in addition to the genuine desire to preserve all relationships that are at stake. This task is challenging, due to the emotions of the mediation participants. With my facilitation and intervention, during the mediation process, the clients themselves recover their ability to deal with the problems in their lives among themselves, in a collaborative, respectful and appreciative way, with a focus on the future.
From a relational point of view, conflict is interpersonal, that is, generated between people who think, feel and behave in different ways. In addition, the difficulty in communicating and managing emotions can distance people from each other, often creating an insurmountable chasm. As a couples therapist, I offer a safe, secure, affectionate and trustworthy space, focused on strengthening the emotional connection between partners, through improving communication (deep listening) and developing problem-solving skills. Often, at least one of the partners reproduces the relationship pattern of their parents, both as a couple and as parents, and this can affect their relationship. Therapy is useful for partners to get to know each other better, to focus on the values and principles of the relationship, which will be the guide and basis for dialogue and important decision-making, in situations of disagreement.
Couples therapy can be very useful for couples who are facing significant transitions or stressful situations, such as marriage, birth of children, divorce, unemployment, illness (depression, anxiety etc.). My role is to facilitate conversations between partners and support them in co-building a healthy relationship, with each person’s needs met.
“I don’t know if life is short or long for us, but I know that nothing we experience has meaning if we don’t touch people’s hearts.
Often it is enough to be: a lap that welcomes, an arm that embraces, a word that comforts, a silence that respects, a joy that infects, a tear that flows, a look that caresses, a desire that satisfies, a love that promotes.
And this is not something from another world, it is what gives meaning to life. It is what makes it neither too short nor too long, but intense, true, and pure while it lasts.
Blessed are those who transfer what they know and learn what they teach.”Cora Coralina
Collaborative Practices in Law are a humanized approach to conflicts, in any context, that seeks to resolve challenging issues for its clients in a collaborative and without litigation. This method is carried out by an interdisciplinary team, trained to use it, who work together with those involved to reach an agreement that is beneficial to all, avoiding the emotional and financial stress of a legal process.
The interdisciplinary team is made up of lawyers, mental health professionals and financial professionals, who work with their expertise in a cohesive and integrated manner, under the view that these clients function as a system, where one affects the other and vice versa. Collaborative lawyers are the facilitators of negotiation of the various issues brought by clients and the drafters of the agreements. Collaborative financial professional guide and prepare the economic, financial and asset planning of the participants.
The collaborative mental health professional, one of my specialties, is the facilitator of dialogue, welcoming the intense emotions of those involved, which serve as a stimulus for their behavior. My most important functions, as a collaborative professional, are to create a secure bond with clients and offer emotional support, helping to manage stress and anxiety throughout the dialogue process.
With the increase in violence in the world, we realize how conflict has been silenced. Most people prefer not to recognize, name and deal with interpersonal problems. They let dissatisfaction and personal needs accumulate. We already know the end of this movie: the judge will decide the issues that were not resolved by the interested people.
Family mediation is the paradigm shift in this way of thinking, in which the conflict should be left in the hands of third parties. As a mediator, I offer a space for organized conversation, to foster dialogue between family members, which is the most appropriate way to deal with differences in perspectives, worldviews, values and beliefs, that are contributing to their disagreements.
We know very well that family mediation is not a magic solution that, in a short time, the conflicting parties will reach an understanding. No! It is a process, with a beginning, middle and end. I invite family members to work on a task that demands commitment, dedication, care and responsibility from everyone, in addition to a genuine desire to preserve all relationships that are at stake. This task is challenging, due to the emotions of the mediation participants. With my facilitation and intervention, during the mediation process, the clients themselves recover their ability to deal with the problems in their lives among themselves, in a collaborative, respectful and appreciative way, with a focus on the future.
Family therapy is a therapeutic process that involves the participation of at least two family members, to improve their coexistence, where, for example, communication and behavior patterns that may be creating misunderstandings and abysses between them are identified and named, so that, during the meetings, they can take care of them. I will facilitate the dialogue between the participants, so that the relationship is healthy, since they strive to consider their own needs and those of others. When parents and children or siblings, for example, ask for my services, I understand that my most important role is to provide a welcoming, caring, confidential, safe and secure environment, where everyone has a voice and a chance to express their feelings, concerns and needs.
During the meetings, I will encourage family members to reflect on how each person identifies, names and intends to deal with conflicts, in a conscious way. With this, clients can gain clarity about the patterns of interaction between them, without feeling attacked or threatened, and connection, support and mutual trust begin to flow! In this context of collaboration and deep listening between everyone, they lead the development of strategies and practical scenarios that promote the gradual change in each person’s behavior, creating a healthier, more welcoming and balanced environment and relationships.
Collaborative Practices in Law are a humanized approach to conflicts, in any context, that seeks to resolve challenging issues for its clients in a collaborative and and without litigation. This method is carried out by an interdisciplinary team, trained to use it, who work together with those involved to reach an agreement that benefits everyone, avoiding the emotional and financial stress of a legal process.
The interdisciplinary team is made up of lawyers, mental health professionals and financial professionals, who work with their expertise in a cohesive and integrated manner, under the view that these clients function as a system, where one affects the other and vice versa. Collaborative lawyers are the facilitators of negotiation of the various issues brought by clients and the drafters of the agreements. Collaborative financial professionals guide and prepare the economic, financial and asset planning of the participants.
The collaborative mental health professional, which is one of my specialties, is the facilitator of dialogue, welcoming the intense emotions of those involved, which serve as a catalyst for their behavior. My most important functions are to create a secure bond with clients and offer emotional support, helping to manage stress and anxiety throughout the dialogue process. Although I do not work with children, in this context, if the focus of the mental health professional’s work is child and adolescent care, he or she can also serve them, to ensure that their needs are visible and also considered and met.
From an organization’s perspective, employees are intangible assets! Without people, it does not exist. Unfortunately, this statement has little impact on the market, as employees’ needs are still barely visible, leading to an accumulation of dissatisfaction and, as a consequence, demotivation, low productivity and illness. In this scenario, conflicts and violence are inadequately managed, leading to a threatening and stressful work environment.
When employees’ ideas and perspectives are heard and welcomed, a safe, trustworthy environment is established, so that creativity and innovation can flourish. On the contrary, when the environment is hostile and threatening, employees are constantly on alert, as, at any moment, a dangerous situation may arise that they will have to deal with: fighting, fleeing or freezing.
As a mediator, I will act as a facilitator of dialogue between people who are experiencing conflicts, so that they understand what is happening and how they can do things differently from now on, to resolve future problems, contributing to a healthy and productive work environment.
The most common problems I have to deal with are disagreements between colleagues, disputes between management and/or departments and/or partner companies and/or suppliers, resistance to changes in organizational culture, issues related to diversity and inclusion etc.
In a corporate environment, it is common for employees to face challenging health conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia, depression, migraines, stomach pains, fibromyalgia and others, due to the pressures and demands of work. As a mental health professional, I have been hired by some companies to offer corporate therapy, with discussion groups and thematic groups. Group learning is extremely powerful and has a therapeutic effect on all employees who attend it, contributing to a process of self-care and self-knowledge that brings them well-being.
When managers or directors notice signs of emotional distress in some employees, they can refer them to therapeutic work early on, aiming to welcome them and provide support to develop strategies to deal with emotional triggers and improve their well-being, before symptoms worsen.
This initiative by the company demonstrates its commitment to the mental health of its employees, creating a safe and welcoming space and environment so that they can express their concerns and feelings and take charge of self-care. As a result, the organizational climate becomes healthier, increasing motivation and productivity, and reducing absenteeism and turnover. By investing in the emotional well-being of employees, organizations fulfill their social responsibility and strengthen their own culture!
As a mental health professional, I am also hired by companies to give lectures and workshops on topics essential to the well-being of employees and a healthy work environment. These services cover topics such as stress management, conflict management, effective communication, human development, leadership, among others. What sets a lecture apart from a workshop is the depth with which the work is offered, depending on the time and specific needs of each company.
I also offer more extensive training courses, which can cover a variety of customized topics, according to the demands of the organization. These courses are designed to improve leadership development and management, communication between employees, conflict management, the development of self-care, self-awareness and self-accountability, as well as to improve team dynamics and promote a healthy and productive work environment.
My goal is to provide knowledge and offer practical resources that contribute to the emotional well-being of employees and the efficiency of teams, strengthening the organizational culture and promoting the success of the company.
As a mediator, my work in schools focuses on creating and implementing mediation projects that transform the school environment into a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for collective learning. I believe that the school should be an extension of the home, where children from different family backgrounds can learn and live together harmoniously, with all their differences.
My work involves training management, administrators, teaching staff and other employees in conflict mediation and, after regular practice of this learning, implementing the same training course for students, so that they can be mediated by their peers. In addition, it is essential to involve families in this learning, so that their members can collaborate in strengthening harmonious coexistence among children.
School mediation is a new educational paradigm! It is a powerful approach to raising awareness of the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, collaboration, peaceful environment and the development of social and emotional skills among all who attend school. As a result, there has been a clear improvement in the school climate, minimizing the escalation of conflicts between teaching staff and management, between teaching staff, between teaching staff and students, between the school and parents, etc. As a result, there has been a decrease in emotional and physical violence, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and able to contribute collaboratively and appreciatively to the school community, as well as preparing students to gain autonomy and face challenges throughout their lives!
As a mediator, I offer lectures and workshops in schools to raise awareness in the entire educational community about the implementation of mediation projects. My goal is to make the school environment a safe, trustworthy and inclusive space for collective learning and coexistence, where all students can develop in a climate of mutual respect, consideration and collaboration. Through these activities, the school community puts into practice a peaceful approach to conflicts, as well as acquiring emotional and sexual education, so that sensitive topics such as pedophilia, emotional and physical abuse are addressed according to the child’s age. It is crucial to inform students about their rights and about protecting their own bodies and knowing who to trust to tell about possible violence they may be experiencing at home or elsewhere. Education about personal integrity is fundamental!
I believe that prevention begins with the knowledge, awareness and empowerment of students, teachers, principals, managers and school staff. By empowering the school community with effective information and strategies, we can create an environment where the well-being and safety of everyone are absolute priorities. Together, we can build a school where every child feels protected, valued, belongs and able to reach their full potential.
Some topics of lectures, workshops and courses in schools:
• Mediation Culture for Educators;
• Mediation Culture for Parents;
• Implementation of Mediation Projects;
• Implementation of Sexual and Emotional Education and Sexual Abuse Prevention Projects;
• Training for Facilitating Dialogue in the school community.
Over 20 years ago, when I finished my Mediation course and went into practice, I really missed having someone more experienced to address my doubts, concerns, worries, insecurities and challenges when dealing with clients. But that wasn’t all. I was also uncertain about the type of mediation school to choose or even the area of focus I would persue.
Having experienced this lack of guidance firsthand, I became a mentor to many mediators throughout my journey, providing a safe, welcoming, and nurturing space that fosters reflection and purpose for the demand I was approached with.
Mentorship is an essential resource for the internal preparation of the mediator. It is very important for mediators to clearly understand their role. The work should not consume the mediator or become a source of anxiety, insecurity, or paralysis. This happens due to a lack of preparation, not a lack of techniques.
My role is to provide guidance to the mediator client based on their own history, values, beliefs, and knowledge through a process, method, and side-by-side support. This may include fostering the development of specific skills, guiding decision-making, offering insights about their career or area of focus, sharing resources, and collaborating in the formulation of goals and plans to achieve them.
Furthermore, my role is also to raise awareness among the mentee that knowing only the theory is not enough to mediate with quality. It is also essential for the mediator to have internal preparation, self-knowledge for self-regulation and compliance with self-care protocols, since he/she is part of the mediation setting. This means that he/she can affect the clients and can also be affected by them, needing to take care of his/her triggers, to avoid greater suffering in the clients and escalation of the conflict.
I often challenge the clients to step outside of their familiar and often uncomfortable space, encouraging them to challenge themselves both personally and professionally. In addition, I provide an appreciative and encouraging perspective to help them overcome obstacles and improve their skills, which will contribute to their development throughout their career.
The mediator’s activity is solitary. It is very common for them to end a mediation session full of doubts and concerns about their performance. Intervision (contemporary term for supervision) is a safe, trustworthy and affectionate space where mediators can talk about their discomforts and challenges without being judged by their peers, as well as exchange knowledge based on the educational material I provide. Therefore, Intervision is a powerful community of mediators who, in a collaborative partnership, share knowledge, feelings and good practices in mediation! This community has the common purpose of co-creating, internalizing and improving these good practices, through self-knowledge, self-awareness, self-care, self-accountability and collective learning, fostering creativity and innovation, in order to obtain effective and efficient results.
As a facilitator of the group of mediators, creating a horizontal, caring and safe space, the members can launch reflections, questions about what to do, so that each one can get in touch with their deepest Self, identify and name the sensations in the body, and the feelings. As a result, the initial discomforts are transformed into opportunities for growth, development, collective learning and self-realization.
Intervision is another essential resource for the internal preparation of the mediator. Dealing with the pain of clients requires this preparation, as it can already be affected by it and impact your work, further escalating the demand brought by clients.
I develop and conduct courses at Universities, Mediation Institutions, Schools and Companies, and can be in-company. Some topics of the courses that are offered:
• Communication and Conflict and Crisis Management;
• Conflict Management in Family Businesses;
• Productive Conversation – Attack the Problems, not the People;
• Methods of Approaching Conflicts;
• Introduction to Mediation Culture;
• Training and Qualification for Conciliators and Mediators;
• Family Mediation and its particularities;
• Business Mediation and its contexts;
• Theory in Practice with real cases (Intervision).
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