Make Your Life a Brisa. Portuguese and Spanish Speaking Therapy
Therapy for immigrants in Portuguese and Spanish.
Make Your Life a Brisa. Portuguese and Spanish Speaking Therapy
Therapy for immigrants in Portuguese and Spanish.
Psychotherapy for Immigrants and Life Transitions
Compassionate Psychotherapy for Immigrants and Life Changes
Ana Carolina Vieira is an LCSW therapist located in North Carolina. Born and raised in Brazil, she is passionate about providing therapy for immigrants and individuals navigating life transitions. Using systems, DBT, IFS, and Psychodynamic Therapy, she offers a warm, strengths-based, and trauma-informed approach to help clients create a life worth living. Ana offers Portuguese and Spanish speaking therapy and is dedicated to empowering her clientele regardless of background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reach me at anaduvanel@gmail.com or my Psychology Today profile if you cannot find an answer to your question.
For the North Carolina residents eligible for services, the meetings will happen exclusively virtually through a secured and encrypted platform that can be accessed through your browser.
Therapy sessions are offered mostly from Monday through Friday during business hours, with some availability on weekends for the clients who are committed to sessions. Please contact us for more information.
In my experience, the first sessions can be crucial in providing relief and insight, and maybe just a few might be enough for you. However, this might be extended to a year or more if you have a variety of concerns accumulated over time or other long-term goals in therapy. My goal will always be to give you the tools you need to succeed outside of therapy as soon as possible. We will decide what frequency works best on an individual basis. In my experience, consistency beats frequency, meaning the more consistent a client is in their work inside and outside the sessions, the faster the results.
No, I am happy to provide a warm and compassionate therapeutic approach to anyone willing to commit to the therapeutic journey seeking better mental health, increased emotional maturity, connection or reconnection with their higher selves, and/or improved satisfaction in their relationships.
It's perfectly normal that a part of you feels scared about starting therapy. Most people, if not everyone, experience fear at some level of talking to a stranger about mental health in a society that does not value that. I am aware of this and have experience pacing myself according to the client in front of me. I will also ask for feedback and preferences to help manage this scared part.
As we age, it's common for emotional problems to pile up when left unaddressed and to experience changes, transitions, or adjustments we may need help working on temporarily.
Situations where therapy is a good alternative:
- If what you're experiencing is affecting your overall emotional health, work, study, or relationships
- If you have an inner sensation that you've been dragging a part inside you for too long that is not resolved
- If you feel like you've done everything and you're at your limit
- If you have challenges prioritizing your needs and taking care of yourself
- If you value self-knowledge
Here’s a sample list of topics I have discussed multiple times with clients in sessions:
1. Emotions & Feelings
2. Personal Development and Goals
3. Adjustments
4. Past Experiences
5. Relationships
6. Work & Career
7. Financial Issues
8. Parenting
9. Sexuality
10. Trauma and trauma recovery
11. Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
12. Stress & Coping
13. Race, Gender, and Social Issues
14. Health & Body
15. Decision-Making & Life Choices
16. Spirituality or religion
17. Existential Concerns and Philosophy
18. Addictions (not just substance and drug use!)
19. Loss & Grief
20. Disconnection from self
21. Repeated patterns
I want to provide a nonjudgmental and safe space for you to talk about any of the topics listed above. You should NOT feel judged. We will talk through a video platform, and I want to get to know you. I will be in your business. I will ask about what brings you to therapy, your routine, supports, goals, how you cope with adversity, and eventually about the parts - meaning thoughts, feelings, and sensations- that have been more present in your life and how they are affecting you.
I typically implement mindfulness, parts, and somatic exercises during my sessions with clients, meaning connecting with the present moment, your body, thoughts, feelings, and inner voices present.
I am also good at helping clients increase their tolerance and acknowledgement or acceptance of overwhelming feelings.
I will be happy to honor space for your cultural, religious, or spiritual practice during the sessions as well.
Those methods and the pacing of treatment will depend on your personality, coping abilities, and preferences. I can be more or less directive and confrontational during treatment. Your feedback is not only welcomed but encouraged.
What I don’t expect:
x That you tell me every dark secret you have
x That you agree to everything I say or do
x That you cry - it’s okay if you do, but it’s not something I intend to force
x That you’ll get better right after talking to me
Part of the therapeutic process and risks are increased discomfort, similar to when someone confronts you or when you think about something you haven’t thought about in a long time. These feelings are normal as we, together, choose to work through the emotional contents deemed necessary. If you believe those feelings will get overwhelming, we will make a plan to identify the supports, services, coping skills/strategies that could be helpful in increasing safety for this moment. However, typically, therapy by itself should not trigger a crisis.
To put it simply, yes. However, I do not believe in prescribing the same homework to all clients or overwhelming them with tasks they will likely feel guilty about later. The pace will depend on your interest and willingness. Depending on your case, those are the typical requests I make:
x think about a specific topic, question, trigger, or emotion (frequency, when does it show up, what are some factors influencing this)
x practice mindfulness, somatic, or parts exercises we learned in sessions
x journal about a specific topic, especially if it feels confusing or if it's surrounded by negative emotions. And don't worry, you're not obligated to show me.
x complete worksheets and journaling prompts with specific themes
x practice engaging in a self-care routine
x read a specific book or listen to a specific professional discussing a relevant theme
Contact Us
Hours
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
Brisa
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