Counsellor profile
Dr. Andreia Santo, HCPC
HCPC psychologist - Family and parenting focus
Continue with AndreiaAbout
- ACT
- CBT
- Attachment work
About Andreia
Dr Andreia Santo is a HCPC-registered psychologist practising in the United Kingdom with 16 years of experience. She trained in Portugal and has worked across child and adolescent services and community settings. Her work focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, relationships, family concerns, depression, trauma and other difficulties that affect day-to-day life.
She uses straightforward conversation and practical strategies. Sessions look at what is happening now and what a person wants to change. She draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment-Based work to help people manage feelings and make different choices.
Her background includes a psychology degree from the University of Algarve, post-graduate CBT training accredited in Europe, and a part-time diploma in Family and Systemic Theory at the Tavistock and Portman. She has worked in early intervention services and within the NHS in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for many years.
Andreia now focuses on independent research and remote practice. She has worked with children, parents and carers during placements, and with a range of adult concerns in clinical roles. Her approach blends talking through problems, practical exercises and attention to attachment and relationship patterns.
People who book a session should expect a clear first conversation about goals, some practical tools to try between meetings, and ongoing review of what works. Sessions are conducted in English and Portuguese and international clients are accepted. Before booking, confirm the current session options and scheduling details.
How sessions work
Therapeutic approaches used during remote sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and feelings without fighting them and committing to actions that reflect personal values. It can help when worry, avoidance or uncertainty are getting in the way of daily life.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours link together and offers structured ways to test and change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.
Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to relationship patterns and early bonds and how they affect current relationships and closeness. This approach can be useful for intimacy issues, caring roles and family-related difficulties.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods suited to those goals, and adjust what they do based on progress and preference. That decision is collaborative rather than imposed.
If you are considering remote sessions, check the session options before booking since specific formats are not listed in the biography. Remote work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, support shorter check-ins when time is limited, and remove the need to travel to appointments. Registered or accredited professionals often use remote sessions to maintain continuity of care and to reach international clients, but confirm scheduling and practical details with the therapist first.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English, Portuguese
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with at home?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, grief, trauma, addiction and related issues listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style?
She combines talk-based work with practical exercises using approaches such as ACT, CBT and attachment-informed methods to address thoughts, behaviours and relationship patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience working in Portugal and the United Kingdom in early intervention, community services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Which professional registration does she hold and where is she based?
She is registered with the HCPC and practises from the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her in English or Portuguese?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese. She also accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography notes remote work but does not list specific session formats. Please confirm the current session options before booking.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, as stated in her profile.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session following the platform steps described.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.