Joelma Dos Santos , BACP

Joelma Dos Santos is a counsellor with three years of professional experience working in the United Kingdom. She holds BACP accreditation and speaks both English and Portuguese. Joelma aims to make first steps into therapy feel manageable and respectful for each person she meets.

She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety and addiction to talk through what feels overwhelming. She also supports those recovering from trauma and abuse, and people facing low mood or the challenges after childbirth. Sessions are tailored to each person's situation rather than following a one-size-fits-all plan.

Joelma draws on existential, mindfulness and psychodynamic ideas in her work. That means she will look at what matters to you now, bring attention to patterns of thought and feeling, and use reflective conversation to uncover recurring themes from your past. Expect calm, focused moments for noticing how you think and feel, alongside deeper conversations about life choices and meaning.

Her style is compassionate and direct. She aims to create a space where people can speak honestly about guilt, shame, relationship wounds, identity and life transitions. Practical suggestions are offered alongside longer conversations about personal history when that feels useful.

Sessions are available in English and Portuguese and can be held online. Joelma will work with you to set goals and plan the steps you want to take, adjusting the approach as those goals change.

Approaches that suit online therapy and life questions

Existential therapy invites you to look at life choices, meaning and values. It helps when someone feels stuck, unsure about purpose, or is facing big life transitions. Mindfulness therapy uses simple attention practices and moment-to-moment noticing to reduce reactivity and calm anxiety. It is useful for stress, panic and overwhelming emotions. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on recurring patterns that come from past relationships and experiences, helping people understand why they react in certain ways and how that shapes current relationships.

Choosing the right approach is usually a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss your goals, what has helped or not helped before, and together you will try methods that fit your needs. Over time the plan can be adjusted based on what feels useful and what brings change.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let you have a conversation that closely resembles in-person sessions. Phone sessions can be lower bandwidth and easier to fit into a work break. Live chat or text-based messaging can work well for short check-ins, written reflection, or when you prefer not to be on camera. These options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around daily life and other commitments.