My professional path has been shaped by working closely with people facing instability, displacement, and major life transitions. I bring this experience into my work supporting newcomers and refugee claimants navigating settlement and adjustment in Canada.

I am originally from Brazil, where I trained as a psychotherapist with a focus on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Early in my career, I worked with non-profit organizations in Rio de Janeiro, including in high-vulnerability and conflict-affected areas. My work focused on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use, and social exclusion, often in environments marked by poverty, violence, and limited access to services.

During this time, I also began a post-graduate program at PUC-RJ in Drug Addiction, which deepened my understanding of substance use, harm reduction, and the social factors that shape mental health and wellbeing. This experience grounded my practice in a strong awareness of how structural conditions, trauma, and systemic barriers affect individuals and communities.

I later moved to Canada to continue my professional development and completed studies in Social Work with a focus on Immigrants and Refugees. Since 2018, I have worked with multiple non-profit organizations across Ontario, supporting refugees and immigrants through their settlement journey. My roles have included working as a Settlement Counsellor, providing direct support related to housing, income support, healthcare access, education, documentation, referrals, and community integration.

Through this work, I have seen how settlement challenges often extend beyond paperwork and appointments. Many people are navigating prolonged uncertainty, family separation, language barriers, cultural adjustment, and significant emotional stress. My approach recognizes the close connection between practical needs and emotional wellbeing.

Today, my work focuses on non-clinical, supportive counselling and settlement support. I help individuals make sense of complex systems, manage adjustment-related stress, clarify priorities, and develop practical strategies to move forward. My services do not include psychotherapy, diagnosis, or treatment of mental illness. Instead, I offer structured, supportive sessions grounded in social service practice, psychoeducation, and practical problem-solving.

My background in psychology informs how I listen and understand human behaviour, while my settlement experience ensures my work remains practical, ethical, and responsive to real-life needs. I aim to provide a supportive space where people feel heard, respected, and better equipped to navigate their next steps.

I offer services in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, and I work with individuals and families from diverse cultural and migration backgrounds. My goal is to support newcomers and refugee claimants with clarity, care, and respect during periods of transition and adjustment.