Ana Erra

Ana is a BPS Chartered Clinical Psychologist and HCPC Arts Therapist, specialised in drama and movement therapy, with ten years of clinical experience both in London and Portugal. She has worked in various organisational settings including the NHS, schools, private and charity sectors as well as with the Portuguese Police force.

Ana has experience working with children, adults and older adults from diverse cultural backgrounds and in delivering both individual and group sessions, combining talking and creative arts therapies as needed. She offers a safe and non-judgemental space where clients can also explore creative ways of expression and communication.

In addition to her private work, Ana currently works in a multi-ethnic counselling service supporting adults and older adults with mental health issues as well as refugees and asylum seekers. She also works with one of the UK’s leading child bereavement charities delivering therapy to children and was part of the team that offered support to the Grenfell community.

Ana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She trained with ISPA, University Institute considered one of the top universities of the field in Portugal and which is strongly rooted in the Psychoanalytic approach. She also studied Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia Clínica (Portugal) and completed a MA in Drama and Movement Therapy (Sesame) with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London. The Sesame approach is informed by Analytical Psychology combined with contemporary theories in intersubjectivity and developmental psychology and that draws together Laban movement, Play theory, Storytelling and Image-based practice. Ana also trained in Authentic Movement, a contemplative movement practice influenced by Jungian Psychology and Mindfulness Meditation, and continues her studies and practice in this discipline.

In her sessions, Ana offers the option to explore issues through talking and/or using a more imaginative, symbolic approach using creative media. She considers the client’s way of relating to others as central to understanding themselves. Ana works together with her clients to bring into awareness unconscious patterns, fostering insight, with a view to changing them and for the client to move toward psychological balance and harmony. Ana believes that the relationship between the therapist and client is the core of the therapeutic work and in which they co-create a sense of meaning and where transformation can take place.

The arts have always been strongly present throughout Ana’s life and her experience fostered in her the realisation of the arts as a source of exploration, expression, healing, and transformation. Ana further recognises that the mind and body are intertwined and her practice and studies in Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness for over 15 years across Europe and India also supports her work.

Issues/Problems of Specialisation
Ana offers both brief and long-term therapy and throughout her years of practise she has worked with a variety of issues and difficulties, including

With children

Bereavement
Trauma
Behavioural and emotional difficulties
Anxiety
Autism Spectrum Disorder (high functioning)
With adults

Depression
Post-natal depression
Grief and Loss
Trauma
Anxiety
Burnout
Stress
Somatization
Adjustment to adverse circumstances or life-events
Life transitions
Work-related issues
Relationship issues
Self-esteem & self-confidence
Sessions with Ana are 50 minutes long, she is comfortable having the sessions in both English and Portuguese.

Memberships and accreditations

Chartered Psychologist accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS)
Arts Therapist HCPC registered
Full member of The British Association of Dramatherapists (BADth)
Clinical and Health Psychologist EuroPsy registered
Member of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Psicologia Clinica (Society of psychodynamic psychotherapists, Portugal).
Ana currently offers online sessions and face to face in Angel, Islington.