Dr. Andreia Santo, HCPC
HCPC-registered clinical and counselling psychologist
- 16 years experience
- English and Portuguese
- Accepting international clients
About Dr. Andreia Santo
Dr. Andreia Santo is a versatile and compassionate clinical and counselling psychologist practitioner who brings 16 years of professional experience to her work. She is HCPC registered - the Health and Care Professions Council registration used in the United Kingdom - and trained originally in Portugal, qualifying in 2008 with a Licenciatura in Psychology of Education and Rehabilitation from the Faculty of Human and Social Sciences at Algarve University in Faro. That qualification is described in her background as academically equivalent to the British Clinical Psychology doctorate.
Early in her career she completed a full-time placement with Projecto Integrado de Intervenção Precoçe in Coimbra, contributing psychological assessments and interventions for children and their parents or carers, and engaging in projects to promote social inclusion and emotional health awareness. Additional professional placements in Portugal included work for nine months with the National Health System at the Health Centre of Faro and a thirteen-month placement with a local council service, Junta de Freguesia da Se.
After further postgraduate training in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy accredited by the Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, she relocated to the United Kingdom in 2010. In London she completed a two-year part-time postgraduate diploma in Family and Systemic Theory at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and went on to work in various Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within the NHS until June 2024.
Dr. Santo’s clinical interests span a wide range of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and family issues, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and intimacy-related concerns, ADHD and bipolar disorder. She also works with issues such as attachment and abandonment, autism and Asperger syndrome, blended family challenges, chronic illness and pain, codependency, dissociation, domestic violence, and substance addiction. Her therapeutic toolkit includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Systemic Therapy.
Dr. Santo continues to pursue independent research into the concept she describes as Unconditional Love Science and currently focuses much of her practice on remote work, seeing clients privately as well as through online services. She is passionate about psychology, science, nature, ancestral history, art, music, travel and culinary pursuits, and seeks to help people reconnect with a sense of inherent worth and the capacity for joy. This service is not intended for emergencies, and she observes regular break days - usually Sunday and Monday - during which responses may be delayed. She aims to reply to messages as soon as her schedule allows and asks for understanding if immediate replies or bespoke scheduling are not possible.
Early in her career she completed a full-time placement with Projecto Integrado de Intervenção Precoçe in Coimbra, contributing psychological assessments and interventions for children and their parents or carers, and engaging in projects to promote social inclusion and emotional health awareness. Additional professional placements in Portugal included work for nine months with the National Health System at the Health Centre of Faro and a thirteen-month placement with a local council service, Junta de Freguesia da Se.
After further postgraduate training in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy accredited by the Portuguese Association of Behavioural Therapy and the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, she relocated to the United Kingdom in 2010. In London she completed a two-year part-time postgraduate diploma in Family and Systemic Theory at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and went on to work in various Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within the NHS until June 2024.
Dr. Santo’s clinical interests span a wide range of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and family issues, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and intimacy-related concerns, ADHD and bipolar disorder. She also works with issues such as attachment and abandonment, autism and Asperger syndrome, blended family challenges, chronic illness and pain, codependency, dissociation, domestic violence, and substance addiction. Her therapeutic toolkit includes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Existential Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Systemic Therapy.
Dr. Santo continues to pursue independent research into the concept she describes as Unconditional Love Science and currently focuses much of her practice on remote work, seeing clients privately as well as through online services. She is passionate about psychology, science, nature, ancestral history, art, music, travel and culinary pursuits, and seeks to help people reconnect with a sense of inherent worth and the capacity for joy. This service is not intended for emergencies, and she observes regular break days - usually Sunday and Monday - during which responses may be delayed. She aims to reply to messages as soon as her schedule allows and asks for understanding if immediate replies or bespoke scheduling are not possible.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Existential Therapy Hypnotherapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Andreia Santo have?
Dr. Andreia Santo has 16 years of professional experience.
Is Dr. Andreia Santo a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds HCPC registration. HCPC refers to the Health and Care Professions Council, the registration body for certain health and care professionals in the United Kingdom.
In which languages does Dr. Andreia Santo provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and Portuguese.
Where is Dr. Andreia Santo located?
Dr. Andreia Santo is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Dr. Andreia Santo as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Andreia Santo through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Andreia Santo work with international clients?
Yes, Dr. Andreia Santo works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Andreia Santo cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Could Remote Therapy Be a Good Fit?
Many people wonder whether talking with a therapist remotely can make a meaningful difference. For a wide range of everyday difficulties - including stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship challenges and major life transitions - many individuals find online therapy to be a helpful, accessible form of support.One of the main advantages is flexibility. Clients can choose the way they connect that best suits their needs and routines - whether that is a video call, a phone session, live chat or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to maintain continuity of care alongside work, family and other commitments.
Licensed professionals and therapists offering remote sessions bring a variety of clinical approaches and specialties to their work, and clients are usually able to request a different therapist if they feel a different fit would be beneficial. For many people, online therapy offers a practical route to consistent, professional support that can be tailored to individual preferences and schedules.