Psychotherapy · Cascais & online
Reconnect with yourself.You already hold the capacity to grow and heal.
I offer individual psychotherapy for adults navigating anxiety, burnout, loss, relationship problems, and life transitions — in person at my practice and online.
- In person in Cascais
- Online psychotherapy
- Therapy in English, Portuguese, and German
“Therapy is not about becoming someone else. It is often about finding your way back to yourself.”
— Karin Rechsteiner
About me
Hello, I’m Karin.
For more than ten years, I have accompanied people through difficult and uncertain times. Many of my clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected — from others or from themselves.
In our work together, I want you to feel genuinely seen. I bring warmth, curiosity, and professional experience, while trusting that you are the expert on your own life. My role is to help you understand what lies beneath the patterns that keep you stuck and support you in making changes that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Born in Brazil, I later moved to Switzerland to study and now live in Portugal. Having made my home across different countries, languages, and cultures, I bring a culturally sensitive, international perspective to my work.
- PhD in Psychology, University of Zurich
- MSc in Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Zurich
- BSc in Psychology, University of Zurich
- Postgraduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Integrative Methods
- Accredited in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health
- Registration with the Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses (OPP) in progress
My approach
Therapy that meets you where you are.
I adapt to you: your background, your goals, and what you need right now.
I work integratively, drawing primarily from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) while incorporating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, and mindfulness-based practices.
My approach looks at how thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours influence one another. Together, we make sense of recurring patterns, where they come from, and how they affect you. With a particular interest in the mind-body connection, I help you reconnect with yourself and gently let go of ways of coping that may no longer serve you.
Relationship first
Change happens in a relationship built on trust. I aim to create a safe space where you feel heard and can speak openly, without judgement. We move at a pace that feels right for you.
Integrative and evidence-based
I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based approaches, choosing what fits your needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.
Practical and reflective
Alongside exploring the challenges you are facing, we develop practical tools you can use between sessions and continue to draw on long after therapy ends.
Areas of focus
What we can work on together.
Whatever brings you here, you are welcome. These are some of the themes I work with most often. If what you’re struggling with isn’t listed here, you’re still very welcome to reach out.
Anxiety & stress
Understanding worry, panic, and overthinking while finding ways to feel calmer and more in control.
Burnout & exhaustion
Recovering energy, setting boundaries, and creating a more sustainable way of living and working.
Low mood & depression
Working through heaviness, irritability, emptiness, and loss of motivation while reconnecting with what matters to you.
Emotional regulation
Understanding intense emotions and learning healthier ways to respond to them.
Grief & loss
Making space for loss, processing what has changed, and slowly finding your footing again.
Relationships
Understanding recurring patterns, attachment dynamics, and conflict while building healthier ways of relating.
Trauma
Integrating traumatic experiences and finding ways to feel safer, more grounded, and connected.
Life transitions
Navigating change, uncertainty, and turning points with greater clarity and confidence.
Motherhood & identity
Navigating overwhelm, ambivalence, and maternal guilt while staying connected to yourself.
Self-esteem & self-worth
Understanding self-criticism, perfectionism, and people-pleasing while building a more accepting relationship with yourself.
Getting started
Taking the first step is often the hardest.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. Sometimes it is enough to know that something feels difficult and that you would like a space to understand it more clearly. I’ve kept the process simple so you can reach out without pressure.
- 1
Get in touch
Send me a short message telling me what brings you to therapy. A sentence or two is enough.
- 2
Introductory call
A free 15-minute phone call gives us a chance to briefly discuss what brings you to therapy and see whether my way of working feels like a good fit for you.
- 3
First session
Our first full session gives us more time to understand your situation, what you would like to change, and what might be most helpful.
From there, we decide together how to proceed and what rhythm of sessions feels appropriate.
Fees & hours
- Individual psychotherapy50 minutes
- €120
- Introductory conversation15 minutes
- Free
- Appointments available Monday–Friday.
- Sessions are available in person in Cascais and online.
- Invoices with NIF can be provided for insurance reimbursement where applicable.
FAQ
Questions about therapy.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Just ask — there are no silly questions.
How long does therapy usually take?
There is no fixed length.
Some people come with a specific difficulty and find shorter-term therapy helpful. Others choose to work more deeply over a longer period.
We regularly review how the work is progressing and whether therapy continues to feel useful.
Do you offer online sessions?
Yes.
I offer both in-person psychotherapy in Cascais and online sessions, allowing you to continue therapy when travelling, relocating, or simply when online work is more convenient.
Is everything I share confidential?
Yes.
Psychotherapy is confidential and I am bound by professional ethical standards regarding the information you share.
There are limited exceptions involving serious and immediate risk of harm, which I would discuss with you whenever possible.
Can I receive reimbursement from my health insurance?
This depends on your insurer and policy.
I provide invoices containing your NIF and the information required for you to submit a reimbursement request. I recommend confirming coverage directly with your insurer.
What is your cancellation policy?
Sessions may be cancelled or rescheduled without charge with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice are normally charged in full, as the appointment time has been reserved for you.
Contact
If you would like to explore working together.
You are welcome to send me a short message telling me what brings you to therapy.
We can then arrange a complimentary 15-minute introductory conversation to see whether working together feels like the right fit.
- R. J A Ferreira 1732765-263 Estoril
- therapywithkarin@gmail.com
- Monday – Friday