Zaida Fontes, NCPS

Counsellor Zaida Fontes is registered with NCPS and has nine years of experience. She works with people on issues such as addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, depression, grief, parenting strains and anger.

Zaida describes people as the experts in their own stories. She uses that view to help people notice their strengths and practical options. Sessions focus on clear, everyday steps rather than clinical jargon. She speaks English and Portuguese, and she accepts international clients.

Her approach draws on attachment-based ideas and client-centred principles. That means attention to how relationships shape feelings, and a focus on listening to the person in front of her. Zaida also uses techniques from dialectical behaviour therapy to help with emotion regulation and from emotionally-focused work to address patterns in close relationships.

In sessions she helps people talk through difficult events, painful relationships and life changes. Practical strategies may include grounding and mindfulness exercises, boundary work, and ways to manage strong emotions. She also supports people facing bereavement, separation, caregiving stress and cancer-related concerns.

People who come to her can expect straightforward language and a steady pace. She asks about current difficulties, hopes for change, and what has already helped. This information guides each next step and the focus of future sessions.

Therapeutic approaches used in online counselling