Catarina

Dr Catarina Faria e Maya

Licensed Educational Psychologist

I specialise in the assessment of, and support within, neurodevelopmental and learning disorders; and emotional support to children, teens and their families.

About Me

I specialise in the assessment of, and support within, neurodevelopmental and learning disorders; and emotional support to children, teens and their families. I help young people understand their unique learning styles and emotional landscape. My aim is to provide clear insights and practical strategies parents can use at home and school. This tailored approach equips families to navigate challenges, fostering confidence and well-being for everyone.

Approach

Using assessment and plain-language feedback, therapy unfolds as a practical collaboration where we set small, measurable goals. Sessions in Cascais, Lisbon or online—in English or Portuguese—move at a steady, predictable pace, combining brief skills practice, visual supports and regular family check-ins. I blend structured tasks with moments for reflection, adapting strategies between meetings so school and home routines become clearer and more manageable. This way of working tends to suit adolescents and parents who want concrete steps and steady progress.
Contact Catarina

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Services


Services Offered:

  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • Child / Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy for children and teenagers using age-appropriate methods, such as play, art, or adapted talk therapy, to address emotional and behavioural difficulties.

    Learn more about Child / Adolescent Therapy
  • Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • Ukraine Aid

    Mental health support specifically for people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including refugees, displaced families, and those experiencing war trauma.

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Children
  • Parents

Area of Expertise


Scope of Practice:

  • Adolescent Therapy

    Therapy designed for teenagers, using age-appropriate methods to address issues like anxiety, identity, peer pressure, and family conflict.

    Learn more about Adolescent Therapy
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • ADHD / Attention

    A neurodevelopmental condition involving persistent difficulty with attention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about ADHD / Attention
  • Autism (ASD)

    A neurodevelopmental condition affecting social communication, sensory processing, and behaviour patterns, with a wide range of presentations and strengths.

  • Behaviour or Conduct Issues

    Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.

  • Child Psych & Diagnostic Assessment

    Formal assessment of a child's psychological, cognitive, or emotional functioning to identify conditions and guide appropriate support.

  • Learning or Development Difficulties

    Conditions that affect a person's ability to acquire, process, or apply information, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or intellectual disability, impacting education and daily life.

  • Personal Development

    The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.

  • Parenting Support

    Guidance for the psychological challenges of raising children, including discipline, communication, co-parenting, and managing the emotional demands of parenthood.

  • Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem

Professional Title:

  • Licensed Educational Psychologist

    A psychologist licensed to assess and support learning, developmental, and educational needs.

Qualifications


ISPA - Instituto Universitário

Registrations


Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses

Psychologist

Service Area


Global Minds - Development and Health Care

In-person & Online

Cascais, Lisbon

Portugal