I was born in 1981 in Quaraí, a small town on the border between Brazil and Uruguay. My arrival was rather unconventional: the doctor who was meant to deliver me was called away to an emergency, and I was welcomed into the world with the help of the women who happened to be there, including my aunt Luigia, who was studying medicine at the time.

My parents were living on the border during Brazil’s military dictatorship. My father was a journalist and, for a time, was effectively in exile. Growing up, I didn’t always understand the significance of the choices my parents had made. With age, I have come to see their courage differently, and to feel proud of where I come from.

At 18, I left Brazil and moved to Germany, where I worked as an au pair and supported adults with mental health and learning difficulties. A few years later, at 20, I moved again — this time to England. I was young and my English was still developing, but I had a strong sense of adventure and a desire to discover what life might hold beyond what I already knew.

My path here wasn’t entirely straightforward. I first studied architecture, drawn to its creativity and structure, but gradually realised that I was much more interested in inner landscapes than external ones. This led me to retrain as an Art Therapist, completing a Master’s degree and beginning my path as a therapist.

Living away from Brazil has taught me a great deal about belonging, relationships, change, and finding a sense of home within myself. My own experiences, together with my professional training, continue to shape the person I am and the therapist I have become.

I now live in the English countryside with my husband and our two daughters. They are among my greatest teachers, constantly reminding me about love, patience, presence, and the imperfect, beautiful nature of being human.

I don’t feel that I have everything figured out. I continue to learn, to grow, and to discover new ways of being. Perhaps this is one of the things that has stayed with me throughout my journey: a curiosity about life, about people, and about what it means to live well.