Gestalt Therapy with Luisa de Amaral

My Approach

I combine my experience as a medical doctor with
training in Gestalt psychology, sensory awareness
and expressive arts to provide Gestalt Therapy
with an eclectic approach.

Using arts-based and body-based interventions
and drawing upon metaphor, verbal statements,
body gestures and other expressive approaches,
I develop experiments tailored to the individual.
These experiments are developed to evoke
emotional responses which are addressed in the
moment. In this way, the person experiences and
explores aspects of self at his/her edge of growth
and gains awareness of personal responsibility
and choice.

About Me

I hold a Medical Degree from the Faculty of Medicine of Porto, recognized by the WHO (World Health Organization). My training and subsequent practice of medicine had a profound impact in my personal development. Bearing witness to raw human emotions in the struggle that takes place between life and death, hopelessness and courage, vulnerability and strength, dignity and fear in the face of the unknown has filled me with compassion, tenderness and respect for the human existence. In turn, my interest in the biological aspects of the human being has shifted towards the psychological, existential and spiritual realms. Having gained respect for the medical profession, I however realized that I wasn’t finding my place in it and sought a holistic, more person-centred approach to healing in Toronto.

I have since completed a four year psychotherapy training program at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto. I currently have a supervised individual, couples and group psychotherapy practice.

Over the years my understanding of our interconnectedness to each other and our environment has deepened, and with it so has my involvement in social justice and environmental issues. For this, I have been using art as a conduit for both personal exploration and to promote awareness of our impact and “response-ability” towards ourselves, each other and our environment. I have had additional training in Art Therapy, Couples Therapy and in Forum Theatre (otherwise known as Theatre of the Oppressed).

I am registered with the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP).