Anxiety
Depression
functional analytical psychotherapy
Narrative psychotherapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
caregiver care
Guide to a Meaningful Life
The Kintsugi Way

Well-being isn't the absence of problems; it's the ability to live in spite of them.

Anxiety

Carlos, a 42-year-old, was in therapy with a diagnosis of social anxiety and depressive symptoms. His life was very limited: he had minimized his social interactions due to an intense fear of being judged, which prevented him from enjoying friendships or romantic relationships. His main strategy was avoidance: he didn't go to meetings, turned down invitations, and isolated himself.

ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Treatment:

• Acceptance: Instead of trying "not to feel afraid," he was taught to recognize the sensation of anxiety in his body (the knot in his stomach, the tension in his shoulders) and to allow himself to feel it without fighting against it. Metaphors were used, such as "the anxious monster" that he could let sit next to him instead of trying to kick it out of the room.

• Cognitive Defusion: He learned to "unhook" himself from his thoughts. Instead of believing the thought, "I'm going to make a fool of myself," he reformulated it as, "I'm having the thought that I'm going to make a fool of myself." This stripped the thought of its power and turned it into just words.

• Values Clarification: He was asked what was truly important to him if anxiety weren't an issue. He identified values such as "connection," "friendship," and "personal growth."

• Committed Action: Based on his values, he began to take small steps. He committed to calling an old friend (despite the anxiety), then to getting coffee with a coworker, and finally to joining a hiking club. The goal was not "to not have anxiety," but rather "to connect with others" while feeling anxious.

• Successful Outcome: After several sessions, the patient reported a significant decrease in his avoidance behaviors. Although the anxiety didn't completely disappear, it no longer dictated his decisions. He managed to rebuild his social circle and started a romantic relationship, describing a life that was much more "rich and meaningful."

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Depression

Sofía, a 22-year-old, suffered from depression with episodes of intense sadness and hopelessness that alternated with outbursts of anger toward her loved ones. She felt that her emotions were completely controlling her, leading to destructive arguments and a deep feeling of guilt and self-hatred afterward, which further fueled her depression.

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) Treatment:

• Mindfulness: Sofía learned to observe her emotions without judgment.

• Distress Tolerance: For moments of crisis, she learned skills to survive emotional pain without making the situation worse. She used "self-soothing" techniques.

• Emotional Regulation: She worked on identifying and naming her emotions, understanding their function, and how to reduce her vulnerability to them (by taking care of her sleep, nutrition, and exercise). She learned the skill of "opposite action," which involved acting contrary to what the depressive emotion was urging her to do (for example, going out to see a friend when she felt like isolating herself).

• Interpersonal Effectiveness: She practiced how to express her needs and feelings assertively, which radically improved her relationships and reduced the conflicts that previously plunged her into guilt.

• Successful Outcome: Sofía described DBT as "receiving an instruction manual for my emotions." The intensity and frequency of her crises significantly decreased. Although she still felt sad at times, it no longer overwhelmed her or caused her to damage her relationships. She reported increased self-esteem and, for the first time, felt that she had control of her life.

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Functional analytical psychotherapy

There are moments in life when pain or anxiety paralyzes us. You isolate yourself, avoid situations you once enjoyed, and feel like your life is on pause, dominated by suffering. What if we told you that the way out isn't to fight your emotions, but to learn to relate to them in a new and courageous way? That was the story of Ana María, a woman who lost her joy for life after a traumatic loss. She felt stuck, disconnected from everyone, and trapped in a cycle of avoidance and sadness.

The Transformation: From Avoidance to a Life with Purpose. Through Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), a third-wave therapy, she found much more than a space to talk; she found a place to practice how to live again.

The magic of this therapy lies in the therapeutic relationship. Instead of just analyzing the past, as a therapist, I focus on what is happening in the "here and now" of the session.

• Brave Small Steps: Each time Ana María dared to express a difficult emotion or show vulnerability, the session became an emotional gym where she could strengthen her "bravery muscle" in a safe environment.

• Reconnection with Her Values: With the help of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques, Ana María was reminded of what was most important to her: friendship, growth, and affection. These values became her compass, guiding her to make decisions that moved her closer to the life she wanted to live, even in the presence of pain.

Little by little, the bravery she practiced in therapy began to be reflected in her daily life. She reconnected with her friends. She dared to visit places she loved. She learned to carry her sadness as part of her story, but without letting it define her future. Ana María's story isn't an isolated case; it's a real example of the power of third-wave therapies. It's not about erasing pain, but about building a life so rich and meaningful that suffering no longer takes up all the space. If you identify with this, if you're tired of fighting and ready to live in a more full and authentic way, this could be your path.

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Narrative psychotherapy

Often, a problem like anxiety, depression, or self-criticism feels as if it's a part of us—a voice in our head that dictates the rules and robs us of our lives.

That was Liam's reality. He felt "defective" and lived under the "Tyranny of Anxiety," a tyrant that sabotaged his career and relationships. He felt trapped in a story where he was the victim. The twist that changed everything: You are not your problem.

With Narrative Therapy, Liam discovered the most liberating idea of all: he wasn't his anxiety. The problem was the problem. By seeing it as an external "tyrant," he was able to strip it of the power it held over him.

Instead of fighting against himself, he began to discover his true story, one that had been silenced by the tyrant's noise. Through therapy, he learned to:

• Identifying his strengths: He discovered moments of courage and connection that anxiety had tried to erase.

• Reconnecting with his values: He realized his identity wasn't that of "an anxious person," but rather that of "a courageous creative and a loyal collaborator."

• Becoming the author: He stopped living the story that anxiety was writing for him and began to write his own, making decisions based on his values, not his fears.

Liam didn't eliminate anxiety, but he relegated it to a secondary role. The protagonist of his life was now himself. You have the power to hold the pen. Your life is a story, and sometimes, a problem hijacks the narrative. Narrative Therapy gives you the tools to reclaim your role as the author.

If you're ready to stop being a character in the story of your problem and start writing your own chapter of strength and purpose, this is the path.

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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

From Crippling Anxiety to Freedom - The Challenge of Carlos:

Carlos was a 45-year-old programmer whose life had been paralyzed by Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. The fear of having a panic attack led him to avoid public places, shutting himself in his home and losing his freedom. His life, once full and social, had been reduced to a constant battle against fear.

Our work together:

Through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Carlos learned to understand and manage his anxiety.

• We identified and challenged his negative thoughts, such as, "If I go out, I'll have an attack and make a fool of myself."

• We gradually exposed him to the situations he was avoiding, starting with going to the corner and returning until his anxiety decreased. We gave his mind a new perspective, learning that panic symptoms are a manageable physical response, not a sign of imminent danger.

The result: Today, Carlos has reclaimed his life. He has returned to enjoying outings with his wife, going shopping, and using public transportation. Although fear may still appear, it no longer stops him. CBT gave him the tools to live a life without the limitations that once defined him

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Caregiver care

Supporting You in the Challenge: The Journey with Cancer.

The news of a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, not only for the person living with cancer, but also for their loved ones. This journey is a physical and emotional challenge that requires comprehensive support. Therefore, our Support and Mentoring program focuses on humanizing every step of this journey.

A comprehensive approach for the entire family.

Our program, grounded in third-generation therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassionate Psychology, offers a safe space to explore difficult emotions, find purpose, and strengthen family bonds.

• For the person facing illness: We provide tools to accept the emotions of fear, anger, and sadness without being defined by them. We help you reconnect with your values ​​and find a sense of control and purpose, even in the most difficult circumstances.

• For family members and caregivers: We offer support to manage anxiety, helplessness, and exhaustion. We teach you how to be a pillar of emotional support and how to communicate effectively, strengthening the family unit.

• For children: We create a safe space where young people can express their fears and concerns. We help them understand the situation in an age-appropriate way, minimizing the emotional impact.

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Guide to a Meaningful Life

Sometimes, life presents you with challenges that seem to break you into a thousand pieces. Emotional and physical pain, anxiety that won't let go, and hopelessness can make you feel like you've lost your way. But what if we told you that your scars aren't a sign of weakness, but a map to a strength you never knew you had?

"Corazón de Oro" (Heart of Gold) is a guide designed for people who have gone through emotional or physical suffering and wish to rebuild a life with purpose. We are based on the principles of third-wave therapies to help you begin a journey of deep and authentic healing

¿What does it mean to have a "Heart of Gold?

A "Heart of Gold" isn't about not having scars, but about recognizing that every experience, every pain, and every wound has made you stronger. It's an invitation to:

• Stopping the fight against your emotions: Instead of seeing anxiety or fear as enemies, we learn to understand them, observe them, and let them pass without paralyzing you.

• Connecting with what matters to you: Often, in the daily hustle, we lose our way. We will help you identify your deepest values (your "inner gold") and live in accordance with them.

• Acting with purpose: We will give you the tools to take concrete steps that bring you closer to a meaningful life, no matter how small, and to face challenges with resilience

How does the Heart of Gold guide work?

This guide is a journey you can embark on at your own pace. Through practical exercises, meditations, and reflections, we will help you to:

1. Explore your inner landscape: You will understand your thoughts and emotions without judging them. This is the first step to stop being a prisoner of your own mind.

2. Discover your personal "compass: You will identify your core values, those that give meaning to your life. This way, every decision you make will bring you closer to who you truly want to be.

3. Commit to action: We will give you strategies to overcome inertia and avoidance, and to begin living in a way that honors your values, building the life you want, one step at a time.

   It's not about fixing yourself, it's about rebuilding yourself and discovering the gold you already have inside. Are you ready for the journey?

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The Kintsugi Way

Laura's Journey: Rebuilding from Wounds

Based on the metaphor of Kintsugi

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, highlighting the fractures rather than hiding them. This practice teaches that breakages and repairs are part of an object's history, and that its beauty lies in its imperfection. Similarly, Laura's story shows how pain and wounds don't have to be the end, but rather the starting point for a stronger, more purposeful life.

The Problem: Laura, 50, had lost hope. After a series of devastating losses—family, financial, health, and the loss of her job—she felt her life was "broken" and beyond repair. She had fallen into a cycle of hopelessness, isolation, and guilt. She didn't believe in the possibility of ever being happy again or finding meaning in her life.

The Process (The Kintsugi Way):

• Acceptance of Wounds: As in Kintsugi, the first step for Laura was to stop fighting the pain. With the help of therapy, she learned to accept her losses and suffering not as a personal failure, but as an inevitable part of life. She stopped punishing herself for feeling sad and allowed herself to acknowledge her wounds without judging them.

• Identifying "Gold": In the process, de Laura was helped to identify her deepest values, her "inner gold." Together, we explored what was truly important to her: connection with nature, creativity through painting, and helping others. These values, which had been buried beneath her pain, became the "golden lacquer" she would use to rebuild herself.

Joining the Fragments with Purpose:

• First step: Despite the fatigue, Laura committed to walking in the park every morning. The exposure to nature helped her reconnect with the peace and beauty she had forgotten.

• Second step: She took up her old hobby of painting again, but this time, she used her paintings to express her most difficult emotions. Her canvases became a testament to her pain, but also to her resilience.

• Third step: She joined a support group for people who had gone through similar losses. By sharing her story, she realized that her "fractures" could inspire others. She began to organize painting workshops for people in mourning, combining her passion with her desire to help.

The Outcome: Laura, 50, had lost all hope. After a series of devastating losses—family, financial, health, and the loss of her job—she felt her life was "broken" and beyond repair. She had fallen into a cycle of hopelessness, isolation, and guilt. She no longer believed in the possibility of being happy again or finding meaning in her existence.

Laura's case perfectly illustrates the Kintsugi metaphor: her wounds, far from being something to hide, became the most valuable part of her story, highlighting her strength and her ability to create beauty from adversity.

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