Anna Fernandes Lucas

My professional journey

My career began in Portugal after graduating in Clinical and Health Psychology. Soon afterwards I completed a 600-hour postgraduate professional training in Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Neuropsychology, which gave me advanced clinical grounding in assessment, psychotherapy and neuropsychological rehabilitation.

My early clinical experience included psychiatric training at Hospital Júlio de Matos and psychosocial rehabilitation with adults living with schizophrenia. Working in those settings taught me something that has stayed with me ever since: people are never their diagnosis. Behind every diagnosis is a life story.

Over the following years I expanded into educational psychology, supporting children, adolescents and families while specialising in giftedness, psychological assessment and emotional development. Alongside this I worked in organisational psychology, conducting psychological assessments, occupational consultations and recruitment.

After moving to Germany I continued practising as a psychologist within the German educational and healthcare systems, before establishing my private practice and eventually founding the International Psychology Clinic. Today I divide my time between psychotherapy, psychological assessment, clinical supervision and leading an international multidisciplinary team.

My therapeutic philosophy

I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy, and I don't believe people can be understood through diagnoses alone. Every person's emotional difficulties develop within the context of their relationships, experiences, personality and life history.

For that reason I never begin by asking "Which diagnosis fits this person?" Instead I ask: "How did this person become who they are today?" Only once we understand that story can meaningful psychological change begin.

How I work

My work is integrative and scientifically grounded. Rather than following a single school of psychotherapy, I combine evidence-based approaches according to the individual needs of each client. Depending on the situation, therapy may draw on:

• Schema Therapy — to uncover deep-rooted emotional patterns
• Emotion-Focused Therapy — to deepen emotional awareness and processing
• EMDR — to process trauma and distressing experiences
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Health Psychology

Therapy begins with a comprehensive psychological evaluation of your emotional patterns, beliefs and past experiences. That helps identify the root causes of distress and establish a personalised therapeutic path. In a supportive, non-judgemental environment we work together to recognise recurring patterns, build emotional resilience, and strengthen the coping strategies that matter most to you.

The approach always follows the person — never the other way around.

What you can expect

A complimentary 15-minute consultation

Choosing a therapist is an important decision. If you are unsure whether therapy is right for you, or whether I am the right therapist, you are welcome to schedule a complimentary 15-minute introductory call. We can briefly discuss your concerns, answer your questions and work out whether we are a good fit before therapy begins.

Your first appointment

The first session is not about receiving immediate advice. It is about understanding you. We explore your current concerns, personal history, important relationships, significant life events and the emotional patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties. That comprehensive assessment lets therapy be tailored to you from the very beginning.

Psychological assessment where appropriate

Some clients benefit from additional psychological assessment. Where it is clinically indicated, I may recommend evidence-based questionnaires or structured assessment tools to better understand personality patterns, emotional functioning, ADHD, autism or other relevant factors. Assessment is never routine — it is recommended only when it adds meaningful clinical value.

Clinical summaries after sessions

One aspect of my practice that many clients particularly value is the personalised clinical summary provided after each session. These go beyond describing what was discussed: they integrate psychological insights, therapeutic reflections and the key themes of the session, so you can keep processing the work between appointments. Many clients describe them as an important part of their therapeutic journey — a way to consolidate learning, deepen self-understanding and follow their own progress over time.

Therapy between sessions

Therapy does not begin and end within fifty minutes. The most meaningful change often happens between sessions. I encourage reflection, practical exercises and continued observation of emotional patterns in everyday life. The goal is not simply to feel better during therapy — it is to live differently outside it.

Clinical Director

Alongside my own clinical work, I serve as Founder and Clinical Director of the International Psychology Clinic. I oversee the clinical standards of the practice, supervise quality of care across our multidisciplinary team, and personally select every therapist who joins the clinic.

Our shared goal is simple: to provide thoughtful, evidence-based and culturally sensitive psychological care to every person who walks through our doors.

A personal note

Living and working in both Portugal and Germany has profoundly shaped the way I understand psychological wellbeing. Experiencing different cultures, languages and healthcare systems has reinforced my belief that good therapy begins with genuine curiosity, compassion and respect for each person's unique story.

More than twenty years after my first clinical placement, I remain fascinated by people's capacity to change. It is a privilege to accompany that journey.