Finding a therapist you feel comfortable with is an important part of the therapeutic process. I'm Alicja Ligeza, an integrative therapist offering face-to-face therapy in central Lisbon and online sessions. I work primarily with English-speaking adults, including expats and international residents navigating the challenges of life, relationships and change. I believe that a good therapeutic relationship is built on trust, empathy and a sense of feeling understood. I'd like you to feel that you can bring your experiences to therapy as you are, without needing to have everything figured out before we begin.
I'm an integrative therapist with training in Therapeutic Counselling in the UK and psychology in Poland. I'm also a certified Brainspotting practitioner and an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. My approach combines person-centred talking therapy with Brainspotting (BSP), a brain-body psychotherapy approach that can help you explore difficult emotions, memories and experiences that may be hard to put into words.
I aim to create a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment where we can work together at your pace. I see you as the expert on your own life. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, recognise your needs and discover your own resources for change. Some people find it helpful to talk things through, while others prefer periods of quiet reflection and attention to their internal experience. We can adapt our way of working to what feels most helpful for you.
I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. You might be struggling with anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma, grief, low self-esteem or recurring difficulties in your relationships. You may also be adjusting to life in a new country, feeling disconnected from yourself or finding it difficult to understand what you need.
You don't need to have a diagnosis or know exactly what's wrong to start therapy. Sometimes, you simply know that something doesn't feel right or that the ways you've been coping no longer work as well as they used to.
I grew up in Poland and moved to Scotland when I was 20. Since then, I've also lived in England, and I now call Portugal home. Having experienced living more than half of my life in different countries myself, I understand that moving abroad can bring both exciting opportunities and unexpected challenges. Relocation can affect your sense of identity, belonging, relationships and emotional wellbeing. Even when moving abroad is a choice you've made happily, you may experience loneliness, uncertainty or conflicting feelings about the life you've left behind and the one you're building.
As an English-speaking therapist in Lisbon, I offer a space where you can explore these experiences openly, in English, without having to explain every cultural reference or aspect of your background. Most of my clients are English-speakers so the majority of this website is written in English. However, this page includes essential information about therapy in Polish.
You can choose face-to-face sessions in my therapy room in central Lisbon, close to Avenida da Liberdade, or online sessions via video call. Online therapy allows me to work with clients outside of Lisbon, as well as international clients living abroad.
I trained as a counsellor in York, England, where I completed a higher education diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I subsequently continued my education in Poland, gaining qualifications in psychology and further professional training: a master's degree in Psychology and postgraduate diploma in Clinical Psychology. I'm also a certified Brainspotting Practitioner. During my training I worked in the National Health Service in England, seeing clients in two busy GP clinics, and I am qualified and experienced in therapy for adults.
Master's degree in Psychology, postgraduate diploma in Clinical Psychology and Level 4 higher education diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) since 2020
Before I became a therapist, I completed a BA (Hons) in Business Management in Edinburgh and spent almost ten years working in entrepreneurship and marketing. This earlier chapter of my career gives me an additional first-hand experience and a broader perspective on workplace pressures, professional identity, responsibility and the challenges of balancing work with personal wellbeing.
Outside my work, I enjoy travelling, spending time at the beach and making the most of sunny days. I love dogs, scenic drives and the occasional motorcycle ride - although I'm happily the passenger at the back, taking in the views and leaving the driving to someone else. I'm also a veggie food enthusiast, particularly when it comes to Indian, Thai and Italian cuisine. When I'm at home, if I'm not immersed in a psychology book or working out my next training, you'll probably find me reading or watching a classic whodunnit, trying to figure it out before the final reveal
These little things are part of the life I enjoy beyond the therapy room. I think it's important to make space for curiosity, pleasure, adventure and the simple things that help us feel connected to life.
I aim to respond within 24h, Mon to Fri. For urgent support, find public health helpline numbers here.
Rua Alexandre Herculano 19, 1250-008 Lisboa
Nearest Metro stations: Avenida and Marquês de Pombal.
