- Evidence-informed methods
- English and Portuguese
- Perinatal support
About Camila
Camila De Oliveira Mendes Leal welcomes people who are feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety or life changes. She is an ACA counsellor with ten years' experience and speaks English and Portuguese. Camila writes in a warm, direct way and aims to make first steps easier to take.
Her practice grew from training in Brazil and further work in Australia. She describes her approach as grounded in psychoanalysis combined with practical mind-body tools. Sessions often include breathing and body-based exercises designed to help manage anxiety and reduce chronic stress.
Camila also uses techniques from Neuro-Linguistic Programming and hypnotherapy to help people reframe unhelpful patterns. These tools are used alongside longer-form reflective work to address deep-seated emotional issues. The mix is intended to support both short-term coping and longer-term change.
She has particular experience supporting people with trauma and perinatal mental health concerns. Other areas Camila helps with include parenting stresses, self-esteem, coping with abandonment, and challenges linked to chronic illness or caring roles. Adoption and foster care is listed among her focus areas.
Camila aims to work collaboratively, tailoring sessions to each person's needs. She encourages people to try an initial appointment to see whether the way she works feels like a good fit.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Camila uses psychoanalytic exploration to look at recurring patterns and emotional roots, which involves reflective conversation and noticing feelings that come up in the session. This approach can help people understand why certain reactions happen and work steadily towards change.She also teaches mind-body techniques such as HeartMath breathwork to manage anxiety and stress. These are practical exercises people can practise during and after sessions to calm the nervous system and regain steadier emotional control.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming and hypnotherapy are used to reframe unhelpful thoughts and habits, offering tools to shift perspective and access internal coping resources. Together these methods aim to balance immediate symptom relief with longer-term emotional insight.
Choosing the best approach is part of the work. Camila will collaborate with each person to identify goals and try methods that suit their needs and preferences. She adjusts pace and tools based on what helps the individual make progress.
Session formats are not specified here, so please confirm available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into daily life - shorter check-ins, avoiding travel time and stepping in between commitments are practical benefits to consider. Appropriately qualified counsellors can often adapt exercises so they work well in remote sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
10+ years
Credentials
Australia
Languages
English, Portuguese
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns can I bring to sessions?
Common topics include stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting pressures, self-esteem and coping with life changes. Camila also lists additional focuses such as abandonment, adoption and foster care, chronic illness and caregiver stress.
How would you describe the therapy style?
The work blends psychoanalytic reflection with practical mind-body techniques like breathwork and somatic tools, plus Neuro-Linguistic Programming and hypnotherapy to reframe patterns.
What background does Camila have?
She trained as a psychologist in Brazil and has around ten years of clinical experience, now practising in Australia as an ACA counsellor.
Where is Camila based and what credential does she hold?
Camila practises in Australia and is listed with the Australian Counselling Association, noted as ACA.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Portuguese.
Can people from other countries work with Camila?
She does not take international clients at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions are billed through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to try sessions?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.