João G. Pereira

João G. Pereira is a Chartered Clinical and Counselling Psychologist (BPS and OPP), Doctor in Psychotherapy by Middlesex University and Registered in the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy and the European Association of Psychotherapy. He began his professional life in Lisbon and Barcelona and later settled in the United Kingdom, where he lived and worked for 10 years, mostly in psychiatry departments of the national health system (NHS). He is the Clinical Director of Romão de Sousa Foundation and Casa de Alba since its inception, having introduced the Democratic Therapeutic Community tradition and the Open Dialogue system in Portugal with the 1st pilot project and training program offered in the country. João taught in different universities and is currently Senior Academic Lecturer in the Doctoral Programs at Metanoia Institute in London as well as Clinical and Research Supervisor of Masters and Doctorate students. He has a particular interest in the development of the therapeutic relationship and the intersection between relational psychoanalysis, philosophy and affective neurosciences, particularly in the area of ​​mentalization, which led to his accreditation with the British Psychoanalytic Council. He is the current President of the International Network of Democratic Therapeutic Communities (INDTC) and Advisory Board Member of the International Journal of TC´s. Joao has also been involved with the International Network of Living Learning Experiences (INLLE), having recently taken part in the set up of LLE trainings in Vancouver and British Columbia. He is the author of numerous publications in scientific journals and in the media, having also edited and co-authored two books, “Schizophrenia and Common Sense” by Springer-Nature and “The Neurobiology-Psychotherapy-Pharmacology Intervention Triangle” by Vernon Press.