Office of Counseling and Health Promotion - GAPS

The Department of Psychology of the Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa created, since 2001, the Office of Counseling and Health Promotion – GAPS.

For several years, European and American universities have invested in the creation of counseling or psychological consultation services aimed at optimizing students' personal well-being and skills. In the same vein, part of the Portuguese academy shares the philosophy that the University cannot be seen today as a mere place of knowledge transmission, but as a true “community of interests”, where students and professors aim to advance knowledge, factor of development of the individual and society.

The person as a whole is in permanent change, interacting dynamically with the environment, in its organic, psychic, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions. Learning and intellectual development are, necessarily, influenced by the way they experience themselves globally and by the strategies they find to deal with the internal and external situations they face during their existence.
Confrontation with the demands and challenges of the academic environment sometimes trigger feelings of incapacity with an impact on self-esteem; the management of individual differences in the group context can trigger internal conflicts whose eventual consequences translate into isolation or demotivation; the uncertainties and decisions they face from a personal and professional point of view trigger existential questions; the way to deal with everyday stress can lead to inappropriate behaviors that are a source of psychological suffering.

The human person has the potential to help manage and overcome adversities, however, there are moments in life when, due to internal or external factors or pressures, the help of a specialized technician, in a context of confidentiality, is a more - primordial value for it to reflect and clarify itself, rediscover confidence, well-being and, consequently, improve the quality of life and its self-fulfillment.

THE GAPS is a free service that aims to promote the health of students, teachers, employees

The recourse to GAPS it may always be that you have a problem that worries you:

  1. It could be a personal or academic problem;
  2. It may be a temporary crisis or an issue that has been worrying you for a long time;
  3. It could be a stress management issue;
  4. It may be a problem of demotivation (eg professional, academic);
  5. It may be a need for vocational counseling.

Whatever your concerns, the technicians of the GAPS will do their best to help solve your problems. Initially, an exploratory session will be held, with the aim of clarifying your needs and finding the most appropriate means of help.

The follow-up process is subject to confidentiality and has a limited time for interventions.

Helpers work in such a way that:

  1. Discover and develop your personal or academic resources;
  2. Be able to see situations more clearly and come to your own decisions;
  3. Resolve internal conflicts by yourself;
  4. Optimize your relational skills in interacting with others;
  5. Manage feelings of inadequacy;
  6. Find personal strategies for dealing with or overcoming isolation;
  7. Can improve your family communication.

 

Clinical Responsible:

  • Professor Odete Nunes – Psychologist – Psychotherapist
  • Prof. Doctor João Hipólito – Psychiatrist – Psychotherapist

Administrative Responsible:

  • Professor Rute Brites – Psychologist – Psychotherapist

Information:
Local:

  • Rua de Santa Marta (building opposite the Palace),
  • No. 47 - 5th floor - room 505

Appointment Scheduling: Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm

Contacts: