Ximena Guinguis - Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Ximena was born in Santiago, Chile. With a view to expanding her personal and professional horizons, she left the country in the late 90's and, since then, has lived and worked in different countries and continents.
An experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, she has accumulated a wealth of experience while treating people from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds, both in Europe as well as in the Middle East.
Her approach in therapy is to provide constructive feedback with compassion, warmth and understanding. She helps her clients cope with life’s challenges by encouraging their sense of growth and achievement.
The focus is on helping people in managing depression and anxiety disorders, coping with grief and loss, navigating life transitions, and building healthy communication skills.
Being a fully licensed Psychodynamic Counsellor under the UK law and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), her work is regularly supervised in accordance with expected standards. She works to, and abides by, a professional Code of Ethics and Practice.
From her practice in Málaga (Spain), Ximena offers face-to-face and online therapy to adults, both in English and in Spanish.
Education and Experience
Qualifications
I began my career in the field of Mental Health in the United Kingdom where I was awarded the undergraduate degree of Psychodynamic Counsellor at the University of Surrey in England in 2001. After a few years of working as a Counsellor, I earned a Masters degree in Psychoanalytic Studies at University of Sheffield, England, which was subsequently followed by a post-graduate degree in Psychotherapeutic Studies at the same university.
My academic background provided me a theoretical foundation whilst my 15 years of professional experience in Europe and the Middle East gave me a broader and enriching understanding of the value of the therapeutic process.
Experience
Living and working in multi-cultural societies gave me the opportunity to gain substantial experience in relation to the formalities in which similar issues need to be discussed and treated in different groups, and strengthened my ability to create and manage dialogue. This made my practice more flexible as I focus on understanding and adapting with respect and integrity to different mindsets.
In Europe I worked in the education sector helping young children in their transition into, and out of, international school environments. My work took me to charity agencies where I provided support to young people aged 11-25, and then working with homeless and elderly people.
During the years I spent in the Middle East, I worked in private clinics that provided psychological services. There, I had a unique opportunity to work with a large international client base with different personal, cultural and religious backgrounds.
Ethical Practice
I am regularly enhancing my professional practice through continuing personal development by attending conferences and seminars on current thinking and practice on various mental health issues. I abide by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for Good Practice. In addition to this, and as I am committed to the highest standards of professional development, I have regular supervision to manage my caseload in line with the said professional standards.
