What role did school play in your life?

School "saved me" on many occasions… It was this incredibly positive experience that sparked my desire to work with children and young people, to contribute to their mental health, their full development, their fulfilment, and their psychological well-being.

 

What memories do you have of your childhood?

I was born in Germany. I come from a financially struggling family, and life was very difficult in Portugal in the 1960s and 70s, so my parents emigrated… I lived in Germany until I was five. I ended up growing up in Coruche, in the Ribatejo region.

 

Besides your very happy experience at school, volunteering also played a significant role in shaping your professional path…

Yes, it was crucial. I have been volunteering since I was 14, taking part in numerous projects and joining various organisations. All my free time was dedicated to volunteering — at mental health hospitals, drug rehabilitation centres, care homes for the elderly, nurseries… I volunteered in Coruche, but during the holidays, I did so in different places across the country. It allowed me to see different realities and reinforced my belief that Psychology was the path for me.

 

What inspired you to volunteer?

Perhaps no one… That’s an interesting question, but I think I always felt that my time could be used more wisely in service to others. I never saw much sense in doing nothing. The summer holidays were incredibly long, and in Coruche, there was nothing to do (laughs). My own motivations led me to get so involved in volunteering.

 

When did you leave Coruche?

When I started university and moved to Coimbra to study Psychology. It was an absolutely fantastic experience. I loved living in Coimbra so much that the hardest part was having to leave (laughs)!

 

During your degree, you chose to specialise in Educational and Human Development Psychology. What is the goal of this area of Psychology?

This field aims to create conditions that allow individuals, throughout their entire life cycle, to develop to their fullest potential and achieve psychological well-being. When we talk about Educational Psychology, we mean contributing to people’s empowerment and maximising their potential. It is a proactive and preventative field that helps to avoid many psychological adjustment and mental health issues. A psychologist in this area doesn’t just work with children and young people but with people at all stages of life. They can intervene directly or indirectly through educators, teachers, parents, and caregivers.

 

School is the ultimate place for development…

School is something incredible… Not everyone goes to hospital, court, prison, or a sports club… But everyone goes to school! And for many years, spending many hours there each day. What happens at school and how development, well-being, and socio-emotional skills can be strategically promoted there is absolutely crucial. School is one of the main contexts and driving forces for promoting mental health.

 

"We take the training of psychologists very seriously."

 

What happened after you completed your degree?

My first job was at a residential care home in Coimbra. Only later did I move to Porto, where I started working in research and entered the academic world.

 

Was that unexpected?

Yes, because if you had told me 30 years ago that I would pursue an academic career, I would have laughed out loud. But it happened… A professor invited me to join a project at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences at the University of Porto, and I accepted. It was a matter of opportunity. I grabbed it, and everything naturally followed from there. At the time, I was involved in Social Psychology, which became the focus of my research and master’s degree. It’s a fascinating field that spans all areas of Psychology. But later, I returned to Educational Psychology, and my doctorate was in that field.

 

"I will never give up the closeness, contact, and connection with people."

 

You joined Católica in 2004 as part of the team that launched the Psychology degree programme. What distinguishes Psychology at Católica?

The other day, after a lecture, a student came up to me and asked, "Professor, is the training here really good?" Do you know what I did? I laughed (laughs) and told them the best thing to do was ask graduates from Católica! They would be the best people to answer that. As for me, I believe deeply in this project. I have believed in it for 20 years, and I still do. We give it our all, 100%, and we are fully aware of the immense responsibility that comes with training psychologists. We take it very seriously. What sets us apart is our genuine concern for students, the comprehensive education that includes socio-emotional skills, the opportunities we provide—such as community service and service-learning—and our research. People are becoming increasingly aware of the quality of our work, and each year, more students choose to study with us.

 

What motivates you most in your profession?

What motivates me is the opportunity to train psychologists. It is truly a huge responsibility, and I can contribute to it. For me, it is a great privilege. I want to have an impact on people, and I can do that by training high-quality psychologists. I also make sure to maintain an active role outside of teaching and research. I am the coordinator of the University Psychology Clinic at FEP. I have always worked as a psychologist with children, young people, and families. So, my professional life also has a strong practical component. I will never give up the closeness, contact, and connection with people.

 

Do you bring that into your teaching?

Absolutely, and I think that’s what engages students. I believe it makes me a better professional. It is far more impactful to teach with "one foot" in practice. You can see the students' eyes light up when there are real examples, concrete situations, and true stories.

 

A teacher who made a lasting impression on you?

My primary school teacher was a truly remarkable person in my life…

 

Why? Did she believe in her students’ potential?

Completely! When a child feels that someone believes in them, it triggers and activates a series of psychological processes that are crucial… Children progress much more when they sense that others trust in their abilities.

 

But students are often labelled, and biases develop easily…

That’s where Social Psychology comes in! First impressions, biases, and stereotypes are all cognitive shortcuts that help us "survive" the overwhelming amount of information we process. But the truth is that they have a significant impact… It is incredibly serious when professionals working with people fail to challenge their own biases, stereotypes, and preconceived ideas. Often, when a teacher doubts a student’s abilities, there is not yet enough evidence to determine whether they are capable or not. There are many distorted generalisations, and some teachers—from primary to secondary school and even higher education—commit deep injustices against students because they do not challenge their own assumptions. If more teachers took a step back before making premature and probably unfair judgments, many issues could be avoided. Especially in primary and secondary education, school must be a psychologically safe space. Students should know they can trust at least one adult who gives them opportunities to grow and does not immediately judge their difficulties and vulnerabilities.

 

"Ultimately, we are here in this life to care for one another."

 

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I go for a walk every day at seven in the morning. It relaxes me and helps clear my mind. I also find reading, watching series, and cooking very relaxing. I love cooking. Cooking is also a way of caring and expressing love.

 

What drives you?

God. Love. My faith moves and inspires me. Ultimately, we are here in this life to care for one another, and that is the great purpose of my life. As Saint Augustine said, "Love, and do what you will."