Mr Eric Rangel Oliveira

A conversation with Eric Rangel Oliveira

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  My passion for working within the mental health and addiction field has been ignited by my journey of self-development and inspired by the recovery journeys of other people.
  
  This passion and inspiration have fuelled my professional and personal values, such as my commitment to work from a harm reduction, trauma-informed and recovery model lens, striving to reduce stigma and support recovery from mental health and addiction problems. These values are grounded in the recognition of the following essential contributing factors for solid recovery journeys:
  
  Hope
  
  Positive Sense of Self
  
  Dignity
  
  Empowerment
  
  Self-determination
  
  Self-Efficacy
  
  Collaboration
  
  Safety
  
  Meaningful Life (Sense of Purpose)
  
  Respect
  

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  I seek professional development within areas where there is research (EBT).
  
  Another significant value that guides my professional development is to develop skills and knowledge that will allow me to support sustainable behavioural change. I truly believe that recovery is not just about cognitive changes but about nurturing conditions that allow sustainable changes in behavioural patterns.
  
  I understand that recovery is not just about symptom reduction but also about supporting people to live meaningful lives according to their values and aspirations.
  Thus, as part of my toolbox as a therapist, I seek professional development to enhance my ability to support my clients to improve their overall functioning in the following ways:
  
  1-) Enhancing the client’s motivation to change.
  
  2-) Enhancing the client’s ability to problem-solve.
  
  3-) Addressing entrenched maladaptive personality patterns that often lead the clients to feel stuck in vicious cycles.
  
  4-) Supporting clients in addressing the impacts of trauma.
  
  5-) Helping the client’s ability to build skills (mindfulness, emotional regulation and distress tolerance).
  
  6-) Enhancing their ability to self-regulation and co-regulation skills (e.g. through somatic interventions, breathing techniques, relaxation strategies and sensorimotor psychotherapy approaches).
  
  7-) Enhancing the client’s ability to thrive in interpersonal connections (e.g. working on interpersonal effectiveness, communication and social skills).
  
  8-) Supporting the client in learning self-compassion and acceptance and developing a sense of resilience and self-efficacy.
  

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I take a holistic approach to understanding mental health, looking at how biological, psychological, and social factors all play a role in a person’s well-being. I’m interested in how different life experiences—like physical health conditions, stress, past trauma, relationships, and social challenges—can make someone more vulnerable to mental health struggles.
  
  I also recognise that healing isn’t just about the individual—it often involves creating a supportive environment, building coping skills, and finding ways to reduce stress wherever possible. I aim to help people and their support networks make meaningful changes that support long-term recovery and well-being.
  

• What methods do you use?

  I believe therapy should be a compassionate and collaborative journey where clients feel safe to explore how their past experiences, relationships, and unmet needs shape their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. I focus on helping people build resilience, confidence, and the necessary tools to create meaningful, lasting change.
  
  I tailor my approach to each person, drawing from a range of evidence-based therapies, including Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, CBT, DBT, CT-R, Schema Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I also incorporate mindfulness, self-compassion, Polyvagal Theory, and practical strategies for emotional regulation and personal growth—all within a supportive, non-judgmental space.
  
  

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Recovery looks different for everyone and can be measured in different ways:
  
  Through progress and change: We can track improvements in symptoms and daily functioning using tools that help measure progress over time.
  
  Through personal growth and fulfilment: True recovery also means living a meaningful life that aligns with a person’s values. That’s why it’s important to regularly check in on how therapy is helping clients move toward the life they want
  
  My perspective is that a formal diagnosis isn’t necessary to start counselling. What truly matters is having personal goals to work toward (e.g. achieving growth in a particular area of life). Progress happens when clients feel they are moving closer to those goals and creating positive change in their lives.
  
  

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  I’ve personally experienced the power of therapy, from CBT to more recent work with hypnotherapy, as part of my own journey of self-development.
  Alongside that, practices like yoga, reiki, and meditation have been an important part of my life for many years.
  
  One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that real change comes from consistency and commitment. It’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you apply it in your daily life in a meaningful, practical way. Sustainable change takes practice, patience, and dedication.
  
  So, as you step into this journey, the question isn’t just about what you want to change—it’s about how ready you are to commit to the process. How motivated are you to create the life you want?
  

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  What I value most in therapy is the opportunity to connect with clients on a deeply human level. Building a genuine, trusting relationship based on empathy, authenticity, and unconditional acceptance is at the heart of my approach.
  
  It’s a privilege to witness each person’s growth, acknowledge their progress, and walk alongside them as they navigate their journey toward healing, self-discovery and self-improvement.
  

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  We all have days when things don’t go as planned—when we feel off, unmotivated, or not quite like ourselves.
  
  No one operates at 100% all the time, and that’s okay. We’re human, and part of growth is learning to navigate those moments with kindness and self-compassion.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  One of the biggest challenges we face today is the growing disconnect between modern advancements and our overall well-being. Despite incredible progress in medicine, many people in Western societies struggle with metabolic health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. At the same time, we are witnessing pandemic levels of trauma worldwide, with an alarming number of children affected by complex and relational trauma.
  
  Beyond physical and psychological health, societal values are also shifting in ways that impact our well-being. Transactional relationships, individualism, and competitiveness often take priority over genuine human connection, leaving many people feeling emotionally deprived and isolated. In a culture that encourages constant distraction and avoidance of discomfort—often at the cost of self-awareness—we risk losing touch with ourselves and others.
  
  The challenge is addressing these issues individually and creating a world where connection, self-awareness, and emotional well-being are genuinely valued.
  
  

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  One work of art that truly inspires me is Cinema Paradiso. This film beautifully captures the power of art to provide comfort and escape from life’s struggles. It also celebrates nostalgia, reminding us how our past experiences shape who we become. Beyond its heartfelt storytelling, the soundtrack is breathtaking—it’s one of those rare films that stays with you long after the credits roll.