Empathy.
Support. Transformation.
Health is a fundamental right and a central pillar of well-being and quality of life. However, LGBTQIA+ people, and transgender people in particular, continue to face significant barriers in accessing informed, sensitive, and affirming healthcare. In line with its mission to promote safety, inclusion, and unconditional support, Aconchego House created the SOMA programme to improve access to physical, mental, and emotional healthcare for the LGBTQIA+ community.
SOMA, an acronym for Saúde, Orgulho, Mentoria e Acolhimento (in English, Health, Pride, Mentorship, and Care) seeks to address gaps within the conventional healthcare system by facilitating access to specialised care, continuous support, and services provided by qualified professionals, ensuring care is delivered with dignity and respect.
Psychological Support
Our SOMA programme’s psychological counseling services offer a safe and compassionate environment where you can explore your emotions, overcome challenges, and prioritize your well-being. Our experienced professionals are here to guide you through life’s emotional complexities. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress, our team offers personalized therapy sessions tailored to your specific needs. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches to help you manage your mental health effectively and sustainably. Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to request a psychological counseling consultation.
Transgender Support and access to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
As part of the SOMA programme, Aconchego House offers both a transgender support group for community and mentorship as well as individual in-house therapy sessions with an intersectional trans lens on inequality, trauma, and lived experience. In addition to these therapies, Aconchego House has also established a partnership with MUSSOC, a clinic specialised in gender-affirming care, in which we subsidise the cost of Sexology and Endocrinology appointments for our transgender community to gain access to HRT and gender-affirming care. Everyone is deserving of support and space to heal, and Aconchego House is here to help. Please click HERE to fill out our HRT programmerequest form.
Social Pricing for Accessibility
To ensure everyone can access the care they need, we offer social pricing starting at just 5 EUR for those facing financial hardship.
Who We Serve
We are proud to serve individuals and families from all walks of life. Our team, led by our in-house trans non-binary psychologist of color, specializes in providing support for the LGBTQIA+ community and their families, ensuring that everyone has access to the care and guidance they deserve, regardless of their background or identity.
How to Book
To learn more or to book your consultation, please fill in the form below. We’re here to support you on your journey to healing.
PLEASE NOTE:
The support we provide is not for emergency assistance. If you are in Portugal and experiencing a mental health emergency or psychological crisis, please immediately Call 112 (for immediate life-threatening emergencies or severe medical attention) or call 808 24 24 24 to reach the SNS 24 (National Health Service) helpline for non-emergency health guidance and psychological triaging. If you are experiencing a social emergency, please contact the Segurança Social hotline at 144, free of charge.
"Queer individuals often face unique stressors linked to their sexual and/or gender identity. Accessing affirmative therapy provides a crucial space to navigate stigma and discrimination with support and understanding."
Our psychological counseling team
-
Sere Soares Ferreira, Aconchego House’s in-house psychologist and head of Aco Care, is a psychologist with training in Community Psychology and Clinical Sexology, working closely with LGBTQIA+ people around mental health, sexuality, relationships, and belonging.
Sere holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Community Psychology and Protection of Children and Youth at Risk from ISCTE-IUL, as well as postgraduate training in Affirmative Psychosocial Intervention with LGBTQ+ People and Clinical Sexology. Their work is shaped by the understanding that emotional well-being is deeply connected to social context, access to care, and lived experience.
As a trans non-binary person, Sere brings both professional training and lived knowledge into their practice, approaching care with attentiveness to identity, power, and safety. At Aconchego House, they provide individual psychological counseling, facilitate group spaces, and support the development of community-based mental health projects, including initiatives focused on improving access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Sere’s approach is affirmative, trauma-aware, and collaborative. They value therapy as a shared space built on trust, curiosity, and respect, where people can explore themselves at their own pace, without pressure or judgment. Counseling is offered in Portuguese and English.
Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP) — Member nº 135641
-
Hugo Ricardo specializes in LGBTQIA+ mental health issues.
A psychologist and sex educator since 2017, he has worked in a school context for 7 years and is currently working in a clinical context where he has been working with the queer community since 2022. Hugo has a degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Community Psychology and Child Protection in ISCTE-IUL Psychology. He holds a Postgraduate in educational sexology from the SPSC, and attended postgraduate training in Cognitive, Behavioral and Integrative Psychotherapy at APTCCI. He is currently attending a postgraduate course in Clinical Sexology at the SPSC.
Order of Portuguese Psychologists (OPP) #23019
-
Isabelle Amorim, Ph.D. has spent a decade supporting patients around the world, on-line and on demand. She provides individual counseling for adults in Portuguese, English or Spanish. During the sessions, she is guided by respect, empathy, and curiosity. Her background includes two decades working in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, South America and Europe (UNDP, UNICEF, IOM, Mercy Corps, Action Against Hunger). Isabelle is from Brazil and settled in Portugal after nearly 20 years living abroad. She has a deep understanding of the challenges of immigration and considers herself to be an ally for LGBTQIA+ individuals and sexual/gender issues.
Isabelle is an effective member of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (21987), as well as a member of the European Federation of Psychologists Association.
Join Our Team
We’re always looking for compassionate professionals to join our growing community. If you’re a psychologist, therapist, or mental health professional who shares our commitment to holistic care and inclusivity, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at care@aconchego.house to explore opportunities to collaborate and contribute to our mission of healing and support. Together, we can make a difference.
"Focusing on your mental health is one of the most powerful steps you can take to improve your quality of life. During sessions, I provide a space for open dialogue, support, and understanding, helping you care for the most important person in your life."
Consultation Prices
Social Pricing*: sliding scale from €5 to €30
Solidarity Price: €65
*Social price is determined during the first consultation.
Psychology Consultation Request Form
Please fill out this form for psychological counseling. We offer a safe, professional, and non-judgmental space for healing and support.
All information is confidential and will not be shared with anyone.
Your well-being is our priority.
🌈 Aconchego Care: Chemsex Support Group - Well-Being and Community Care
At Aconchego House, we believe in the power of community care. Our Chemsex Support Group is an essential space for individuals to navigate the complexities of substance use and sexual health with care and understanding. Facilitated by a peer volunteer, this group provides a safe, inclusive, and non-judgmental environment to share experiences, exchange information on harm reduction, and build mutual support networks. The group empowers participants to make healthier choices, enhance mental health, and promote emotional resilience in a supportive community.