Psychology Mercedes Puchol

I obtained my degree in Psychology from the University of Valencia (Spain) in 1996, having completed my studies at the University of Staffordshire (England) as a scholarship recipient.

I began working at Mental Health Public Services in Valencia in the Area of Psychiatry. At the same time I started practicing psychotherapy in the private area in which I was part of an Interdisciplinary Team that aided children, adolescents and adults with diverse pathologies. At that time, my interest in children and adolescents led me to specialize in the treatment of infancy and adolescence at the Spanish Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents. At a later date I became a member of this society.

My great interest for Psychoanalysis directed me to begin studying with prestigious psychoanalysts from the Madrid Psychoanalytical Association (Spain), the Buenos Aires Psychoanalytical Association (Argentina) and the British Psychoanalytical Association. Subsequently, I was admitted to the Institute of Psychoanalysis of Madrid Psychoanalytical Association (component society of the International Psychoanalytical Association) in order to achieve my official training as a psychoanalyst in this Institution. After intense years of work and study, I finished my training at the Institute of the Madrid Psychoanalytical Association. Currently, I belong to this Institute. At present, I colaborate as a member of the Publications and Library Board of the Madrid Psychonalytical Association (APM).

Psychosomatic illnesses and pathologies also awoke my interest and I attended different courses on these themes at the Institute for Psychosomatic Studies and Medical Psychotherapy. Currently, I am a member of this Institute and work with patients with illnesses or psychosomatic problems.

From my beginnings in this profession, I have collaborated with different centres and organizations such as: high schools, nursery schools, associations for mental healthcare, public cultural centres and associations, and non-governmental organizations. These collaborations have consisted in giving conferences and workshops, as well as in the realization of distinct types of interventions, orientations and advising related to the field of Psychology, Psychoanalysis and Mental Health Prevention.

I have also collaborated within the business world by having organized workshops and courses for directors and employees who desired to acquire an in-depth understanding about the dynamics of human organizations and groups. In this area I started working as a psychological advisor and counsellor for the International Company ICAS, carving out the functions of giving psychological counselling and advising for employees and company clients by treating personal problems and work related difficulties.

Throughout my life I have also been in close contact with the artistic and cultural world. My interest in it has led me to collaborate in different creative processes by counselling and coaching artists from different genres. In this area, I have advised and mediated during moments of creative crises. Furthermore, I have helped to initiate and develop various artistic and cultural projects. From this perspective, I have also contributed to the in-depth study of these creations and works of art while working on the psychological aspects of these compositions. At the same time, I have also related these works of art to the history and personal biography of the artist who was consulting with me. Within this field of art and culture, I have attended different philosophy, literature, film and music courses and conferences, and I have given various talks and written articles on "Cinema and Psychoanalysis". Currently, I belong to the group of the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid of "Psychology and Audiovisual Media/Theatre Arts" which collaborates with the promotion of psychology within the audiovisual and theatre art environments.

Regarding private practice, with which presently I dedicate the majority of my time, I work as a psychologist-psychotherapist and psychoanalyst in Madrid with adults, adolescents and children with varied problems and pathologies. I also work with families and couples as well as with groups with distinct objectives, from the psychological support and counselling angle to the educational, giving courses and workshops of diverse natures.

I am a member of the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid. I also hold the titles of Specialist in Clinical Psychology by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and of Specialist in Psychotherapy by the European Federation of Psychotherapy Associations.

I have participated actively in different conferences, activities and congresses from : the Madrid Psychoanalytical Association, the International Organization for Psychoanalysis Studies, the British Psychoanalytical Society, the Institute for Psychosomatic and Medical Psychotherapy Studies, the Spanish Society of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents, the European Society of Psychopathologies for Children and Adolescents and the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid.

I am in close contact with other professionals from my field and sphere of work whom I can recommend if the occasion is needed. I also participate in interdisciplinary collaborations with people from different scientific and cultural fields. I frequently collaborate with psychiatrists, lawyers and psychologists from diverse specializations and schools.

Throughout my life as well as at the present moment, I have had the opportunity and the experience to relate to people from different cultures and nationalities. I respect all types of cultures, beliefs and ideologies, and I am interested in all types of problems that are related with cross-cultural migration and adaptation to new socio-cultural environments. I work with people from different cultures and nationalities and I realize counselling and psychotherapies in English.

I am available for any type of consultation, collaboration or enquiry, and it is my hope that my background and studies may of help for all those who request my professional services.