I immigrated to the United States in 2007 with approximately $50 in my pocket and a determination to build a new life. My initial goal was clear: to perfect my English and return to Brazil as a teacher. At the time, I was pursuing a degree in education with a focus on English, Portuguese, and literature, dreaming of teaching my fellow Brazilians. However, life had other plans. Leaving behind my family and a promising career at the second-largest mining company in the world, I took a leap of faith. My journey began in Santa Inês, a small town in northeast Brazil, and brought me to the United States, where I was welcomed by a host family who offered me support as I started this new chapter.

Though I initially planned to return home, my time in the U.S. transformed my aspirations. I found a new calling in counseling, driven by my growing desire to help others. In 2014, I was accepted into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. My initial focus was on working with veterans experiencing trauma. However, during my internship that same year, I was placed in an outpatient practice where I began working with men and women on probation for domestic violence. This experience ignited a passion I didn’t know I had—helping individuals heal from the root causes of abuse and creating positive change in their lives.

Following my internship, I gained valuable experience working with families involved in the criminal justice system and the Department of Human Services at Savio House. Witnessing the struggles of families living in poverty and dealing with abusive or neglectful environments deepened my commitment to serving marginalized communities. This desire to make a more meaningful impact led me to the Colorado Department of Corrections. At Centennial Correctional Facility, I provided mental health counseling to inmates, including domestic violence offenders, sex offenders, murderers, and serial killers. It was here that I fully embraced the power of compassionate counseling. Regardless of their crimes, I worked to empathize with my clients, believing fervently in the potential for healing and change—even in the most challenging cases.

While working at the Department of Corrections, I pursued approval from the Colorado Offender Management Board to specialize in domestic violence treatment. However, during a subsequent internship at a private practice, I was deeply troubled by outdated methods and an uninspired approach to client care. This experience motivated me to establish Vivus Counseling Services—a practice rooted in client-centered, contemporary, and meaningful approaches to healing.

Through years of professional training, independent research, and learning from my own mistakes, I developed The CARE Method. This evidence-based approach is designed to help individuals with interpersonal relationship issues heal and build healthier relationships. Publishing The CARE Method was a defining moment in my career, but it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to go deeper—not just to share my method but to empower and inspire other therapists to work effectively with this challenging population.