Hi! I’m Leigh, a 43 year old Australian Psychologist, an expat/immigrant in Barcelona since 2011, mama to a Third Culture Kid, and partner in an intercultural marriage. I have over 18 years’ experience working in the field of counselling psychology.
I am the founder of Therapy in Barcelona, and director of the Therapy in Barcelona space where an international team of collaborating therapists support Barcelona’s international community. I also founded and created the Therapist in Barcelona online directory.
I’ve worked with many expats and immigrants from all over the world in the past 9 years in Barcelona, so I come to you with a deep knowledge and first hand experience of the challenges and rewards of expat life.
My passion is helping Barcelona’s international community to learn the skills and strategies to cope with adversity and transitions, to find meaning, and to develop resilience and well being.
The breadth of my personal and professional experience enables me to work in a supportive and sensitive, yet professional and thorough manner with a diversity of clients presenting with a wide range of issues.
I look forward to collaborating with you to help you meet the challenges you face and on maximising your wellness.
My name is Leigh Matthews (1977). I’m a native english speaking Australian psychologist based in Barcelona. I provide coaching for those interested in my services outside of Australia. I bring over 18 years’ of experience and passion for psychological practice in Australia to my work at Therapy in Barcelona.
I am the founder and therapist at Therapy in Barcelona, the founder of the Therapist in Barcelona online directory and I manage the Therapy in Barcelona space where therapists and clients collaborate.
I hold a first class honours in Psychology from the University of Sydney School of Psychology in Australia, a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Practice from the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP), full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and full membership with the Australian Psychological Society.
I worked in my private practice Urban Psychology in Australia for many years until relocating permanently to Barcelona. Before, and whilst I was in private practice I also worked with: cancer patients and carers at The Prince Charles Hospital Cancer Care Service on the Thoracic Unit; the unemployed at Centrelink Australia Psychology Services; members of the GLBTI community, people diagnosed with HIV/AIDs and their friends and families at the AIDs Council of NSW (ACON) in Sydney Australia; people living with chronic pain at Pain Logic in Queensland, Australia; homeless young women at THEBA inc; immigrant women at Bankstown Women’s Health Centre; and patients living with depression, anxiety, phobias and various personality disorders on the Mood Disorder Unit at The Sydney Clinic Private Hospital in Sydney.
I have been a guest lecturer on the topic of Communicating with Clients at Griffith University, Australia, and Supervisor for psychologists-in-training at the Australian College of Applied Psychology and, Masters of Counselling students from the University of Queensland. I was also involved in conducting twin research, extensive structured diagnostic interviews, for the Trauma and Gambling projects run by the Department of Epidemiological Studies at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
I have also been involved in projects such as fundraisers for Pindari Homeless Women’s Shelter in Brisbane, Queensland and convening groups for psychology professionals including the Brisbane arms of the Australian Psychological Society’s Buddhism and Psychology Interest Group and the Mental Health Professionals Network peer supervision meetings.
