Our Team

Maria João is defined by her humanity.

Registered EUROPSY Psychologist in the Clinical and Health Education field, she has been practicing Psychology for 24 years. Graduated from the FPCE of the University of Coimbra in the field of Psychological Assessment, Defectology and Rehabilitation, and Post-Graduate Grade III in Clinical Psychology (Psychological Consultation, Neuropsychology and Psychotherapy.

Maria João is an effective member of the Order of Portuguese Psychologists. She has worked in different contexts in the field of Psychology, highlighting her long activity in private practice, in particularly in the areas of anxiety, depression, burnout, domestic violence, education, ADHD, in the implementation and coordination of projects related to psychotherapy, training and clinical supervision.

She has been a Reiki therapist since 2014, being a member of APRE- Associação Portuguesa de Reiki Essencial.

As a facilitator of Sacred Circles of Personal Development for many years, observed the contribution of the community as an organizing element, which provides understanding and compassion. This awareness has become increasingly noticeable, helping to integrate shared dynamics.

Eclectic in her passions in all the developments that art entails, but assuming her preferences in literature, dance and music. Practitioner of Lu Jong, Qi Qong, Tai Chi, Mindfulness, Argentine Tango and Contact Improvisation. She considers herself a monist, and the classification between body and mind as two separate “realities” does not make sense. 

With a restless mind, she concluded that the biggest challenge would be to “re-signify” herself, and on this internal journey to develop an identity that was not “stuck” to the labels she gained, transforming and integrating a hectic and overloaded life, in full presence and balance.

Frederico studied Psychology at Universidade da Beira Interior, having a master degree in Clinical and Health Psychology.

He worked at São João University Hospital Center (Porto) in Neuropsychology and Community fields. He also conducted an investigation about Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-being, and distress in adults in Portugal, having a close understanding of the variables that influence them. His work was dedicated to neuropsychological assessments and rehabilitation. In parallel, he led group sessions always in the optic of developing motivation, correct expectations and a sense of belonging in the group.

Developing crisis sessions intervention, through psychological sessions for persons that were living a more stressful situation, such as divorce, domestic violence, grief, heartbreaks, is one of Frederico favorite processes in his professional activity.

In his Private Practice, based on the Behavioral Cognitive Therapy (CBT) model, Frederico worked with teenagers and adults, carrying out psychological assessments and intervention, mostly related to ADHD, Phobias, Anxiety (Social, Performance, Specific) , Depression, Self-esteem issues, Self-regulation and Parenting.

He is always in the quest for knowledge and meaning and thrives to research and deconstruct concepts into tangible, comprehensible, and particle models to facilitate the integration of what he provided in his interactions and counseling practice.

Fred is passionate about helping to create meaning, awareness and purpose in one person’s life, therefore, he will help you, explore and discover your inner map.
He likes to skydive, explore mountains, and navigate in multiple topics like philosophy, cinema, music, and industry development.

You can speak to him in Portuguese, English and French.

Inês Capela studied Psychology in England at Middlesex University London, and completed her studies in Clinical and Health Psychology at Universidade Católica do Porto. She conducted research in Portugal and Spain, developing mental health interventions and programs while investigating the effectiveness of those approaches to several mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, eating disorders).

She worked in a primary care unit, a university, a private practice and psychiatric clinic for substance abuse treatment, which gives her the ability to intervene with a broad range of mental health issues.

Apart from her clinical experience, she is an outdoors lover, enjoys catching waves, going for long walks, and breathing the cold air of the mountains. She also loves traveling and languages. You can speak to her in Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

Teresa has been a meditation practitioner since 1988. She has extensive training and experience in mindfulness, and holds a Master’s degree in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Interventions (with a focus on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) from Bangor University, UK. Her background is in Transcendental Meditation and she studied the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Sanskrit, and Ayurveda before training in the Theravadin tradition. Additionally, Teresa practices and teaches Insight Dialogue, an interpersonal practice created by Gregory Kramer that brings together meditative awareness, Buddhist teachings, and dialogue to support understanding of the nature and release of human suffering.

Teresa offers mindfulness-based programs in different social contexts, supporting other humans in their search for more balance in their lives. She facilitates mindfulness courses and retreats at Centro Upaya in Lisbon, Instituto Português de Psicoterapia Corporal in Coimbra, and the Porto Buddhist Centre. She also offers online training courses to the public on the topic of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBCT, MBSR, and Mindful Eating). Other nonprofit organisations she is involved with include MP4s/ Mindfulness Practices for Students in Society, Conhecer-Se, and the Potential Project.

She enjoys the opportunity to provide extensive support for people in search of a meaningful life while motivating them to discover true inner peace and their healthiest self. She feels that it’s a real gift to see people moving toward this direction. Her intention when working with people is not about fixing their problems but being of service. She believes her strengths emanate from bringing forth love, understanding, and respect for mindfulness, and all that it encompasses. Teresa practises yoga, loves to swim, and prefers the countryside over towns. She likes to learn and engage in meaningful conversations. She has lived most of her life as a foreigner, something which has taught her to be flexible and to learn from different cultures.

– Training and Qualifications –

Master’s degree in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Interventions (focus on MBCT)
Bangor University, UK
Certification for the Mindful-Based Stress Reduction program
Mindful Academy, Spain
Certification for the ‘Mindful Eating – Conscious Living’ program with Jan Chozen Bays and Char Wilkins
Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California-San Diego, USA
Certification for the ‘Finding Peace in a Frantic World’ course
University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre, UK
Bachelor & Master’s degree in Pedagogy of Performing Arts
Bruckner Universität, Austri

Danielle Marie Hutchinson, our esteemed Wellness Professional, hails from Manchester, England. With a passion for holistic well-being, Danielle specialises in yoga instruction for individuals of all ages.

Having accumulated nearly 1000 hours of yoga training from esteemed locations around the world—including India, Bali, Australia, the Netherlands, and Thailand—Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice. Her extensive training extends beyond yoga, encompassing meditation, mindfulness, art therapy, pilates, and sound healing.

Prior to her immersion in the world of yoga, Danielle dedicated five years to the study of dance and theatrical arts, infusing her teachings with creativity and flair. Her approach to wellness revolves around exploring the symbiotic relationship between mind and body through a variety of techniques and perspectives.

Driven by a deep-seated desire to help others break free from mental limitations and rediscover boundless joy, Danielle’s teaching style is characterised by enthusiasm, positivity, and a grounded understanding of yoga philosophy.

After a session with Danielle, clients can expect to feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and inspired to embark on their personal wellness journey. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to partner with Danielle as she guides individuals towards holistic health and happiness.

They say you don’t know a person until you walk a mile in their shoes , Let’s take you for a short journey on Kavous ‘s shoes! He grew up in a family full of poetry and colours of Sufism .  The first clue to his future profession came from a young age ; he was only 8 years old when he started to read books about Yoga and the life of ancient Indian yogis and sages and started to practice some of their meditations with his older brother then. As a very active child he was attracted to Karate and Martial arts alongside other sports. He received his first black belt by the age 18 and started to teach Karate one year afterwards. Alongside his practices and teaching, his urge of knowing the truth , thrived him to study Theology ; religions and mysticism.

Kavous did a bit of travelling all around the world (about 20 different countries) and he has been trained / practiced in many different fields in fitness and spirituality such as Reiki , Vipassana , Ayurvedic therapies , Sound bath healing and Kundalini Yoga. He has worked in luxury hotels and cruise ships as a wellness practitioner (Personal trainer , Yoga and Pilates instructor and holistic therapist) for the past few years mostly in the UK. Kavous consider himself as a lifelong practitioner in his individual and collective spiritual journey. He is gifted to continue his strong compassion of sharing and teaching to the other light seekers.

Training and qualifications:

Mindful living program – Steiner Academy

Sound bath Group , Amethyst Crystal Sound Bath healing treatment – Steiner Academy

Pure form Pilates , Stretch and release – Steiner Academy

Restorative Yoga and Chakra Wellbeing Yoga – Steiner Academy

200-hours Vinyasa flow teacher training- Suryalila , Spain

Gym instructing and Personal training- CMC,England

Reiki Level 2

Ayurvedic treatments and consultation

Holistic massage treatments ; Aromatherapy, Swedish and Thai massage – Kirklees College, England

Bachelor of Theology, religions and mysticism – Tehran

Karate black belt 3rd Dan and Taekwondo black belt 2nd Dan

Joana specialises in traditional Chinese medicine. Trained at the Portuguese Institute of Naturology in Coimbra, she has extensive experience in acupuncture, auriculotherapy, Chinese dietetics, emotional kinesiology, phytotherapy, and aromatherapy. Joana is also an expert in several types of massage, including tui na, shiatsu, reflexology, manual lymphatic drainage, and relaxation massage. She works in a variety of professional modalities across numerous locations in the central Portugal region, and is dedicated to the wellbeing of the people and communities she serves.

At New Life Portugal, she offers the following treatments:

– Relaxation Massage –
A gentle and relaxing massage to restore balance to the body and mind. Useful for relieving daily tensions accumulated over time.

– Tui Na –
A traditional Chinese Medicine therapeutic massage, tui na is very useful for relieving pain and muscle tension. It is an intense massage, with deep and vigorous movements which trigger self-regenerating, immune, and analgesic processes.

– Shiatsu –
A massage of Japanese origin which promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through the digital pressure of acupuncture points. An extremely relaxing massage, this method increases vitality and promotes the circulation of energy (qi) in the meridians, in order to promote health and help the body in its self-regulation and healing.

– Reflexology –
An oriental massage which stimulates certain areas of the feet corresponding to different organs or parts of the body, thus promoting balance in the body. Reflexology induces a state of deep physical and mental relaxation and a sense of general wellbeing.

– Manual Lymphatic Drainage (Dr. Vodder Method) –
The lymphatic system’s ‘mission’ is to collect excess fluids and toxins from the body. It also plays a fundamental role in our immune system, activating defence cells and destroying certain viruses and bacteria. Manual lymphatic drainage is a localised, therapeutic leg massage characterised by very gentle and precise movements, capable of stimulating the lymphatic system and improving circulation.

– Therapeutic Massage –
A deep massage that aims to relieve tension, pain, and muscular contractions. It promotes intense relaxation and general physical wellbeing.

– Acupuncture –
Acupuncture is an ancient therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine. It consists of the insertion of very fine needles into specific parts of the body in order to regulate and harmonise the body through the circulation of vital energy (qi) and blood (xue). Acupuncture stimulates the release of several chemical substances in the body, which produce a calming, analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory effect. The World Health Organisation recommends acupuncture for the treatment of more than 40 diseases. At New Life, Joana offers two types of 60-minute acupuncture sessions aimed at (1) relaxation / stress relief, and (2) physical recovery / relief of musculoskeletal pain.

Trained by the Portuguese Institute of Naturallogy in sports massage, relaxation, lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, tui na and foot reflexology. She also applies complementary techniques alongside massage, such as auriculotherapy, suction cups, moxa, aromatherapy and Snoezelen. Mariana believes in the healing power of relaxation through touch, the body communicates and she likes to create space to listen to it and see how people’s rhythm changes when they allow themselves to enjoy a massage.

Carina has been a massage therapist since 2016, specialized in Deep Tissue Massage, also known as sports massage.
She has been an athlete since she was 5 years old, and so massage therapy and physiotherapy have always been an integral part of her life. From the love of sports, grew the love of human kinetics and human physiology. Her goals as a therapist are to help improve the clients’ quality of life, promote relaxation and a healthy lifestyle, and at the same time try to decrease stress, tiredness, soreness and physical pain.

Cristiano is the New Life Portugal’s Guest Services Manager. Born in Seia and passionate about the Serra da Estrela, his goal has always been to stay in the area and help in its development. It was therefore with great pleasure that he discovered that a New Life centre was being established in Folgosinho. He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its growth. With more than five years of experience in the hotel business, Cristiano’s main focus is the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of New Life Portugal’s guests. He is a positive person and is always available to listen and help.

Born and raised in Gouveia, a small and local city located in the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela.
She has a degree, finished in 2018, in Tourism and Leisure taken in Escola Superior deTurismo e Hotelaria located in Seia, another local city. She always worked in hotelary as a receptionist in 5 and 4 stars hotels in the countryside of Portugal. She loves nature and the mountain landscape, the sunsets are her favourite part of the day, she loves to listen to music and read. She is passionate about constant learning.

One of her main goals is to travel around the world and know the heritage of our ancestors. For her, work in New Life has been a wonderful and life changing experience with the opportunity to know different cultures and different ways of thinking. All her knowledge contributes to her kind and friendly way of dealing with guests.

João is a young man who has been passionate about hospitality and serving well for as long as he can remember. From a very young age he became involved in the area and developed a passion for it. With studies in the Tourism School of Seia, and with a great desire to interact and help others, he found in the project of New Life Portugal a great combination with his studies and his passion for hospitality.

He will always be willing to help and assist the guests. His greatest achievement at the end of a day’s work is a smile of satisfaction and happiness on the other side.

Born and raised in Lisbon,  at the age of 20, he made the decision to relocate to Seia, driven by a desire to escape the urban stress. He is currently pursuing a degree in Hotel Management. His internship at New Life Portugal in 2023 provided him with valuable experience, and he subsequently returned in 2024 to assume the role of a receptionist. Eduardo harbors a deep passion for hospitality, culinary arts, and sports, and he is committed to providing exceptional service.

Patrícia, originally from Lisbon, brings care expertise and housekeeping experience to New Life Portugal. After working in London for several years, where she honed her adaptability, Patrícia returned to Portugal last summer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, capturing moments through photography, whipping up healthy meals, and exploring nature.

Vasco is the driver at New Life Portugal. Born in Porto and raised in Gouveia, he appreciates  all the surroundings of the Natural Park and its history. Vasco is a freelance musician that studied  classical music in Beira-Interior’s professional arts school in Covilhã, jazz music in Coimbra’s music  conservatory and is currently studying jazz in Porto’s jazz school. He has experience dealing with the public,  having worked in several restaurants/camping sites/caffe-shops over the years.
Regarding hobbies, Vasco likes  skating and snowboarding as well as photography and reading books.

Always eager to learn more about life and overcome its challenges, he will receive you with a smile and good mood.

It brings Ana great joy to care for the gardens and the farm at New Life Portugal. Raised in the Alentejo region of Portugal, she graduated with a degree in Agronomy from the Universidade de Évora in 2015.
Her passion for nature and all living things led her to specialise in Organic Agriculture at the Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra in 2020.
She is currently studying Veterinary Nursing at Escola Superior Agrária de Viseu having also professional experience in agriculture, customer service, healthcare, and veterinary care.

Ana’s goal is to contribute to the sustainability of New Life Portugal and make a difference in the conservation of ecosystems.
She forms a strong connection to the environment through exploring, listening and learning all the interactions around. In this way she hopes to build and share her knowledge of the rich ecosystem that surrounds us.
Ana loves animals, music, dance, hiking, photography, bricolage, handicrafts, and gardening.
Always ready to help, it will be a pleasure for her to guide you in various nature-based activities at New Life Portugal.

Sebastien works as Farmer at New Life Portugal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration and has worked for more than twenty years in the fields of real estate and economics. He also has extensive experience in the hotel industries in Belgium and St Barth, and in caretaking and building maintenance in Malta.

A certified teacher of yoga, as well as a hypnotherapist, Reiki master/teacher, and ABET (energy) practitioner, Sebastien volunteered for more than three years at New Life Thailand. At the foundation, he gained experience in many different departments and teams, from therapy to agriculture to administration.

Sebastien is originally a native of Antwerp, but has lived and worked in many different countries, including Belgium, Thailand, Luxembourg, St Barth, and Malta. He speaks fluent French, Dutch, and English. He loves to help people and his passions are trekking, running, and various other sports. In 2020, he walked the Camino de Santiago from Lisbon. He is always happy to work together with our guests on the farm as well as to lead outdoor activities in the region.

Hugo is a 35 years old man, born in Rio Torto, municipality of Gouveia. Since he was a Little boy, he has always a open mind to acquire knowledge in several different areas, as he says: “I always liked to know a Little bit about everything.” and today he is a maintenance technician at New life Portugal. He values safety and proper functioning of the New life community. He is a helpful person da and friendly, and always ready to help others.

Carlos, hailing from Serra da Estrela, developed a deep appreciation for the region’s local products, and he endeavors to incorporate them into his daily culinary creations, mindful of their seasonality.

Possessing diverse technical training, Carlos has garnered extensive work experience both in Portugal and abroad. His professional journey includes several years with the renowned Portuguese hotel chain Vila Galé and a stint at the Hotel Napoleon in France. Prepared to lead the team in crafting nutritious and flavorful meals, our Chef, brimming with creativity, is poised to add delightful nuances to your culinary experience.

Some of César’s favourite childhood memories are of helping his grandmother in the kitchen. She was an excellent cook, and these joyful times awakened his love for gastronomy from a very young age. César went on to attain a degree in Food, Beverage, and Catering before joining our staff as a cook. Being part of the New Life Portugal team is different from anything else César has done in the hospitality field. He embraces this new experience and strives to be an asset to the New Life kitchen team through his culinary creativity and his commitment to delighting New Life’s guests and his colleagues with his food.

Ana was born and raised in Barcelos, in the north of Portugal, and has a great love for her city of birth. Yet, she always knew that her destiny lay elsewhere. She went to university to pursue her passion for cooking, and graduated with a degree in Food, Beverage, and Catering from Seia. Afterwards, Ana decided to stay in the region and join the New Life Portugal team. She believes that the art of gastronomy is about capturing feelings in every bite, and hopes to convey her love of creating beautiful cuisine to everyone who tastes her dishes.

Born in Linhares da Beira, land she is so proud of and loves so much. Since she was a child she has been surrounded by friends and family who enjoy savoring and delighting every bite! She took a course in cooking and pastry making, then worked for 7 years in a restaurant where the concept was traditional food, “food of our grandmothers” but improving it by  giving her personal touch and gourmet style. Today, she joins the New Life Portugal team to continue to work on the flavors of food and learn to work with vegetables and legumes from the region,with the goal of  satisfying all those who taste her food.”

Born and raised in a village in the Serra da Estrela, from a certain point on he always knew that his destiny would be far from his home village, so he decided to emigrate to Switzerland after finishing his studies. In Switzerland Hugo learned all his love for cooking and worked for many years in the kitchen improving his skills.

In recent years he decided to return to his home village and joined the New Life Portugal team, hoping to transmit his love for cooking to everyone.

Meet David, an 18-year-old resident of the neighboring village, Figueiró da Serra. At the tender age of 17, David embarked on a journey with New Life Portugal, driven by his aspirations to kickstart his career, achieve independence, and confront life’s myriad challenges.

While David continues to explore his passions and purpose, it was with New Life that he first discovered the joy of culinary arts, igniting a newfound love for cooking. Following his initial studies, David found a calling in ensuring the safety of our premises, transitioning into the role of a dedicated night vigilant. Through his evolving path, New Life has been a guiding force, empowering David to embrace his potential and carve out his place in the world.

Luís is the Managing Director at New Life Portugal. Born and raised in Seia, he is passionate about his hometown and the surrounding mountains. Luís graduated from the fields of Sports Science, Physical Education, Personal Training, and Hotel Management. Five years ago, he founded an outdoor activity tourism company, showing the best of the region to visitors.

In addition to his tourism business, Luís has worked in the hospitality industry for the past three years at exclusive hotels and resorts in the mountains. Luís also brings to his role at New Life Portugal more than five years of experience in the health and fitness industry, having worked as a group class instructor and personal trainer creating personalized programs for health improvement.

Detail-oriented, a problem solver, and focused on offering a great guest experience, Luís is always happy to meet new people and talk about the region and his personal story. He loves helping others and making a difference in the world. His hobbies are traveling, snowboarding, hiking, and nature photography.

Maria is the Chief Financial Officer at New Life Portugal. Maria has a background in accounting and taxation and her responsibilities include daily accounting, producing financial reports, and supporting the financial sustainability of the centre. A local resident of Gouveia, Maria has personally experienced the importance of nurturing mental and emotional health in the wider community and is very happy to be working with New Life Portugal to achieve its goals.