Hernando Fereira, clinical intern

My name is Hernando Fereira, and I am a current M.A. in Counseling student at Northwestern University. Before this, I studied biology with a focus on computational neuroscience at the University of Chicago, eventually working in labs across various fields, including Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, and most recently brain-machine interfaces for prosthesis. During that time, I deepened my interest in both the brain as an organ, and the mind as an emergent phenomenon at the intersection of culture and biology.

Outside the therapy space, I am interested in two things in my work: uplifting those who are most affected by unjust systems, and the power of metaphor to deepen our self-understanding and enrich our lives with meaning.

To that end, I welcome and support clients of all faiths, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic or national identities, sexual orientations, or gender identities. More than that, I advocate on behalf of voices often silenced in the mental health community, especially those belonging to trans women of color, those facing housing insecurity, those with disabilities, and those with substance use disorders.

My wide-reaching academic and professional background is reflected in my eclectic approach to therapy. In my work, I use psychodynamic theories with modern frameworks that prioritize a client’s subjective cultural experience and critique systems of power. Alongside this focus, I prioritize my client’s self-determination. Each client is unique, and I believe that the best way to work toward healthier living is through cooperation in the selection of the therapies and interventions that most resonate with my clients. I am adaptable and always willing to learn together with my client if it helps them on their journey.

With this combination of approaches, together we can make sense of your story and how it fits into the larger narrative of the world around us. Through this work, I want to help you find the personal meaning of your life and in doing so hope to cultivate a healthy sense of self that will empower you to live the life you want to lead.
 

*Clinical Interns are under the supervision of their respective academic institutions as well as the supervision of one of our Fully licensed therapists. *