Clinic Evolve logo
I’m a psychoanalyst from the USA

Transform your Mindset & Achieve your Goals.

Amazing therapies and advice to help you achieve your goals and taking important decisions of your life.

Your journey to a healthier and more fulfilling life starts here.

Let’s talk. Schedule your first session.

I’m a psychoanalyst from the USA

Better Advice for Healthy & Happier Relationships.

Mental Health is a major concern nowadays, which can end up affecting relations & giving diseases.

A happier relationship begins with mental well-being.

Let’s talk. Schedule your first session.

Psychoanalysis that transforms lives

Ready to start your healing journey?

Whether anxiety, trauma, Visual Snow Syndrome or emotional pain.

You are not alone!

Let’s talk. Schedule your first session.

Psicanalista

PAULA BAPTISTA HECHINGER

Clinical Psychoanalyst

Psicóloga
Photo of Psychoanalyst Paula Herchinger

LET ME INTRODUCE

I’m Dr. Paula Hechinger – Expert Psychoanalyst

I am a mother of two autistic boys, the greatest blessing God could have ever given me. They are my daily inspiration, the reason I truly understand, in both body and soul, the value of unconditional love, patience, devotion, and the silent struggle of so many mothers who live similar realities. Each of their achievements is my victory, and through them, I have learned that true love is the kind that gives without measure, sees beyond differences, and blossoms even amidst the greatest challenges.

I am a woman, a friend, a mother, a daughter, and a psychoanalyst. But above all, I am human. It is within this humanity, nurtured by empathy, that I find the ability to deeply feel another’s pain, to dive into stories that are often difficult to even say out loud, and to offer my patients what they don’t always know they need. I don’t just look at my patients, I truly see them. Every glance, every word, every silence carries a unique meaning, and it is my mission to embrace all of it with love, respect, and devotion. I love with intensity, give wholeheartedly, respect with my heart, and admire the courage every person shows when they seek therapy and allow themselves to undergo the process of metamorphosis.

My vocation for caring for people was born early. At the age of 14, I had my first contact with the mental health field while working in an orphanage. There, I understood that every story deserves to be heard and every pain needs a safe space to exist. Since then, my life has been dedicated to offering emotional support and transformation to everyone who crosses my path.

My journey has been marked by profound experiences in different contexts: rehabilitation centers for people struggling with chemical dependency, nursing homes, palliative care hospitals, support groups for women who were victims of abusive relationships with narcissists, as well as helping individuals battling sexual addictions such as pornography. My practice goes beyond the office, it is built on real-life experiences, where pain is tangible, and hope is a daily construction.

My vocation for caring for people was born early. At the age of 14, I had my first contact with the mental health field while working in an orphanage. There, I understood that every story deserves to be heard and every pain needs a safe space to exist. Since then, my life has been dedicated to offering emotional support and transformation to everyone who crosses my path.

My journey has been marked by profound experiences in different contexts: rehabilitation centers for people struggling with chemical dependency, nursing homes, palliative care hospitals, support groups for women who were victims of abusive relationships with narcissists, as well as helping individuals battling sexual addictions such as pornography. My practice goes beyond the office, it is built on real-life experiences, where pain is tangible, and hope is a daily construction.

My own story is also marked by challenges, losses, and pains that have taught me resilience, forgiveness, acceptance, adaptation, and change. Visual snow syndrome is one of these marks, an obstacle that led me to see life from a new perspective and deeply understand the silent struggle of those who face difficulties invisible to others. All of this allows me to practice psychoanalysis not only with technical knowledge but with my soul, recognizing human suffering in its most genuine form.

Today, I work in the treatment of visual snow syndrome, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, couples therapy, and various other emotional issues. I believe that mental health is a continuous process of transformation — a courageous movement of letting go of the past, healing inner wounds, and allowing oneself to live a lighter, fuller, and truer life.

Before dedicating myself exclusively to clinical practice, I lived another passion: I was a chef in the United States. This experience taught me discipline, creativity, and, most importantly, human connection — skills I now bring to every session because I believe therapy is also an art, crafted with care, sensitivity, and presence.

My purpose is to be an instrument of healing and relief, helping each person rediscover their inner balance, strengthen their mind, and uncover new ways to live fully. Allow yourself to change. Embrace your metamorphosis.

MY PRACTICE

Personal & Individual therapy sessions.

Know Yourself

The psychoanalytic process promotes self-knowledge by allowing the patient to come into contact with repressed desires and emotions, developing healthier ways of dealing with them.

Improved Mental Health

Just like physical health, mental health needs to be monitored. Psychoanalysis is recommended not only for those with clinical issues but for anyone seeking balance and well-being.

Renew Behaviors

One of the stages of therapy is to recognize unconscious patterns that affect the patient's daily life, enabling them to understand their origins and promote positive changes in their way of feeling and acting.

Understanding the Subconscious

Understanding the messages your subconscious sends through dreams, daily associations, and behaviors helps interpret inner conflicts and promotes self-knowledge.

VISUAL SNOW

My personal experience with VSS

Image related to visual snow text

In 2016, while pregnant, my life changed in ways I never expected. That was the year I was truly confronted with the impact of Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)—a condition I had never heard of but which came to define and challenge every aspect of my daily life.

Before pregnancy, there were subtle signs: strange body stiffness, dizziness episodes, and what I can only describe as internal tremors—a strange vibration inside me that I strongly believe is linked to VSS, even if not officially recognized. My tinnitus began at full force. But once I became pregnant, it was as if a switch had been flipped: all the classic VSS symptoms appeared at once.

The visual static became impossible to ignore. I saw afterimages, light sensitivity, trails, and constant flickering. My world was no longer clear—it was covered in chaos from which I couldn’t escape. And yet, I could do nothing about it because I was pregnant. Diagnostic exams were limited. I was terrified, confused, and physically debilitated. I didn’t know what was happening to my body, and no one around me seemed to know either.

After my child was born, things didn’t improve. They got worse. Doctors ran test after test: lumbar punctures, MRIs, eye exams, neurological evaluations. The suspicion was Multiple Sclerosis or another degenerative disease. But every test came back normal. The relief of a normal result was immediately replaced by something scarier: being dismissed.

I began to rebuild myself. Slowly, I came to understand my condition. I found others with similar experiences. I realized what I had was not a mental health crisis but a neurological condition: Visual Snow Syndrome. And I was not alone.

SPECIALTIES

How can I help you?

Psychology specialties
TraumaTraumaTrauma is a mark carried by the body and mind, often without words to express it. It may arise from experiences of violence, loss, neglect, or unexpected events. In psychoanalysis, I provide a safe space for patients to voice the unspeakable, reframe painful memories, and rebuild their stories without trauma being the sole protagonist.
DepressionDepressionDepression is not just sadness, it is a deep paralysis, an emptiness that drains energy and meaning. In my practice, I welcome patients without judgment, helping them understand the unconscious roots of their suffering. The psychoanalytic process restores desire, strengthens self-esteem, and opens new ways to reconnect with life.
Emotional PainEmotional PainEmotional pain can be silent but weighs as much as physical pain. Disappointments, insecurities, losses, inner conflicts, and loneliness can severely impact mental health. I offer a space for listening and working through these experiences, enabling new perspectives and strengthening resilience.
AnxietyAnxietyAnxiety is one of the most common symptoms today, showing up as constant worry, panic attacks, or feeling permanently on alert. In therapy, I help patients identify their triggers, understand unconscious processes, and develop internal resources to live with more balance and calm.
Sexual Addictions and PornographySexual Addictions and PornographySexual addictions and pornography dependence are complex ways of dealing with emotions and unmet needs. In clinical work, I seek to help individuals and families recognize the roots of this compulsion, face its challenges, and reframe their experiences, fostering healthier bonds and a freer, more balanced sexual life.
AutismAutismAutism is a unique way of being in the world. As a mother of autistic children, I understand both the challenges and strengths of this condition. In my practice, I support families and individuals in recognizing the value of uniqueness, developing strategies to face difficulties, while highlighting intelligence, creativity, and the special way autistic people perceive life.
Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS)Visual Snow Syndrome is an invisible neurological condition that affects not only vision but also the body and emotions. Having experienced it myself, I deeply understand its complexity: fatigue, associated anxiety, and social impact. This personal knowledge gives me both authority and empathy to guide patients facing VSS or other invisible illnesses.

EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCE: HOW TO BREAK TOXIC BONDS AND REGAIN YOUR FREEDOM

Practical guide to emotional freedom

Cover of the book Emotional Dependence
Emotional dependence can be a silent, devastating cycle. Often, we create bonds with people or situations that make us vulnerable, forgetting who we are and our true worth. This guide was designed to help you identify these patterns, understand their origins, and most importantly, find the path to your emotional freedom.

In this eBook, you will discover:

• What emotional dependence is and how it shows up in daily life.
• The deep causes behind the need for external approval or validation.
• Practical strategies to break free from toxic behaviors and build healthy boundaries.
• Self-knowledge techniques to strengthen your self-esteem and reclaim your identity.
• Steps to build balanced relationships based on respect and reciprocity.

This is not just a manual; it is an invitation to a transformative journey. With real examples, practical exercises, and powerful insights, you will realize the key to freeing yourself from toxic relationships is within you.

Reviews from those who have lived this experience

Carolini Rakoff
“The best professional I’ve ever met. I’m her patient and I recommend her to everyone. Excellent at what she does!”
Carolini Rakoff

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ask questions about therapy

I offer psychoanalytic therapy in Portuguese and English. My approach is based on deep listening, emotional safety, and the analysis of unconscious patterns affecting your life.

I work with adults from diverse backgrounds facing anxiety, depression, emotional trauma, abandonment wounds, and psychosomatic symptoms such as Visual Snow Syndrome.

Yes, I primarily work online through secure video calls. That way, you can have therapy from anywhere in the world.

Sessions last approximately 60 minutes, once or twice a week depending on each patient’s needs.

Just click the “Book Appointment” button or send me a message. I will respond with available times and next steps.

Clinic Evolve | Psychoanalysis, Psychotherapy and Mental Health