Senior Life Transitions Coach & Content Director
With 16 years of experience supporting adults navigating major life transitions in Portugal, Sofia helps people over 45 build emotional resilience, rediscover their passions, and find meaningful community connections during their most transformative years.
People supported through coaching and workshops
Years of professional experience
Published articles on emotional resilience
Active community support chapters across Portugal
Formal training and recognized credentials that ground Sofia's approach in evidence-based practice
Universidade de Lisboa
Completed 2008. Specialized in clinical psychology with focus on adult development and life transitions.
Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada (ISPA)
Advanced certification program focusing on meaning-making and identity work during major life transitions.
International Coach Federation (ICF)
Accredited professional coach with specialized certification in adult transitions and resilience coaching.
Portuguese Association of Counselors
Licensed professional counselor with expertise in community-based mental health and social integration programs.
Sofia's path into life transitions work wasn't planned from the beginning. It started with her mother's experience. When her mother went through a major career change at 48, Sofia watched someone she loved struggle without proper support or guidance. That moment sparked a question: why weren't there better resources for people navigating this phase of life?
Graduated from Universidade de Lisboa with a Master's in Psychology, ready to apply her learning to real-world problems.
Spent 7 years as a clinical counselor at Lisbon's largest mental health clinic. Here she developed her signature approach—combining cognitive behavioral techniques with narrative therapy to help people rewrite their life stories during times of major change.
Recognized a gap in Portuguese-language resources for midlife transitions. Started a community support network that grew to 12 active chapters across Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and other major Portuguese cities.
Leads development of evidence-based educational materials on life transitions, emotional resilience, and passion rediscovery. Has facilitated 200+ group workshops and authored 40+ articles on topics that matter to adults navigating change.
What drives Sofia most isn't the credentials or the numbers—it's that moment when someone stops seeing change as a crisis and starts seeing it as an opportunity. That shift from "this is happening to me" to "what can I become through this" is where real transformation happens. She's witnessed it thousands of times, and it never gets old.
Her core philosophy and what guides every piece of work she creates
Life transitions after 45 aren't losses to mourn. They're opportunities for authentic reinvention. Too many people treat major change as something that happened to them. Sofia helps shift that perspective—change is something you can actively shape and learn from.
You can't navigate life transitions alone. The research is clear—meaningful social connections are essential during times of change. That's why Sofia emphasizes building community support networks. She's seen what happens when people realize they're not the only ones going through this.
Resilience isn't something you're born with. It's a set of skills you can develop. Her programs teach specific, evidence-based techniques—not motivational speeches. Things that actually work when life gets hard.
Finding what brings you joy again isn't spontaneous—it requires intentional exploration. Sofia guides people through practical exercises to reconnect with what genuinely interests them, not what they think they should want.
"Life transitions after 45 aren't losses to mourn but opportunities for authentic reinvention. The moment someone shifts from viewing change as a crisis to seeing it as a catalyst for growth—that's when everything changes."
Her primary areas of expertise and the topics covered in her educational materials
Understanding what to expect during major life changes—whether it's career shifts, relationship changes, health concerns, or identity rediscovery. Sofia helps people anticipate challenges and navigate them with greater clarity.
Evidence-based tools and techniques that actually work. Her programs teach coping strategies, emotional regulation, and how to build mental strength through practical exercises—not just theory.
Helping adults find what brings them genuine joy again. Through guided exploration and practical exercises, people reconnect with authentic interests and build a life aligned with what truly matters to them.
Building meaningful social connections in Portuguese communities. Sofia understands the cultural context of life transitions in Portugal and helps people find and create supportive communities that feel authentic.
Helping people rewrite their life stories during transitions. Sofia combines cognitive behavioral techniques with narrative approaches to help adults construct new identities that feel authentic and meaningful.
Facilitating 200+ workshops across Portuguese cities. Sofia designs group experiences that create safe spaces for people to share, learn from each other, and build lasting connections with others navigating similar transitions.
The educational materials, articles, and programs she develops at olivant
In-depth articles covering topics like building emotional resilience during midlife transitions, managing anxiety about change, finding meaning in new phases of life, and practical techniques for coping with uncertainty.
Interactive workshops across Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and other Portuguese cities. Each workshop is designed around a specific transition challenge and includes practical exercises people can apply immediately.
Sofia founded and continues to support a network of community chapters where people navigating life transitions can connect, share experiences, and build lasting friendships with others who understand what they're going through.
One-on-one coaching relationships, group programs, and workshop participants. Each person receives guidance tailored to their specific transition and situation.
Explore her latest insights on life transitions, emotional resilience, and community support
Major life transitions after 45 often feel overwhelming because we don't see them coming. This article breaks down what actually happens during transitions—psychologically and emotionally—so you're not caught off guard.
Read ArticleYou can't navigate transitions alone. This article shows how to find, build, and maintain meaningful social connections in Portuguese communities—whether in Lisbon, Porto, or smaller cities.
Read ArticleAfter 45, it's easy to feel disconnected from what you love. This article includes practical exercises to reconnect with genuine interests and build a life around what actually matters to you.
Read ArticleWant to explore more of Sofia's work? Browse all articles on life transitions after 45.
Explore All ArticlesWhether you're interested in Sofia's coaching services, want to learn more about her programs, or have questions about life transitions, we're here to help.
Sofia and the team at olivant are here to support you. Whether you're just beginning a major life change or already in the middle of one, we've got resources, programs, and guidance tailored to where you are right now.
Get in touch to explore how we can help you navigate this transition with confidence and clarity.
Olivant Unipessoal Lda
Senior Life Transitions Coach & Content Director
Portugal (Lisbon, Porto, Algarve & nationwide)
