Becoming Myself

Hello, I’m Mariana!

I am deeply drawn to creativity, connection, and transformation — and becoming my true self was a journey.

Art has always been part of my life. I was drawn to the shapes that appeared on blank pages, the scent of paint, and the movement of brushes across canvas, bringing colour and life into being. Creativity felt natural to me; it was a language I understood instinctively and a way of relating to the world around me.

Alongside art, I have always been deeply interested in people. I loved listening to their stories, understanding what drove them, and discovering their dreams. Even then, I believed that when people are truly seen, heard, and supported, something powerful begins to unfold. I believed — and still believe — that each person carries far more potential than they realise, and that with the right tools, space, and guidance, meaningful transformation becomes possible.

Bringing these two passions together was not easy. I studied and worked in journalism in Portugal, my home country, and later travelled across Europe. My professional path led me through diplomacy, public relations, and social project management in several countries, until I eventually settled in Austria.

Along the way, I learned new languages, connected with people from diverse cultures, and listened to countless life stories. I got married and became the mother of two wonderful bilingual children. From the outside, my life appeared full — yet for a long time I felt that something was missing: colour, creativity, and a deeper sense of connection and meaning in what I did.

This realisation led me inward, towards self-discovery. I began exploring new paths for personal growth, discovering meditation, holotropic breathwork, and other transformative practices — until, by what felt like a coincidence (if coincidences truly exist), I found art therapy. In that moment, I knew I had found what I had been seeking.

Today, I am a psychosocial counsellour i.A.u.S. and a creative trainer certified by the Vienna Institute of Expressive Arts (MGT Institute). I dedicate my work to what matters most to me: creating, connecting, and supporting others in transforming their lives through workshops, individual sessions, and creative courses.

Paraphrasing C. G. Jung, through creation, we recreate ourselves.

If you feel this call to reconnect with yourself, to transform your life, and to become who you truly are, I invite you to book a session.
It would be a pleasure to meet you.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

George Bernhard Shaw