Hello, I'm Darío García
My name is Darío, with a solid background in Psychology from the University of La Laguna, and I am registered under number T-03816. At La Palma Psicología, I am dedicated to weaving new opportunities for mental well-being, offering a sanctuary for individual and collective transformation. I approach each story with reverence, promising you empathetic support on a journey of rediscovery and narrative empowerment.
A decade in psychological practice, reinforced by a Master’s in Narrative Therapy and Community Work from the University of Extremadura, has sharpened my focus on restoring individual stories and community connection. My experience in the UK, ranging from home-based therapy to the management of specialized centers, has enriched my understanding that every mind harbors unexplored worlds. Back in La Palma, I have realized the dream of opening a center where narrative techniques are applied to facilitate healing and growth.
In my practice, I offer a spectrum of psychological services that synchronize with the pulse of human needs, including family therapy, couples therapy, individual therapy, and support for grief, trauma, addictions, and complex illnesses. My specialty lies in social clinical work and crisis response, offering a safe harbor in the storm of mental health, emergencies, discrimination, and challenges of functional diversity.
My methodology is inspired by the transformative legacy of Michael White and David Epston. Each session is a sacred place to unravel the narratives that constrict and together forge stories that free and expand self-perception. This therapeutic process demonstrates that each being is a narrative in constant evolution, with infinite possibilities for reinvention.
Through collaborative dialogue, we explore the strength of the problem in your life and the tactics it uses to influence it, and then we reconstruct an alternative narrative that offers broader and more constructive interpretations of your being and past experiences.
I have guided countless individuals in their transformation, collaborating with organizations from various fields. My skills include a range of specialized interventions, from personalized care to positive behavioral management and support for autism and intellectual disabilities.
With a firm commitment to the diversity of life experiences, I provide flexible and accessible psychological care, in-person, home-based, and online. I continue my community commitment with the Fuencaliente City Council, weaving a stronger and more resilient support network.
Welcome to La Palma Psicología, a place where every story is treasured and celebrated. Here, together, we will navigate the depths of your being, guided by narrative practices, toward a future of mental health and meaning.
Professional Experience
Throughout my more than 10 years of experience, I have had the pleasure of accompanying various individuals, groups, and families on their journey of personal change. In this regard, my professional practice has developed between the United Kingdom and Spain, where I have worked in various NGOs, public and private companies.
KNOWLEDGE
- Person-Centered Approach
- Primary Mental Health Care
- Positive Behavioral Support
- Autism and Intellectual Disability
- Self-esteem and Personal Change
- Social Consulting
- Coaching
- Project Management and Leadership
- Program Evaluation
- Train the Trainer
- Addiction Intervention
- Affective-Sexual Intervention
- Special Educational Needs
- Forensic Psychology
- Brief Psychotherapy and Counseling
- Relaxation Techniques
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Affirmative Therapy for LGBTIQ individuals
- Narrative Therapy
Since May 2021 — Currently. Autonomous Psychologist at La Palma Psicología, La Polvacera. Home-based, face to face, and online psychological care.
Since March 2021 — Currently. Psychologist in the Children and Family Team at the Fuencaliente City Council (half-time), La Palma. Psychological care for minors, families, and the elderly. Preparation of psychosocial reports and community prevention projects. Management of grants and financial justifications.
July 2021 — March 2021. Psychologist at the Tazacorte City Council, La Palma. Community intervention in drug addiction, gender violence, grief, mental health problems, chronic diseases, and behavioral problems.
March 2021 — July 2021. Psychologist at the Excmo. Cabildo Insular de La Palma, Santa Cruz de La Palma. Individual and group psychological care for women survivors of gender violence, report writing, conducting paired interviews, tertiary prevention.
July 2020 — March 2021. Director of a Residence for People with Functional Diversity at The Gables, Dorset, United Kingdom. Responsible for the operational and organizational management of the residence for people with functional and intellectual diversity, managing 15 employees and serving 8 service users.
June 2018 — July 2020. Director of Social and Community Projects at Centre 404, London, United Kingdom. Responsible for the operational and organizational management of 2 residences for people with functional and intellectual diversity, managing 30 employees and serving 12 service users.
November 2017 — June 2018. Assistant Psychologist at Community Housing and Therapy, London, United Kingdom. Facilitating therapeutic groups and individual sessions with people with mental health issues. Administrative tasks, report writing. Acting as the duty manager when they are not working.
May 2015 — November 2017. Assistant Behavioral Therapist at Dimensions, London, United Kingdom. Home-based intervention with individuals with autism following the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Positive Behavioral Support.
April 2014 — April 2015. Caregiver at CareTech, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Coordinating and monitoring the well-being of residents. Development and review of individualized plans.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, University of La Laguna. July 2007 — July 2012
- Master’s in Narrative Therapy and Community Work, University of Extremadura. June 2021 — September 2022
- Master’s in Social and Community Intervention, University of La Laguna. July 2012 — July 2013
- Expert in Crisis Intervention, Emergencies, and Disasters, European Institute of Training and Consulting. February 2012 — June 2021
- Master’s in Gender Violence, European Institute of Training and Consulting. November 2011 — November 2012
- Expert in the prevention of psychosocial risks in work and organizations, CODEX. February 2011 — September 2011
- Expert in forensic psychology, Aaron Beck Psychology Center. August 2010 — January 2011
- Specialization in Forensic Psychological Assessment, conducted in-person between September 29, 2011, and March 31, 2012, by ANRIMAC, 145 hours.
Additional Training
- Workshop “Weaving the Somatic, Emotions, and Stories”, conducted by Ian Percy at the 1st Iberian Congress of Narrative Therapy in Portugal. September 2023.
- Level 3 Award in Education & Training, RQF, Ofqual and Training Qualifications UK. January 2021.
- Care for Adults with Late-diagnosed Phenylketonuria. The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, United Kingdom. September 2019.
- Sexual Relationships and Education for People with Disabilities. Lightley Consulting. July 2019.
- Project Fundamentals Qualifications, (PFQ), Association for Project Management (APM). December 2018.
- Active Support. ARC England. December 2018.
- End-of-Life Planning. Gentle Dusk, United Kingdom. November 2018.
- Creation and Use of Visual Resources for Communication. Camden Learning Disability Service and Islington Learning Disability Partnership. October 2018.
- Dysphagia. Camden Learning Disability Service and Islington Learning Disability Partnership. October 2018.
- Intensive Interaction and Multisensory Interaction. Camden Learning Disability Service and Islington Learning Disability Partnership. September 2018.
- Special Educational Needs (SEN) – Advanced Level 4. ABC Awards and Online Academies. September 2015.
- Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention in People with Disabilities. Anti-Bullying Alliance. August 2015.
- Relaxation Techniques. Training Without Barriers. February 2013.
- High Abilities in School Contexts. RECREAS. September 2010.
- High Abilities and Their Family Environment. RECREAS. September 2010.
- Overview of Intelligence and High Abilities. RECREAS. September 2010.
- Brief Psychotherapy and Counseling. CAMPUS DIGITAL. July 2010.
- Primary Care in Mental Health, Carpe Diem training center accredited by ESSSCAN. April 2010.
- Intervention in Affective Sexual Matters, University of La Laguna. March 2010.
Volunteering
- Psychologist at the Youth Cooperation Association “San Miguel”. October 2012 – May 2013: “Evaluation of the Criteria for Therapeutic Discharge in Mental Health Professionals” Project.
- Psychologist at YEMAYA Educational Centre. October 2011 – June 2012: Intervention with minors with developmental difficulties, workshops for parents and children with disorders, intervention in the psychosocial area, attention to psychosocial difficulties, family case studies (Children-Adults).
- Collaborator at the Association of Relatives of Prisoners and Friends of Tenerife (AFAPRETE). January 2009 – January 2010.
- Collaborator at the High Ability Research Group (PIPAC), University of La Laguna. January 2008 – January 2009.
Conference Communications
- García Rodríguez, D. (2023, September 28). Invitations to Change with Men who Commit Violence Against Women: Main Discoveries. [Conference Session]. 1st Iberian Congress of Narrative Therapy and 9th AETEN Meeting, Porto, Portugal.
- García Rodríguez, D. (2023, September 28). Life as a Puzzle: Expanding the Alternative Stories to the Dominant Problem. [Conference Session]. 1st Iberian Congress of Narrative Therapy and 9th AETEN Meeting, Porto, Portugal.
- García Rodríguez, D. (2023, September 29). Are Meta-Analyses on Heterosexual Men Exercising Violence Against Their Partners Reliable? A Critical Reading from Narrative Practices. [Conference Session]. 1st Iberian Congress of Narrative Therapy and 9th AETEN Meeting, Porto, Portugal.
Publications
- Martínez Torvisco, J., & García Rodríguez, D. (2017). New Perspectives in Internet Addiction: an Exploratory Study, Studi di sociologia, 217-230.
- Gaos Meizoso, M.T., & García Rodríguez, D. (2013, June). Gender Differences in Internet Addiction. Communication presented at the 6th International and 11th National Congress of Clinical Psychology, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Gaos Meizoso, M.T., & García Rodríguez, D. (2013, June). An Instrument for the Assessment of Internet Addiction. Communication presented at the 6th International and 11th National Congress of Clinical Psychology, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- García Rodríguez, D., & Sánchez Rodríguez, L. (2013, May). An Instrument for the Evaluation of Cyberbullying. Communication presented at the 2nd International Congress: Prevention and Treatment of Violence, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- García Rodríguez, D., & Sánchez Rodríguez, L. (2013, May). Identification of Factors Associated with Cyberbullying. Communication presented at the 2nd International Congress: Prevention and Treatment of Violence, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- García Rodríguez, D., & Sánchez Rodríguez, L. (2013, May). Differential Characteristics in Victims of Cyberbullying. Communication presented at the 2nd International Congress: Prevention and Treatment of Violence, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- García Rodríguez, D. (2013). Pilot Study: Homophobia around Gender. Contributions to Social Sciences (01).
- García Rodríguez, D. (2012). Ethics, a Break from the Dichotomous Debate between Basic and Applied Science. Contributions to Social Sciences (12).
Conference Attendance
- 1st Iberian Congress of Narrative Therapy and 9th AETEN Meeting, held on September 28, 29, and 30 in Porto, Portugal.
- 1st Ibero-American Congress of Narrative Practice – cultural melting pot: de-colonizing narrative practices, held on June 30, July 1 and 2, 2022, in Valencia, Spain.
- Addictions Symposium held on November 7 and 8, 2012 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- Anxiety and Depression Symposium held on October 9 and 10, 2012 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- 5th International and 10th National Congress of Clinical Psychology, held on April 26, 27, and 28, 2012 in Santander, Spain.
- 8th International Congress on Migrations, Causes and Consequences held from November 3 to 23, 2011 in Granada, Spain.
- 2nd International Symposium on Criminology, Crime and Psychology, held on October 26, 27, 28, 2011, in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- Latin American Congress of Legal and Forensic Psychology V.7.0. held online from November 28 to 30, 2010.
- European Congress: Advances in the Treatments of Anxiety and Depression, held on December 1, 2, and 3, 2010 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- International Symposium “Violence in the Family Environment and Drug Use”, held on May 13 and 14, 2010 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
- Latin American Congress of Legal and Forensic Psychology V.6.0. held online from November 28 to 30, 2009.
- Symposium of the Association of Motivation and Emotion (AME), held on May 7, 8, and 9, 2009, in Puerto de La Cruz, Spain.
- International Symposium “Criminology and Crime”: Areas of Application, Advances in Treatment, Perspectives in Prevention, held on October 9, 10, and 11, 2008 in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
