Pâmela Perez

Biography and Expertise of Pâmela Perez

Pâmela Perez has built a distinguished career in clinical psychology, community health, and the transformative arts. For over fifteen years, she has served as a psychologist at the renowned Instituto Municipal Nise da Silveira. This institution is celebrated for its humanistic approach to mental healthcare, a legacy that deeply informs her practice. Her work embodies a commitment to moving beyond conventional treatment models to embrace therapies that honor the whole person.

A key element of her expertise is Biodanza, a system of human integration created by Rolando Toro. Through music, movement, and group encounters, Biodanza promotes affective connection, emotional expression, and overall vitality. Pâmela Perez skillfully applies this modality in clinical settings, including the Psychosocial Care Center (CAPS) Clarice Lispector. This work directly aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems,” demonstrating a practical and successful model of incorporating a complementary practice into public mental health services. Therefore, her approach enriches the congress’s pillar of “Knowledge Diversity” by highlighting a unique therapeutic system rooted in Latin American traditions.

Beyond Biodanza, her role as a photographer and documentarian with the “Retratos da Saúde Mental” project adds another layer to her expertise. This initiative uses audiovisuals to capture the daily life and memory of the mental health community, giving voice to patients and professionals. This practice serves a therapeutic purpose, reinforcing identity and dignity. Consequently, the work of Pâmela Perez contributes powerfully to building “Well-being Societies,” a central theme of the congress, by fostering community, creativity, and a more compassionate vision of health.

Professional Career

The professional trajectory of Pâmela Perez reflects a deep commitment to public mental health, enriched by exploring integrative therapeutic approaches. Her career, founded in clinical psychology, has evolved to incorporate expressive arts and body-mind practices as tools for healing and social connection, integrating her skills into an impactful clinical practice.

Her long-term position with the Rio de Janeiro municipal government provides a unique platform to innovate and apply these methods where they are most needed. Her career path is an example of driving meaningful change within a large public health system.

• 2008 – Present: Mental Health Psychologist at Instituto Municipal de Assistência à Saúde Nise da Silveira, providing clinical care and developing programs within Rio de Janeiro’s public health network.
• 2018 – Present: Creator and coordinator of “Retratos da Saúde Mental,” an audiovisual project documenting experiences of the mental health community, humanizing patients and preserving institutional history.
• 2025 – Present: Official Biodanza Facilitator at IMAS Nise da Silveira and CAPS Clarice Lispector, leading group sessions for mental health service users as part of their care plan.
• 2015 – Present: Professional Photographer and Documentarian at Pâmela Perez Fotografia Estúdio, focusing on projects exploring human stories and social themes.
• 2023 – 2024: Completed a professional Biodanza internship at IMAS Nise da Silveira and Casa da Mulher Carioca Tia Doca, applying the methodology in diverse community settings.
• 1999 – Present: Maintains a private psychology practice, offering individual therapy and counseling.

Academic Qualifications

The academic background of Pâmela Perez provides the framework for her innovative clinical work. Her education began with a degree in psychology, later complemented with specialized training in psychoanalysis, deepening her understanding of human subjectivity. This clinical foundation was a crucial step for her expansion into integrative and body-based therapies.

Recognizing the limitations of verbal approaches, she pursued extensive training in Biodanza, achieving facilitator status and advanced specializations. This dual expertise in traditional psychology and integrative practices allows her to navigate complex clinical challenges with a holistic perspective. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and integrating diverse knowledge for her patients’ benefit.

• 2025: Master Specialization in Biodanza and Mental Health, a postgraduate course focused on adapting the Biodanza system for specific clinical populations.
• 2025: Advanced Training in Biodanza with Children and Adolescents, enabling her to apply the methodology to support developmental and emotional challenges in younger age groups.
• 2020 – 2024: Completed the comprehensive Biodanza Facilitator Training Program at the Escola de Biodanza Rio de Janeiro Sistema Rolando Toro, a multi-year, theoretical and practical program.
• 2000 – 2002: Pursued postgraduate training in Psychoanalysis at the Sociedade Brasileira de Estudos e Pesquisas sobre a Infância, focusing on early childhood development.
• 1994 – 1999: Earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Universidade Estácio de Sá, establishing her foundational knowledge in clinical psychology and therapeutic practices.

Contributions to Clinical Practice and Public Health

While not focused on traditional academic publications, the contributions of Pâmela Perez to the field are measured through her innovative clinical applications and community-based projects. Her work translates theoretical knowledge into tangible, impactful interventions that directly benefit service users within the public health system. She is a practitioner-innovator whose primary contribution is the development and implementation of integrative therapeutic models in real-world settings.

Her initiative, “Retratos da Saúde Mental,” functions as a living archive and a form of participatory action research. Through photography and filmmaking, she documents the lived experiences of individuals in mental health treatment, empowering them to construct their own narratives. This project challenges stigma and offers a qualitative, humanistic evidence base that complements traditional quantitative research. It underscores the importance of art and expression in the healing process, a principle central to the legacy of Nise da Silveira.

Furthermore, her systematic application of Biodanza at a Psychosocial Care Center represents a significant contribution to clinical practice. By integrating this TCIM modality, Pâmela Perez is effectively conducting practice-based research on its benefits for social skills, emotional regulation, and quality of life among individuals with severe mental health conditions. Her work generates invaluable practical knowledge about how to adapt and scale such interventions within institutional constraints, providing a replicable model for other health systems. Therefore, her contributions are essential for advancing the evidence-informed integration of TCIM into global public health.

Professional Affiliations and Community Engagement

Pâmela Perez actively participates in the professional community that supports and regulates her areas of practice, ensuring adherence to high ethical and technical standards. Her engagement with professional associations is a testament to her commitment to the responsible growth and dissemination of Biodanza and psychology. These affiliations provide a platform for continuous learning, peer supervision, and collaborative development within her field.

This involvement is crucial for the legitimacy and integration of complementary practices like Biodanza into mainstream healthcare. By connecting with a national body of facilitators, she contributes to a collective effort to build credibility and advocate for the profession. Her active role in these communities, therefore, strengthens the entire ecosystem of integrative health in Brazil.

• Member of ABRAÇA – Associação Brasileira de Facilitadores de Biodanza: As a member of the Brazilian Association of Biodanza Facilitators, she is part of a national network dedicated to upholding the methodological rigor of the Rolando Toro System, promoting scientific research, and expanding the professional practice of Biodanza in diverse sectors, including health, education, and social work.
• Registered Psychologist with the Regional Council of Psychology (CRP-RJ): She maintains her professional license and adheres to the ethical code and standards of practice established by the governing body for psychologists in Rio de Janeiro.

Connect with Pâmela Perez

To explore the creative and therapeutic work of Pâmela Perez further, you can visit her professional photography portfolio and follow her dedicated Biodanza social media presence. These platforms offer a deeper look into her unique integration of art, psychology, and holistic well-being.

Professional Photography Website: View Photography Portfolio

Instagram (Biodanza): @amobiodanza