LAPH

Latin American Psychoanalytic Hub

the Barrio speaks!

LAPH

About us -

The Latin American Psychoanalytic Hub (LAPH) sprang to life from the minds and hearts of two friends, one from Brazil and the other from Chile, who met on UK soil. It was here, amidst the shared memories and a mutual longing for our homeland, that the idea for LAPH was born. Astonished by the realization that little was known on the other side of the Atlantic about the vibrant intellectual and cultural contributions from Latin America, we felt compelled to act.

Our aim with LAPH is to bridge this gap, to bring over, share, and translate the rich psychoanalytic traditions, the innovative thinking, and the creative expressions of Latin American analysts, writers, poets, and musicians. This project is, for us, a way to keep alive the traditions, innovations, and contributions of our homeland, and perhaps, a step towards de-colonization.

Being Latin American, in our view, encompasses yearning, feeling deeply, and sharing that passion with others. LAPH is our channel to distribute, share, and bring to life the vibrant contributions of Latin American psychoanalysts to the UK. We recognize psychoanalysis in Latin America as more than a therapeutic approach; it has become a lens through which life itself is understood, blending with the rich textures of Latin American culture, from the spices and flavors to the vibrant life of our barrios and communities.

This blend has fostered innovative and creative ways of being, and unique interpretations of the political world around us. LAPH is our heartfelt attempt to weave the rich tapestry of Latin American psychoanalytic thought into the broader fabric of global understanding. It's about much more than translating words; it's about conveying the essence of a culture that thrives on deep emotional connections, innovative thought, and a passionate engagement with life.

Macarena Hernández is a Clinical Psychologist currently pursuing an MPhil/PhD in Psychoanalytic Studies at University College London (UCL). She holds a Master of Science in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology from UCL/Anna Freud Centre and a Master's in Psychoanalytic Clinical Practice with Children and Adolescents from Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Chile.

She has experience in Parent-Infant Psychotherapy and in perinatal intervention with parents and their hospitalized babies. She worked as part of the welcoming team at Casa del Encuentro, a psychoanalytic and community device inspired by Maison Verte. Additionally, she works in private practice, lectures at Universidad Alberto Hurtado and Casa del Encuentro, and is also the founder of the Latin American Psychoanalytic Hub (LAPH). Macarena currently works supporting asylum seekers, their babies, and toddlers in the community.

Victoria Nicolodi is a qualified child and adolescent psychotherapist from the Independent Psychoanalytic Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Association (IPCAPA) and the Anna Freud Centre (AFC/UCL). In addition to her qualifications in the UK, she trained as a Clinical Psychologist in Brazil. She is also the founder of the Latin American Psychoanalytic Hub (LAPH).

Victoria has a deep interest in cultural and social structures and its interplay with psychoanalysis, which has led her to co-lead a series of seminars at the British Psychotherapy Foundation titled “Without Borders”. Over the years, Victoria's clinical practice has spanned across diverse therapeutic settings and currently, she works in the community by supporting adoptive parents and their toddlers and holds a position within the NHS working with care experienced children and young people.