Anita Santos

Anita Santos is Associate Professor at University of Maia and a full member of the Center of Psychology at the University of Porto (CPUP). She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology (2008) and Degree in Psychology (2003), both from University of Minho, and is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Clinical and Health Psychology.

Her research spans three interconnected domains: depression treatment processes, intimate partner violence intervention, and digital mental health solutions. She employs network analysis approaches to understand anxiety and depression, conducts randomized clinical trials for cognitive-behavioral treatments, and develops technology-assisted interventions including the SafeCheck App for IPV risk assessment.

Dr. Santos has secured substantial research funding through 13 documented projects with Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, EEA Grants, and gender-focused initiatives. Her recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong output in high-impact journals focusing on trauma-informed care, technology-facilitated violence, and mental health in forensic populations.

She actively supervises four PhD candidates with fellowship grants and numerous Master's students in Clinical and Forensic Psychology programs. Her work bridges clinical practice, research, and policy development, particularly in Portuguese mental health and domestic violence contexts.