About me

Marcela Borges – Lawyer, Mediator and Psychoanalyst 

Hello,

Before anything else, I appreciate you taking the time to seek support - you're not alone.

I’ve been navigating conflict since I was seven, growing up with divorced parents and naturally stepping into the role of mediator before I even knew what that meant. I still remember the tension, the constant arguments - the kind that stays with you. One day, I turned to my mom and said, ‘Why don’t you and Dad just get divorced? It has to be better than all this fighting.’

When I was 10, my parents’ divorce officially began. While they managed to agree on most things in court, it was a different story at home. My dad would tell me things about my mom that I shouldn’t have known, and my mom would say things about my dad that I didn’t want to hear. Only years later, during my Law degree, I understood that I could have been a victim of Parental Alienation. Caught in the middle, I realised how much kids absorb, how much words matter, and how conflict - if not handled well - can shape relationships forever.

Even before I completed my studies in law, I qualified as a Mediator and worked for a couple of years at the Federal Court in Brazil. The most memorable case I witnessed involved two women who had both been in a relationship with the same man, who now is deceased. They had to determine who would receive his pension. And guess what? They decided to split it equally. During the session, they openly acknowledged their polyamorous relationship, and I was pleasantly surprised by their honesty and mutual respect.

After earning my Law degree in Brazil in 2018, I had the opportunity to work on cases involving business dissolution, asset division, child custody, and even pet custody. At the time, I specialised in property law, believing it would equip me to handle these disputes. But I soon realised that when people fight over the "dishes," it’s never really about the dishes.

My experience representing couples in divorce cases and serving as a neutral mediator reinforced my belief in the power of mediation. I am passionate about making this tool accessible and affordable, offering couples a way to resolve conflicts while preserving their connection and fostering mutual respect.

When I moved to Australia in 2019, I was unable to work as a lawyer. However, I discovered my true passion for helping people have healthier conversations and find common ground, recognising that love is a fundamental human need.

That's when I studied Psychoanalysis. My counselling qualification is rooted not only in the traditional studies of Freud, Lacan, and other foundational authors but also embraces a holistic approach that incorporates body language, psychosomatic therapy, neuroscience, and integrative therapies such as NLP, Systemic Family Constellation, and Astrology.

I currently work as a mediator assessor and coach for the UWA NMAS Accreditation Training and Assessment. My journey in Psychoanalysis spans almost a decade of study and personal therapy, deepening my commitment to self-awareness and understanding others. As a lawyer, I am a partner at SB Inter, assisting people around the world with their bureaucratic issues in Brazil.

Well, I believe you know a little about me now, a dedicated Lawyer, Mediator and Psychoanalyst focused on amicable conflict resolution, especially for those who wish to strengthen their relationships rather than grow apart.

Inspired by Esther Perel’s approach to relationships, I believe that understanding each other is the key to resolving conflicts and maintaining meaningful connections. My goal is to help couples navigate challenges with empathy, insight, and care.

"The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives"

- Esther Perel