Learn to transform yourself without losing your essence

Dr Josymar Chacín graduated in Psychology from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta (Venezuela), with her degree recognised by the Universidad de Costa Rica. She is accredited by the Colegio de Psicólogos de Costa Rica.

She holds a Doctorate in Human Sciences with an emphasis on Psychoneuroimmunology from Universidad del Zulia (Venezuela), as well as two honorary doctorates: one awarded by Instituto Cosvic (Costa Rica) and one in Health awarded by the Sociedad Internacional en Investigación, Salud, Desarrollo Empresarial y Tecnologías (SIISDET, Colombia), where she was also named Dama de la Salud.

She holds a Master’s in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos (Spain) and is a Specialist in Health Psychology from the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (Brazil). She also holds a Diploma in Organisational Wellbeing from The George Washington University School of Business and ADEN Business School.

She is a guest lecturer at INCAE Business School in the Management with Leadership programme, and director and lecturer of the Diploma in Psychoneuroimmunology at Universidad de Los Andes. She works as a psychotherapist endorsed by Universidad Albert Ellis (New York) and Universidad de Flores (Argentina). She also holds an International Professional Coach Certification endorsed by the International Coach Federation (ICF) and a Conscious Business Coaching Certification from the Conscious Business Center International.

Early in her career she founded and coordinated the Psychology Unit at the Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas in Venezuela, working with the Paediatric Oncology and Palliative Care teams. There she developed grief-support programmes for patients and families, including Castillos en el cielo, for children, and Camino a la luz, for adults.

Her publications include scientific articles and collective works in psychoneuroimmunology, health psychology and palliative care. She is the author of a study published in Health Psychology Open (England) on the effects of psychoneuroimmunological intervention in children with leukaemia; of the children’s story Una batalla ganada. Mi lucha contra la leucemia; and co-author of works such as the Manual de Cuidados Paliativos para el Primer Nivel de Atención, among others.

She created the SEIN programme (Salud Empresarial Inmunocompetente) and has served as president of the Venezuelan Society of Psychoneuroimmunology and of the Latin American Federation of Psychoneuroimmunology. She has received the Award for the Best and Most Outstanding Professional in Health Sciences (SIISDET, Colombia) and the international recognition Maximum Leader of Excellence in Health, granted by the World Association for Excellence in Health (AMES).

She is currently president and managing partner of Avantem (Costa Rica) and of Organización Metas (Venezuela). With more than 30 years of professional experience, she has worked as a consultant, lecturer, researcher and speaker in more than 15 countries, standing out for her ability to integrate science, mental health and organisational wellbeing. Her work has left its mark in clinical, educational and business settings, driving processes of cultural transformation, conscious leadership and human development. Her approach seeks to build healthier, immunocompetent and psychologically ductile organisations and people.

Dr Margarita Chacín is a Clinical and Health Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, England) and recognised as an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS), a distinction reserved for professionals with an established career and significant contributions to the field of psychology.

She graduated summa cum laude in Psychology from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta (Venezuela), completed a Master’s in Clinical and Health Psychology at the Instituto Superior de Estudios Psicológicos (Spain) and obtained a Doctorate in Psychotherapy from the Metanoia Institute/Middlesex University (United Kingdom).

She has more than 18 years of experience supporting complex human processes in contexts of grief, trauma, chronic illness, emotional health and palliative care. She has worked in hospitals, universities and private practice in Latin America and Europe. She is the founder of Horley Psychology (England) and of Organización Metas (Venezuela).

She is currently a Senior Lecturer on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute (London), where she also sits on the academic teaching and quality committee and works as a clinical and research supervisor.

Throughout her career she has led clinical and research projects in areas such as psychoneuroimmunology, chronic pain, men’s health, fatherhood and psychological support in cancer and palliative care. She has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters in clinical psychology, psychotherapy and integrative health, and is known for an integrative, relational and deeply human perspective.

She is the creator of the psychological ductility approach, an innovative therapeutic proposal that promotes sustainable processes of inner transformation and meaningful adaptation in the face of adversity. In her clinical practice she integrates models such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), compassion-focused therapy, existential thinking and the relational-integrative approach.

She firmly believes that suffering, when accompanied with ethical presence, awareness and meaning, can become a gateway to a more authentic and fulfilling life. Her work combines science, clinical sensitivity and lived experience, and is oriented towards cultivating a way of being that is more ductile, more human and more aligned with what truly matters.