Carolina Assanelli · Psychologist & Behavioral Specialist

About

Clinical depth meets real-world change.

Carolina Assanelli is a licensed psychologist (Universidad de Flores) with a Postgraduate Specialization in Cognitive Therapy from Universidad Maimónides, and doctoral studies in Psychology at Universidad de Flores, Buenos Aires.

Over six years of clinical practice she has worked across therapeutic communities, psychiatric environments, and public health services — treating addiction, substance use, dual pathologies, eating disorders, and child and adolescent psychology. That front-line exposure gave her a precise, unfiltered understanding of how behavior forms, fractures, and heals.

She has held senior leadership positions as Technical Director of a psychology center, Directora de Área de Consumos Problemáticos at the Ministerio de Ciudadanía, and as a university lecturer at the Universidad de Flores — shaping the next generation of clinical psychologists.

Work Experience

Years of practice
that shaped the work.

2016 — 2018

Directora de Área de Consumos Problemáticos Most Senior Role

Ministerio de Ciudadanía · Unidad de Gestión de Consumos Problemáticos · Neuquén

Appointed Director of the Problematic Substance Use Area within the Ministry of Citizenship. Coordinated the national diagnostic strategy for substance use disorders, building inter-institutional networks between federal health services, law enforcement, community organizations, and government bodies. Represented the ministry on public radio as the authoritative voice on addiction and prevention. Active member of SEDRONAR's "Municipios en Acción" — Argentina's national program for municipal drug policy.

National Government Representative Addiction Policy SEDRONAR Public Health Leadership

2014 — 2016

Psychologist — Children, Women & Family

Área de Niñez, Mujer y Familia · Senillosa, Neuquén

Provided psychological care for children and adolescents under national protection laws. Collaborated directly with local police and healthcare services. Coordinated inter-institutional networks and local casework meetings for vulnerable families.

Child Psychology Adolescents Gender Violence Institutional Networks

2013 — 2018

Clinical Psychologist — Outpatient Services

Centro de Salud Comahue · Neuquén Capital

Treatment of elderly adults presenting Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, and senile dementia in outpatient clinical settings.

Mood Disorders Anxiety Older Adults

2012 — 2016

Clinical Psychologist — Addiction & Therapeutic Community

CASA DEL SUR · Neuquén

Specialized clinical work in addiction as the primary area of practice. Delivered individual and group psychological treatment for patients with problematic substance use, drug and alcohol dependencies, and dual pathologies within a full-time residential therapeutic community.

Addiction — Primary Specialization Substance Use Dual Diagnosis Group Therapy

2012 — Present

Technical Director & Clinical Psychologist

Consultorios Psicológicos Las Violetas · Neuquén Capital

Co-founded and directed a multidisciplinary psychology center — overseeing human resources, clinical logistics, and professional admissions processes. Concurrent private practice as a clinical psychologist for children and adolescents in Cutral-Co.

Clinical Direction Private Practice Child & Adolescent Psychology

2010 — 2013

Professor — Clinical & General Psychology

Universidad de Flores, Sub-Sede Comahue · Neuquén

Held teaching positions across Clinical Psychology I & II and General Psychology I. Responsible for practical sessions, student supervision, exam marking, and class design. Head of Practical Work for the Case Study Workshop from 2012 onward.

Teaching Clinical Psychology Student Supervision

2011

Workshop Facilitator — Youth Employment Program

"Jóvenes con Más y Mejor Trabajo" · Secretary of Employment, Neuquén

Facilitated psychological workshops for at-risk youth (ages 18–25) under Argentina's national youth employment program, addressing behavioral risk factors, motivation, and employment readiness.

Youth Risk Prevention Community Intervention

Specializations

The areas where she works deepest.

🧠

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Evidence-based interventions targeting thought patterns, beliefs, and behavioral cycles — the gold standard in modern clinical psychology.

🔄

Addiction & Substance Use

Clinical treatment of alcohol, drug, and behavioral dependencies — relapse prevention, motivation, and long-term recovery frameworks.

🎰

Gambling Disorders

Specialized assessment and treatment of pathological gambling, including cognitive distortions and impulse regulation strategies.

🍽️

Eating Disorders

Treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and body image disturbances using validated CBT and third-wave protocols.

🏥

Psychiatric Co-morbidities

Deep experience managing complex cases with co-occurring diagnoses in clinical and inpatient psychiatric environments.

📈

Behavioral Change & Performance

Applied psychology for organizations — habit formation, decision-making under pressure, and psychological resilience in teams.

Conferences & Workshops

Continuous learning,
applied knowledge.

A selection of congresses, seminars, and professional development workshops attended throughout her career.

2016–17

Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Training in Pathological Gambling & Behavioral Addictions

Conjugar · Neuquén

Participant

2015

Intervention Models in Judicial Complaints for Sexual Abuse

Forensic Psychology & Psychiatry Cabinet · Judicial Branch of Neuquén

Participant

2013

Postgraduate Course: Neurocognitive Assessment & Treatment in Children and Adults

Universidad de Flores · 40 hs

Participant

2013

Free Course: Public Health and Addictions

Universidad Nacional del Comahue — Dr. Bonorino Esteban & Dr. Stein Enrique

Participant

2013

Seminar: Neurobiology and Psychotherapy

Colegio de Psicólogos Neuquén — Lic. Cristina Bluthgen · 8 hs

Participant

2013

Course: Anxiety Disorders — Psychopathology, Diagnosis and Treatment

Colegio de Psicólogos Neuquén — Dr. Héctor Fernandez Alvarez · 7 hs

Participant

2013

Training Days: Adolescence, Violence and Suicide

Argentine Association of Studies & Research in Psychodiagnostics — Silvia Pugliese · 8 hs

Participant

2011

VI Inter-American Congress on Mental Health: "Sex and Power — clinic, culture and society"

Argentine Association of Mental Health · Buenos Aires · 40 hs

Participant

2009

IV Inter-American Congress on Mental Health: "Mental Suffering — between Health and Illness"

Argentine Association of Mental Health · Buenos Aires · 40 hs

Participant

Services

Programs designed for depth.

Every offering is grounded in clinical research and shaped by years of real-world practice — not theory alone.

Workshops & Talks

For organizations & institutions

Evidence-based presentations and interactive workshops that equip teams, students, and professionals with psychological tools grounded in clinical practice.

Mental health literacy for organizations
Stress, burnout & behavioral regulation
Addiction & compulsive behavior awareness
Psychological safety & team resilience
Diagnosis of corporations

Courses & Programs

Structured learning experiences

Rigorous, science-backed courses built for lasting behavioral change — designed for professionals, individuals, and practitioners who want clinical depth.

CBT fundamentals & applied techniques
Understanding addiction: a clinical lens
Behavioral change methodology
Eating disorders: detection & support
All types of addictions

References

Endorsed by colleagues
across public service.

“

A key Technical-Political reference for the implementation of the MUNICIPIOS EN ACCIÓN program. She possesses high discipline, commitment, and passion for her work — translating into efficient and effective performance.

Juan Carlos Mansilla

Director de Desarrollo Territorial · SEDRONAR, Presidencia de la Nación

“

I must highlight her specific expertise in this field, as well as her responsibility, proactivity, and dedication to her area. Her standout qualities are creativity and the capacity to work as a team.

Lic. Hernán Esteban Ingelmo

Subsecretario de Ciudades Saludables y Prevención de Consumos Problemáticos · Ministerio de Ciudadanía, Neuquén

“

Her performance has been highly satisfactory, distinguished by her responsibility and dedication to assigned tasks. I gladly recommend Carolina Gema Assanelli for any relevant professional opportunity.

Prof. Gustavo Daniel Alcaraz

Ministro de Ciudadanía · Provincia del Neuquén

“

I wholeheartedly recommend Licenciada Gema Carolina Assanelli, who worked under my supervision. I can attest to her responsibility and competence in the work performed, primarily in her role as Adjunct Professor within the Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences.

Dra. Silvia Mainou

Vice Decana Regional · Fac. de Psicología y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Flores

Where science
meets behavior change.

Clinical depth meets real-world change.

Built in the field.

Years of practice
that shaped the work.