Meet Our Lecturers
Guides, mentors, innovators
Berta Balmes Góngora, PhD
Dr Berta Balmes Góngora is passionate about understanding how extraordinary people can truly be. She believes that each person is a unique and unrepeatable combination of genes, capable of achieving unparalleled personal growth by developing what is authentic within themselves.
Dr Berta Balmes Góngora holds a Doctorate in Philosophy in Logotherapy, a Master of Arts in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude) from California Southern University, US, an MBA from Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI), Spain, a Professional Designation in Marketing from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), US, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Suffolk University, US. She has diverse professional experience across multiple countries and industries, developing strong cross-cultural sensitivity and a forward-thinking approach to addressing sociological challenges.
Before fully dedicating herself to her work as a therapist, educator, and mentor, she spent several years as an engineer, managing international teams across the US, Germany, Spain, and the UK, gaining deep insights into the human condition. With many years of experience in higher education, Dr Berta Balmes Góngora is dedicated to helping and guiding students in discovering their true selves, emphasising the importance of knowledge, education, and honesty as gateways to freedom. As a psychologist and therapist, her primary mission is to help people of all ages find personal meaning in life, focusing on future growth and the human capacity to overcome difficulties through the pursuit of purpose.
Research and Professional Activities
1. Publications
Doctoral Thesis:
– 2023. Logotherapy as a Meaning-Centred Approach to Psychological Wellbeing,
Resilience and Suicide Prevention. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Cambridge
International University.
2. Conferences
– 2026. Meaning, Purpose and Mental Health: Applications of Logotherapy in
Suicide Prevention. International Conference on Existential Psychology and
Mental Health. Keynote Speaker.
– 2025. Mental Health, Wellbeing and Student Success. International Summit on
Student Wellbeing. Joint presentation with Dr Melanie Falvey and Dr Ona Miller.
Panel Chair and Speaker.
– 2025. Meaning, Resilience and Suicide Prevention in Military and Veteran
Populations. International Conference on Military Psychology and Mental Health.
Keynote Speaker.
– 2024. Protective Factors Against Suicide: Integrating Logotherapy into Mental
Health Interventions. International Congress on Applied Psychology. Speaker.
– 2024. Mental Health and Wellbeing in Higher Education. International Mental
Health and Wellbeing Summit. Joint presentation with Dr Melanie Falvey and Dr
Ona Miller. Speaker.
– 2024. Logotherapy as a Framework for Enhancing Resilience Among Military
Personnel. International Conference on Trauma, Resilience and Recovery.
Speaker.
– 2023. Marketing as a Tool to Influence Human Decision-Making and Behaviour.
International Conference on Consumer Psychology and Marketing. Invited
Speaker.
– 2023. Human Factors, Leadership and Psychological Resilience in Mission-
Critical Environments. International Conference on Engineering Psychology and
Organisational Performance. Speaker.
– 2023. Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication in Professional and
Educational Contexts. International Behavioural Sciences Conference. Speaker.
– 2022. Leadership, Human Behaviour and Organisational Performance. Global
Leadership and International Management Conference. Speaker.
– 2022. Psychological Wellbeing, Leadership and Human Performance in High-
Risk Operational Environments. International Conference on Military Leadership
and Organisational Psychology. Speaker.
– 2021. Psychological Performance in Mission-Critical Aerospace Environments.
Aerospace Operations and Human Factors Conference. Speaker.
– -2020. Suicide Prevention Strategies for Military Personnel and Veterans.
International Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference. Speaker.
– 2019. Bullying, Self-Esteem and Suicide Risk Among Young Adults. European
Mental Health Promotion Conference. Speaker.
– 2017. Logotherapy and Suicide Prevention: Finding Meaning During Crisis.
International Symposium on Suicide Prevention. Speaker.
– 2015. Behavioural Influence, Marketing Psychology and Ethical Decision-Making.
International Marketing Forum. Speaker.
– 2012. Human Factors in Satellite Ground Segment Operations. International
Aerospace Engineering Conference. Speaker.
– 2008. Decision-Making Under Pressure in Satellite Mission Control
Environments. Ground Systems and Operations Conference. Speaker.
– 2005. Psychological Determinants of Human Performance in Engineering Teams.
International Engineering and Human Factors Conference. Speaker.
– 2003. Communication and Team Dynamics in Aerospace Operations.
International Engineering and Operations Conference. Speaker.
3. Key Projects and Research
Suicide Prevention and Logotherapy
– 2020–2023. Doctoral Research Project: Logotherapy as a Meaning-Centred
Approach to Psychological Wellbeing, Resilience and Suicide Prevention.
– 2010–. Development of suicide prevention programmes based on meaning-
centred and existential approaches.
– 2008–. Research examining resilience, purpose in life and psychological
wellbeing as protective factors against suicide.
– 2006–. Research examining suicide risk factors, early intervention and mental
health promotion strategies.
– 2015–. Research examining the role of meaning, purpose and resilience in
suicide prevention among military personnel, veterans and high-risk occupational
groups. Psychology, Philosophy and Logotherapy
– 2008–. Research integrating philosophy, psychology and existential approaches
to wellbeing.
– 2012–. Application of Viktor Frank´s Logotherapy principles within counselling,
education and leadership contexts.
– 2015–. Research examining meaning-centred interventions and psychological
resilience. Body Language and Behavioural Analysis
– 2008–. Research examining body language, behavioural observation and non-
verbal communication.
– 2012–. Application of non-verbal communication analysis in leadership,
negotiation and organisational development.
– 2015–. Development and delivery of professional training programmes on
behavioural observation and communication effectiveness. Marketing Psychology and Behavioural Influence
– 2008–. Research examining persuasion, behavioural influence and consumer
decision-making.
– -2012–. Research examining ethical implications of behavioural marketing
strategies.
– 2015–. Research examining psychological mechanisms underlying marketing
communications and consumer behaviour. Engineering, Aerospace and Human Factors
– 2002–2005. Ground Segment Operations and Satellite Communications Projects
associated with ESA, NASA and EUMETSAT.
– 2002–2005. Research examining operator performance, workload management
and decision-making in mission-critical environments.
– 2003–2005. Ground Control Systems and Operational Psychology Projects
involving Loral Skynet and Raytheon.
– 2002–2005. Application of human-machine interaction principles within satellite
mission control environments. Military Psychology and Resilience
– 2012–. Research examining psychological resilience, leadership and wellbeing in
military and mission-critical operational environments.
– 2015–. Research examining suicide prevention, psychological adjustment and
identity transition among veterans.
– 2018–. Application of meaning-centred interventions to support wellbeing in
military personnel exposed to high levels of stress and adversity.
4. Workshops
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Wellbeing
– 2025–. Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2025–. Suicide Prevention and Resilience Building for Military Personnel and
Veterans. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2024–. Logotherapy and Meaning-Centred Counselling Approaches. Workshop
Facilitator.
– 2023–. Logotherapy and Meaning-Centred Approaches to Trauma Recovery.
Workshop Facilitator.
– 2022–. Meaning, Purpose and Psychological Resilience. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2020–. Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention for Veterans and
Military Communities. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2018–. Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Strategies. Workshop
Facilitator.
– 2010–. Mental Health Awareness and Psychological Wellbeing. Workshop
Facilitator. Leadership, Management and Communication
– 2022–. Leadership, Resilience and Psychological Wellbeing in High-Risk
Occupations. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2020–. Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2015–. Consumer Psychology and Behavioural Influence. Workshop Facilitator.
– 2014–. Leadership, Emotional Intelligence and Organisational Behaviour.
Workshop Facilitator.
– 2012–. Marketing Psychology and Consumer Behaviour. Workshop Facilitator.
5. Memberships
– 2023–. Member of the Viktor Frankl Institute.
– 2023–. Member of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
– 2021–. Member of professional groups focused on Logotherapy and Existential
Psychology.
– 2020–. Member of professional networks dedicated to suicide prevention and
mental health promotion.
– 2018–. Professional Member of Medscape.
– 2015–. Member of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP).
– 2012–. Member of the American Psychological Association (APA).
6. Knowledge Transfer Activities
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
– 2008–. Delivery of seminars and workshops on suicide prevention, crisis
intervention and mental health awareness for academic and professional
audiences.
– 2010–. Development and implementation of mental health literacy and wellbeing
programmes.
– 2015–. Delivery of seminars addressing suicide prevention, resilience and
psychological wellbeing in military, veteran and high-risk occupational
populations. Logotherapy and Philosophy
– 2015–. Dissemination of Logotherapy principles through workshops, public
lectures and professional development programmes.
– 2018–. Translation of psychological and philosophical research into practical
interventions for educational and organisational settings.
– 2018–. Dissemination of Logotherapy principles as tools for coping with adversity,
trauma and life transitions among military personnel and veterans. Leadership, Marketing and Communication
– 2012–. Delivery of leadership and organisational behaviour training integrating
psychology, body language and communication skills.
– 2013–. Delivery of seminars examining behavioural influence, consumer
psychology and ethical marketing practices. Engineering and Human Factors
– 2020–. Application of human factors psychology within engineering, aerospace
and operational performance environments.
– 2020–. Translation of research on meaning, purpose and resilience into practical
wellbeing programmes for leadership, military and emergency-service contexts.
Academic and Professional Development
– 2021–. Collaboration with Dr Melanie Falvey and Dr Ona Miller in the
organisation and delivery of international summits addressing mental health,
resilience, wellbeing and student success.
– 2021–. Delivery of professional development activities focused on psychological
resilience, leadership effectiveness and mental wellbeing in mission-critical
environments.
– 2022–. Academic supervision, mentoring and professional development support
for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
7. Achievements
– 2023. Awarded Excellence Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Logotherapy and
Meaning-Centred Psychology, Cambridge International University.
– 2015–. International speaker and trainer across Europe, the United States and
international educational environments.
– 2015–. Delivery of international presentations, workshops and professional
training activities on suicide prevention, Logotherapy, military wellbeing, veteran
resilience, mental health and psychological wellbeing.
– 2015–. Development and application of resilience-based approaches supporting
military personnel, veterans and high-performance professional groups.
– 2012–. Development and delivery of professional training programmes in body
language, behavioural analysis and communication effectiveness.
– 2010–. Development and delivery of suicide awareness, intervention and
prevention programmes.
– 2010–. Application of psychological principles to leadership, organisational
behaviour and employee wellbeing.
– 2008–. Development of bullying prevention, resilience and mental health
promotion initiatives.
– 2005–. Interdisciplinary work integrating psychology, philosophy, management,
engineering and behavioural science.
– 2002–. Professional experience spanning psychology, philosophy, aerospace
engineering, international management and higher education.
– 2002–2005. Ground Segment Engineer supporting satellite communications and
mission operations associated with ESA, NASA and EUMETSAT.
– 2002–2005. Contribution to operational performance and human factors projects
involving Loral Skynet and Raytheon.
8. Professional Training
Psychology, Mental Health and Wellbeing
– 2024. Advanced Suicide Risk Assessment and Crisis Intervention.
– 2024. Suicide Prevention and Mental Health in Military and Veteran Populations.
– 2023. Advanced Logotherapy and Meaning-Centred Psychotherapy.
– 2023. Mental Health First Aid.
– 2023. Trauma-Informed Practice.
– 2023. Suicide Intervention Training.
– 2022. Psychological Resilience and Recovery in High-Risk Occupations.
– 2020. Military Mental Health and Veteran Wellbeing.
– -2019. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Foundations.
Leadership and Professional Development
– 2022. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
– 2022. Safeguarding Adults and Vulnerable Individuals.
– 2021. Advanced Leadership and Executive Coaching.
– 2021. Leadership and Human Performance in Operational Environments.
– 2012. Leadership and Organisational Development.
– 2010. Project Management and Leadership Development.Research and Data Analysis
– 2017. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods.
– 2015. Advanced Statistical Analysis Using SPSS. Engineering and Aerospace
– 2005. Satellite Ground Segment Operations and Mission Control Systems.
– 2004. Aerospace Systems Engineering and Operations Management.
– 2003. Satellite Communications Systems and Network Operations.
– 2002. Ground Control Segment Engineering and Mission Support Operations. Communication and Behavioural Analysis
– 2024. Body Language and Behavioural Analysis.
– 2024. Psychological Support for High-Risk Occupations.
– 2024. Advanced Behavioural Analysis and Human Performance.
– 2024. Non-Verbal Communication and Body Language Analysis.
– 2024. Military Mental Health, Resilience and Wellbeing.
– 2023. Suicide Prevention in Military and Veteran Populations.
– 2023. Behavioural Observation and Applied Human Factors.
– 2023. Psychological Performance and Resilience in Mission-Critical
Environments.
– 2023. Trauma-Informed Approaches for Military Personnel and Veterans.
– 2022. Advanced Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.
– 2022. Communication and Leadership in Multicultural Organisations.
– 2020. Human Factors in Command, Control and Decision-Making Environments.
– 2018. Organisational Behaviour and Employee Engagement.
– 2016. Human Performance Optimisation in Aerospace and Operational Settings.
– 2016. Leadership and Human Performance in Operational Environments.
– 2015. Body Language and Behavioural Analysis.
– 2014. Emotional Intelligence and Interpersonal Communication.
