What to Expect & How We Work Together
Taking the step to start therapy can feel overwhelming. You might wonder: What actually happens in a session? Do I have to share everything immediately? What if I don't even know what to say? My role as a psychologist is not to sit above you as a rigid authority or offer quick-fix advice. Instead, think of therapy as a dynamic partnership. I act as a skilled companion in the unknown, helping you observe automatic reactions, map out your internal landscape, and translate mental clarity into everyday life.
Total Flexibility: Adapting to Your Rhythm
One of the biggest reasons people hesitate to start therapy is the fear of being locked into a rigid structure. In my practice, flexibility is a core principle.
Flexible Schedule & Frequency: You are not forced into a rigid weekly box forever. We adapt session frequency based on your current needs, goals, and life demands.
Hybrid Formats: Seamlessly switch between in-person sessions and secure online consultations worldwide.
Bilingual Freedom: Express yourself in whichever language feels most comfortable - sessions are conducted fluently in both English and Italian.
Dynamic Modalities: We adapt the tools (CBT, ACT, CFT, EMDR, Schema Therapy, CBT, somatic awareness, etc.) to match how your mind and body respond best.
The 3-Phase Working Framework
1. Assessment & 360° Life Mapping
“Before understanding where to go, we must understand where you are. “
We begin by taking a comprehensive look at your whole world, not just your immediate symptoms. Like building a house, we cannot construct higher goals on a fragile foundation.
Whole-Person Assessment: Exploring your life history, daily routine, work demands, relationships, values, sleep, physical movement, and social circle.
Defining the Challenge: Clarifying what is happening, when it occurs, its intensity, and what coping attempts you have already tried.
Uncovering Core Motivations: Examining your reasons for change.
Collaborative Goals: Setting clear, realistic, and meaningful milestones together.
2. Dual-Action Intervention
"Combining immediate practical tools with deep therapeutic work."
Real psychological progress operates on two levels simultaneously:
Practical Tooling (Immediate Relief): Practical strategies to regulate anxiety, ground yourself during high stress, reframe intrusive thoughts, and maintain daily focus.
Deep Foundation Work (Addressing the Source):
EMDR Therapy: Reprocessing past distress, lingering triggers, or physical tension held in the body.
Schema Therapy: Identifying and restructuring deep-seated emotional loops, self-criticism, and coping traps.
CBT & ACT: Building psychological flexibility and aligning your daily actions with your authentic self.
3. Autonomy, Integration & Testing
"Testing new mechanisms and building confidence in real life."
Therapy is successful when you no longer need it. In this phase, we focus on transferring the insights gained in our sessions into your daily reality:
Real-World Application: Applying emotional regulation tools in high-stress personal, professional, or performance situations.
Relapse Prevention: Developing strategies to handle setbacks, uncertainty, and life changes independently.
Final Check: Confirming you feel confident, grounded, and equipped with a self-sustaining psychological toolkit.
Addressing Common Hesitations & Myths
Before booking, many people talk themselves out of starting. Here are a few common fears, reframed:
1. "I don't know where to start or what to say."
The Truth: You don't need to be "ready" or have a neat story prepared. Feeling lost, awkward, or confused is often the best place to begin. "I don't know where to start" is where we start.
2. "Therapy is just advice or quick fixes."
The Truth: Real growth isn't about rapid "band-aids". While we will cover practical, immediate coping strategies, true balance comes from understanding your root emotional patterns and personal history.
3. "I should be able to handle this on my own."
The Truth: Reaching out isn't a sign of weakness, it is curiosity in action. Just as doing heavy physical work on an unstable foundation leads to strain or injury, ignoring internal stress leads to emotional burnout. Seeking support builds long - term autonomy, direction and clarity.
What a Session Actually Feels Like
Confidential & Grounded Space: A structured environment where you can unpack uncomfortable truths without judgement.
Active Dialogue: A collaborative back-and-forth session, not just silent note-taking.
Mind-Body Connection: Connecting your thoughts with physical responses, stress levels, and behavioural habits.