Francesca Viliani
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Nearly a decade ago, I came to counselling during a particularly challenging transition in my life. That deeply reflective period helped me recognise the need for change and ignited my passion for supporting others as they navigate their own unique paths.
Life is full of transitions and unexpected challenges: relationship break-ups, career changes, moving homes or countries, personal losses, or starting a new school or university. These moments can deeply impact your sense of self, emotions, and sense of purpose.
If you’re experiencing overwhelming emotions, negative thoughts, or patterns of behaviour you’d like to change, reaching out for support is a courageous step. There’s no shame in seeking help; it’s a powerful act of self-care.
Through counselling, people have a safe and supportive space to explore the difficulties they are going through, allowing time for meaningful self-reflection. Talking through their concerns can reduce feelings of hopelessness and isolation, providing much-needed support during times of depression, anxiety, uncertainty, or major life transitions.
As an integrative counsellor, I draw from different therapeutic approaches to meet each client’s unique needs. My work is grounded in the person-centred (humanistic) approach, which believes in every individual’s potential to thrive when provided with the right environment. In addition, I incorporate techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy to create a tailored, effective, and flexible therapeutic experience.
I run a private practice and volunteer with a longstanding women’s charity, creating a safe and empowering environment for those I support.
In the past, I have worked with a prominent mental health charity in Richmond, where I gained invaluable experience over a year. Additionally, I spent two years as a school-based counsellor in Croydon, working with young people aged 11–18.
These diverse experiences have deepened my commitment to providing compassionate, individualized care to every client, helping them feel heard and supported as they work through their concerns.
As your counsellor, my role is not to provide advice or quick solutions but to facilitate personal growth, self-discovery, and resilience. Together, we will explore strategies to help you cope, adapt, and move forward with confidence and clarity.
I offer both short-term and long-term counselling, depending on the client's needs: short-term counselling typically involves weekly sessions over a defined period; long-term counselling is open-ended, allowing for more in-depth exploration without a set end date.
Session frequency is flexible and tailored to the client's specific needs, with ongoing reviews as our work progresses. Everyone’s journey is different, and I strive to ensure the process reflects that.
I am committed to celebrating and respecting diversity, welcoming individuals from all racial, cultural, religious, sexual, and ability backgrounds. Recognising and honouring each client’s uniqueness is central to my practice.
While counselling can sometimes feel emotionally challenging, it is often profoundly rewarding, offering moments of self-discovery, growth, and even enjoyment.
Confidentiality forms the foundation of a trusting therapeutic relationship. It will be upheld at all times, except in rare situations where safety is a concern.
Please note: I always aim to respond to emails within 24 hours. If you haven’t heard from me, please check your junk mail folder.
Training, qualifications & experience
- AQA - LEVEL 2 - Introduction to Counselling
- ABC AWARDS - LEVEL 3 - Certificate in Counselling Skills
- AIM QUALIFICATIONS - LEVEL 4 - Diploma in counselling practice, Humanistic Theory,
- Psychodynamic Theory, Approaches to Counselling C&YP
- OCL LONDON - LEVEL 5 - Course in Counselling C&YP
- COUNSELLING TUTOR - LEVEL 1 - Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- I have worked as a volunteer counsellor in Twickenham, for a well known national mental charity.
- I have volunteered in Croydon, at a Secondary School, seeing clients aged 11-18.
- I currently volunteer for a long-standing charity, run by women for women, in Kingston Upon Thames.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Free initial online session
Additional information
Feeling comfortable with your therapist is essential for effective counselling.
I invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute Zoom call to discuss what you are looking for, eventual goals, what I have to offer and see if we're a good fit.
When I work
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Please feel free to drop me an email if you wish to arrange a suitable time for me to call you.
Further information
I have an enhanced DBS certificate.
