About me
Welcome. Whatever the reason that brought you here, I imagine it was not an easy journey. Please take a moment to rest while I introduce myself, explain a bit about therapy, and suggest how we could work together.
I am Paola. For almost 20 years, I have been living between Italy – my home country – and England, which has also become home. The unexpected challenges and the curiosity, coupled with longing, which have been part of my experience allowed me to develop an appreciation for the transformative impact of change. It also taught me the importance of being flexible and humorous. You can expect these themes to emerge in therapy.
My approach is eclectic: I trained as a clinical psychologist, took an MA in Anthropology of Health, studied and practiced CBT, and recently went back to university for an MA in death studies. Death is the biggest taboo left in our society, and one which we all come to face in different ways at different times. I have a non-dogmatic interest in spirituality and the role it plays, for better or worse, in the life of individuals and society at large.
I offer short, medium, and long term therapy, both in English and Italian, and my services include 1:1 and couples therapy. I work with a broad range of mental health problems, and my specialties are anxiety disorders, self-esteem issues, and grief.
I have a rigorous, evidence-based approach which embraces creativity. I use tools from different therapeutic schools to explore problems, and then tailor the intervention to the specific context that each individual represents. My experience is based in both the public and private sector, which has helped me to see therapy as a form of art based upon science, with sessions as unique pieces which are co-created with my clients.
In therapy we have a chance to learn more about ourselves, our feelings and what lies behind them, the role that others play in our life, and about what helps and hinders us. We will work to make sense of your story and integrate past and present experiences, to become aware of rigid narratives that might be holding you back, and to embrace a rounded perspective that allows you to reconnect to your deepest desires, and to the people around you.
The literal meaning of psychotherapy is ‘cure for the soul’. We can think of the soul as our inner world: there are times when we feel a sense of estrangement – in the first place from ourselves, which then spills over into our outward-facing life. We might experience dark feelings and thoughts, discover aspects of ourselves that we find disturbing, and end up thinking there is something wrong with us. Through our therapeutic journey, we can look at these facets of life together. Things that are scary when we are alone become more acceptable when understood together. In time, we can come to realise that life is made of different colours and layers, and that difficult emotions are part of it.
If you’d like to know more, we can start with a 20-minute free informal phone call, or you can email me with any questions.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an Italian Clinical Psychologist registered with both the HCPC and the Italian Council of Psychologists.
I worked for the Italian Health Care System, as well as in various NHS Mental Health Services.
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£110.00 - £150.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Sessions for self-funding clients are charged as follows:
Initial consultation for individuals: £110 for 50-minute session
Initial consultation for couples: £150 for 80-minute session
One-off session for individuals £150 for 80-minute session
Ongoing sessions:
Individuals: £110 for 50-minute session
Couples: £130 for 50-minute session
When I work
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Further information
My practice is online. Get in touch via email or call me for any questions.
