Counselling and Psychotherapy,
CBT, EMDR
Adlerian Counselling and Psychotherapy
I offer counselling and psychotherapy based on the psychology of Alfred Adler (1870-1937). Breaking with psychoanalysis, Adler developed a humanistic approach to psychotherapy which embraces depth work (exploring early experiences and unconscious processes) and a practical understanding of wellbeing based on encouragement and belonging. Adlerian psychology is aligned with existential as well as spiritual perspectives, and stands on the following key principles:
Social Belonging
Our needs to belong and find significance are inscribed in our biology. Feelings of disconnection or rejection from those who matter put us in touch with our vulnerability, sometimes destabilising our sense of self. By turning toward others, we rediscover our sense of safety and usefulness at the base of self-worth.
Creativity
We often think of our personalities as a combination of nature and nurture, the genes we inherit and the experiences which form us. Adler believed that our creativity is often overlooked as a third factor influencing our movement in life: if we cannot choose the soil we stand on, we can tend what grows from it. Therapy can help us carefully unearth memories, loosen old roots and draw on our inspiration to cultivate an identity which feels authentic and alive.
Purposiveness
Early experiences tend to shape our expectations and ambitions in life, like proving our worth in certain life domains, or working hard to avoid failure whilst paying a greater cost in the long run. Sometimes, present challenges echo the pain of our early difficulties, reinforcing unhelpful views of ourselves and the world. By recognising the direction reflected in our beliefs and patterns of behaviour, we can recalibrate our compass towards our true north.
Subjectivity
Change is a constant in life. At times we may feel able to start a new chapter, at others the change we need may feel impossible due to the circumstances. We may also be faced with unexpected transitions that challenge our stability. However difficult the situation, there is often a margin of choice from which we can make sense of what truly matters and seize the strength to take the first step.
Holism
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts: Adler believed that people can be understood only within their social system, and that sense of belonging can be extended to the natural world. By attuning to the body and to our emotional experiences we expand our capacity to relate to others. In relationship with others, we can foster community feeling. In community, we can deepen a sense of home and care for the world we inhabit.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has developed over the last century into a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to specific concerns. It is typically time-limited and is widely recognised as a first-line treatment by organisations including the NHS, NICE and the WHO. CBT may not be suited to every issue, however can help examine your thoughts and behaviours, make sense of repetitive cycles and experiment with new strategies in a focussed and practical way. It may be especially helpful for:
Anxiety
Psychoeducation, thought challenging and exposure-based interventions for worry, panic, phobias, social anxiety, health anxiety, emetophobia, body dysmorphia, perfectionism
OCD
NICE and RCPsych recommend CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) as the most effective treatment for OCD, breaking the cycle of persistent intrusive thoughts and ritualised behaviours
Depression
Psychoeducation and monitoring of behavioural and thinking patterns which perpetuate low mood, irritability, self-criticism, lack of energy and motivation. Experimentation with value-based activity
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help people process traumatic experiences that may feel “stuck” in the mind and body. EMDR uses sets of eye movements, sounds, or taps to stimulate the brain’s natural ability to reprocess difficult events. This helps to reduce the emotional charge of past experiences, so they can be remembered without overwhelming feelings or distress. NICE and the WHO recommend EMDR as a treatment for PTSD.
Client Feedback
“Giacomo is an excellent therapist, he listened to all my concerns in a non-judgemental way. Although I did find some sessions challenging, I have enjoyed attending these sessions. I found the practical elements of CBT and ERP very helpful in the sessions. I have been able to utilise these techniques in my day to day life. I can’t thank you enough!”
“Thank you, this was my first time accessing talking therapy apart from one session of grief counselling, and you were very easy to talk to, even though I usually find it very hard to talk about myself. Often, I’d even be cycling over thinking I didn’t want to talk today, I can’t talk today, but I was always able to once I arrived. I am living more mindfully and less reactively as a result of our sessions.”
“Giacomo’s therapeutic approach combines professional expertise with genuine warmth and care. He helped me understand my emotional patterns and relationships in new ways, while offering practical tools for personal growth. His ability to help me see connections between my past experiences and current patterns was truly invaluable. I’m deeply grateful for our work together and the positive impact it has had on my life.”
“Giacomo delivered exceptional therapy, thoughtfully adapting his approach to meet my specific needs with great flexibility.”
How My Process Works
Booking a Call
When thinking about starting therapy, it can be difficult to know what approach or how many sessions you may benefit from. A free 15-20 minute telephone call can give us a sense of whether we might be a good fit, and how therapy may help.
Booking an Initial Session
On a first session we can explore the issues you would like to work on and your expectations for therapy. By the end of this session, I will check with you if you would like to continue working with me, and when to review our work together.
Reviewing Ongoing Work
Whether our sessions are time-limited or open-ended , it is good to regularly review progress in therapy. I aim to work alongside you in deciding the duration of therapy, monitoring our process together and setting review dates collaboratively .
