Ilaria Calussi, BACP

Ilaria Calussi offers calm, straightforward support for people feeling stuck in relationships, parenting, family life or after trauma. They introduce a clear, gentle way of looking at tough moments so parents can make sense of what is happening and decide what to do next.

With 25 years of clinical work, Ilaria brings practical experience from schools, social care and the NHS. They have worked in organisations such as Place2Be, Mind, Family Action and the National Autism Unit. They also run a private practice and lecture in psychology and counselling at the Open University.

Their approach draws on attachment ideas and emotionally-focused methods to help people understand how early bonds shape current reactions. They use client-centred techniques to keep sessions focused on each person’s needs. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, when used, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and build new coping strategies.

Ilaria is experienced supporting people with adoption and foster care concerns, attachment issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, ADHD, dissociation and the effects of domestic violence or abuse. They also help with communication problems, codependency and the stresses carers can face.

Sessions are offered in English and Italian and can be arranged online or by phone. Ilaria is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Their style is down-to-earth and practical, aiming to help people feel more capable and connected to the people around them.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape how people react now. Online sessions using this approach focus on recognising patterns in emotions and rebuilding better ways of connecting with others. Client-Centred Therapy puts the person's experience at the heart of the session. The counsellor follows the client's lead, listens closely and helps people find their own solutions in a non-judgemental way. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and replace them with more workable choices; online CBT often uses short exercises and practical tools to try between sessions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The counsellor will discuss goals, preferences and what has worked in the past to decide which methods to try. That may mean combining elements from different approaches and adjusting them as the work progresses.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat lets people check in quickly during a busy day, and messaging supports brief updates or longer reflective writing between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy around parenting, work or other responsibilities while keeping the focus on practical change and emotional connection.