Ilaria Calussi , BACP

Ilaria Calussi is a counsellor who focuses on women's issues, relationships and parenting concerns. She draws on 25 years of practice to help people sort through difficult feelings and improve how they connect with others. Sessions are conversational and down-to-earth, with attention to what each person needs in their life now.

She uses an approach shaped by attachment ideas and emotion-focused work to help people understand patterns that keep repeating. Cognitive behavioural techniques are used when helpful to spot unhelpful thinking and try practical alternatives. The emphasis is on clear, manageable steps rather than jargon or complex theory.

Ilaria has worked in a range of UK services including voluntary sector charities and the NHS, and she teaches in higher education. That background influences a practical style that aims to link everyday life with therapy work. Her experience includes supporting autistic people and exploring neurodiversity in relationships.

People who choose her often want help with relationship strain, parenting pressures, trauma and abuse, or the challenges of ADHD and attachment difficulties. She also works with issues such as adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, chronic illness, dissociation, codependency and separation.

Sessions are offered in English and Italian and can be arranged for international clients. Ilaria combines warmth with clear ideas about what to try next, helping people feel steadier and more connected in their daily lives.

How attachment and emotion work online can help relationships

Attachment-based work looks at how early patterns affect current relationships. It helps people notice familiar reactions and try new ways of relating to partners or family members. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on feelings and the moments that matter in close relationships, helping people name emotions and respond differently to one another. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, targets unhelpful thinking and offers hands-on exercises to test new behaviours and reduce distress.

Finding the right approach is part of therapy. The therapist will talk with each person about their needs, goals and preferences and together they will decide what to try first. This is a collaborative process and methods can be adjusted over time to match progress and changing priorities.

Online formats make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life. Video calls provide face-to-face contact for deeper conversations. Phone sessions suit people who need a lower-bandwidth option or who prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for short check-ins, ongoing reflections or when daily contact helps maintain momentum. These options offer flexibility and accessibility while keeping the focus on practical tools and emotional connection.