Ilaria Calussi, BACP

Ilaria Calussi is a systemic and relational psychotherapist whose practice is shaped by more than 25 years of work across clinical, educational, and social care settings. They bring extensive training in family therapy, gestalt therapy, trauma-informed CBT, therapeutic play, clinical supervision, and autism and ADHD specialist approaches, adapting methods to suit individuals, couples, and families.

Over a long career Ilaria has worked with leading organisations including Place2Be, Mind, Family Action, social care services, and the NHS. They currently support autistic people and their families at the National Autism Unit (NHS), while also running a private practice and lecturing in psychology and counselling at the Open University. Previous roles have included managing school-based services and supervising children and families social care teams, giving them a broad perspective on systemic and community-focused support.

Ilaria works with couples, families, and individuals on relationship and family issues, attachment concerns, trauma and abuse, parenting, and neurodiversity-related challenges such as autism and ADHD. Their approach is grounded in systemic and intersectional practice, integrating attachment theory, neuroscience, and creative methods to help people reconnect with themselves and others. Personal experience of solo parenting, neurodivergence, and queer relationships informs a down-to-earth, empathetic style focused on resilience and meaningful change. They hold the BACP credential - British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and offers practice informed by that professional qualification.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support with Ilaria Calussi

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns of connection and trust. In accessible sessions this approach helps people explore attachment needs and repair relational wounds, useful for couples, parents, and those with abandonment or attachment concerns.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a non-directive, empathetic stance in which the therapist follows the client’s lead, offering acceptance and understanding. This approach supports self-exploration, emotional processing, and building self-worth, and can be helpful for anxiety, identity questions, and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Short-term and skills-focused, CBT can assist with anxiety, stress, and mood-related difficulties while complementing relational and attachment work.

Ilaria approaches choice of method collaboratively - they will work with each person, couple, or family to find the best therapeutic fit based on needs, goals, and preferences. Exploring different approaches is part of the process and adjustments can be made as therapy progresses.

Online therapy with Ilaria is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people balancing work, family, or geographic distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, attend sessions from home or elsewhere, and integrate therapeutic work into everyday life with support from a licensed professional.