I am a Psychologist registered with the Lombardia Regional Council of Psychologists and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist – registered with the British Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapy. I have been working in the field of mental health for over a decade. My areas of expertise are adults and adolescents (from 16 yo onwards) and I work with individuals who suffers from anxiety disorders (e.g.: adjustment disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, panic attacks, phobia etc) and mood disorders (including depression).
I initially worked as support worker for adults with complex needs and brain injuries, before working as a Psychologist in a psychiatric intensive care units for 5 years. I finally trained as Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in London and I worked in both the NHS and in private sector.
My Approach:
Working in different clinical settings has certainly proved to be invaluable and has shaped not only my professional growth but also my personal growth.
For the majority of my career, I worked in East London – the biggest Bangladeshi community in London- and in North London – in which there is a big Turkish community.
I have been working with a range of complex anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and depression related problems, delivering therapeutic intervention within the CBT framework and using disorder-specific models where appropriate. However, I have also learned to adapt evidence-based CBT protocols to meet clients’ needs using the individualized formulation, respecting the person’s uniqueness.
Working with diverse client groups from a range of different ages, cultures, ethnicities, beliefs, has certainly taught me to be creative with clients and to adapt my work with their needs, such as working with interpreters, etc.
For therapy to work, I believe that it needs a non-judgmental, empathic and curious stance. I think that it needs a safe space, in which we can feel free and respected and together we can deal with the life challenges. I fundamentally believe that we know ourself better than anybody else does; my role as therapist is to guide you in a process of self-discovery of those dynamics and maladaptive patterns that ultimately are source of distress.
Although I come from a cognitive behavioral background, I think that in order to make changes, the approach has to reflect the uniqueness as well as the needs of the individual above all.
I pride myself to use an integrative approach with my clients, which I reckon to be one of the fundamental key in the room with them. As such, I draw on a range from different approaches, that encompass evidence-based techniques (CBT, CFT, ACT).
I love plays and musical as well as concerts and enjoying nature. I am also into running, and spending time with friends.
I am an Psychologist and a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and a trainee Schema Therapist. I deliver therapy both in English and in Italian.. I work with adults (18+) and adolescents (16+).
Overall
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Gabriella, she is a very skilled psychologist. She manages to balance being very kind, supportive and empathetic, whilst also guiding you into self-discovery and finding strategies and solutions that work for you. Her English is excellent. I highly recommend her!
Overall
I saw Gabi for a few months to help with an acute situation and felt that she approached our sessions with great empathy and caring, and an actionable style that helped me shake my thinking. I learned things about myself, finding the tools she provided helpful in attempting to make needed changes, internally in my thinking and externally by changing the environment supporting my well-being. A big recommendation from me.
Overall
I have seen a few therapist in the past and Gabriella is certainly the best one I have met with. Her approach to therapy is refreshingly goal oriented and has driven positive change in my life using a combination of exercises during and outside of sessions, while also allowing me to just talk through things when needed. She has been very helpful with furthering my own self-reflection. She also seems to really understand the pressures faced by expats and has been very helpful in that regard.
