Ilaria Calussi

Relational counselling for connection and clarity

BACP United Kingdom

Experience: 25 years in practice
Focus areas: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Gottman Method, Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English, Italian

About Ilaria

Ilaria Calussi offers straightforward, down-to-earth support for people struggling with relationship and family challenges. They write plainly and with warmth, helping clients untangle messy feelings and find practical steps forward.

Background and approach

Ilaria communicates in English and Italian and brings 25 years of experience to each conversation. Ilaria practises from a relational and systemic viewpoint.

Sessions focus on how attachments, communication patterns and everyday stresses shape what happens between people. The Gottman Method is one of the approaches they use to look at interaction patterns and rebuild connection.

Their background includes work in schools and health services such as Place2Be, Mind, Family Action and the NHS. Ilaria also lectures in psychology and counselling at the Open University and runs a independent practice alongside clinical roles.

These roles mean they have a lot of experience working through trauma, parenting strains, neurodiversity and separation issues. Ilaria draws on attachment-based ideas, cognitive behavioural tools and emotionally focused techniques, matching methods to each person's needs.

Sessions are practical and relational, with space to talk about emotions and try new ways of connecting. People often come for help with communication problems, ADHD-related struggles, adoption or foster care issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, or feelings of emptiness.

The offering aims to be flexible for international clients and those who need remote options like video, phone or messaging.

Therapeutic approaches available online and how they help

Many of Ilaria's sessions draw on the Gottman Method, which looks at everyday interaction patterns between people and offers concrete ways to rebuild trust and improve communication. Attachment-Based Therapy is also used to explore how early bonds influence current relationships and to help people form more supported ways of relating. Client-Centred Therapy places the person's experience at the heart of sessions, offering a non-judgemental space to talk and make sense of emotions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Ilaria will listen to your concerns, goals and preferences and then suggest which methods could help most. Together you can try different techniques and adjust the plan as you learn what works for you.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a fuller interaction is helpful. Phone sessions suit times when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for shorter check-ins, quick reflections or when you need to fit therapy into a busy day. These options make it easier to keep continuity and access support from different locations while working with registered or accredited professionals.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Ilaria help with?

Ilaria works with relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges and ADHD-related struggles. Additional focus areas include adoption and foster care, attachment issues, communication problems and caregiver stress.

What is their general therapy style?

They use a relational, systemic approach that blends practical tools with emotional work. Conversations aim to change interaction patterns and improve how people connect and communicate.

How much experience does this counsellor have?

Ilaria has 25 years of experience working in mental health settings, schools and the NHS, alongside independent practice and university teaching.

What credential does Ilaria hold and where are they based?

Ilaria is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP, and is based in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Italian, and Ilaria accepts international clients who can work in those languages.

What session formats are available?

Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and preferences.

How are fees and payment arranged?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesADHD

Additional focus areas

Abandonment Adoption and foster care Attachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issues Caregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disability Codependency Communication problems Control issuesDissociationDivorce and separation Domestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issues Forgiveness Guilt and shame Immigration issues Isolation / loneliness Jealousy Life purpose Midlife crisis Mood disorders Multicultural concerns Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depression Post-traumatic stress Pregnancy and childbirth Prejudice and discriminationSelf-harmSelf-love Sexual assault and abuse Sexuality Social anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centred TherapyCognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Registered with

BACP

Languages

English, Italian