Somatic-Therapists

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Ilaria Calussi, BACP

Practical, relational counselling for everyday challenges

IC Portrait of Ilaria Calussi

About Ilaria

Ilaria Calussi is a counsellor who helps people untangle relationship and parenting difficulties. They support individuals coping with trauma, ADHD-related struggles, and the strain of separation or abandonment. Sessions are offered in English and Italian and can be held online for international clients.

Calussi brings 25 years of experience in community and clinical settings across the United Kingdom. Their background includes work with charities and the NHS, and teaching in higher education.

Book with Ilaria Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Background and approach

This range of roles informs a flexible, practical way of working with day-to-day problems. In session, they use somatic ideas alongside attachment and client-centred approaches. That means attention to how the body holds stress, and to patterns of relating that affect current difficulties.

Therapy often includes talking, noticing physical reactions, and trying small changes between sessions. Their work also draws on cognitive-behavioural and emotionally-focused methods when helpful. These approaches are used to reduce unhelpful thinking, calm overwhelming feelings, and improve communication.

The aim is clearer understanding and more effective coping strategies. Calussi’s lived experience as a solo parent and as a neurodivergent, queer person informs their practical, down-to-earth style. They aim to build a collaborative space where people can explore difficult events, strengthen relationships, and find ways to feel steadier in everyday life.

How different approaches work online

Somatic-informed work pays attention to bodily sensations and how tension shows up in daily life. Online sessions can include simple grounding exercises and guided body awareness to help people notice and ease physical stress linked to relationships or trauma.

Attachment-based work looks at patterns of relating and how early experiences shape present connections. Online conversations explore those patterns and aim to bring clearer understanding of how people react in close relationships and parenting situations.

A client-centred approach keeps the person’s needs and perspective at the heart of sessions. The counsellor listens without judgement and follows what matters most to the client while offering gentle reflections and practical suggestions.

Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. The counsellor collaborates with each person to match methods to goals, preferences and what feels useful in practice. That means plans can shift as understanding grows and needs change over time.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit counselling around work, family and travel. They also allow continued contact when in-person meetings are difficult, while keeping the focus on building coping skills, improving communication and managing stress.
Book with Ilaria Now Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this counsellor commonly address?
They work with relationship difficulties, parenting stress, trauma and abuse, and ADHD-related challenges, plus issues like abandonment, attachment and communication problems.
What is their therapeutic style like?
Their style blends somatic awareness, attachment-based listening and client-centred conversation. Sessions focus on noticing patterns in relationships and how the body reacts to stress.
How much experience does the counsellor have?
They have 25 years of experience working in mental health settings, education and practice across the United Kingdom.
What credentials and location are listed?
The counsellor holds BACP registration and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported and can international clients join?
Sessions are offered in English and Italian, and international clients can be supported via online sessions.
What session formats are available?
Therapy can take place via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs.
How are costs handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with this counsellor?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.