Miss Giulia Fiore

A conversation with Giulia Fiore

• What led you to choose psychotherapy or counselling as a profession?

  I recently graduated from University with a degree in Marketing and Public Relations when I realised that I wasn't fulfilled and needed a change. Travelling I came across coaching and found my passion. Helping others is incredibly fulfilling and gives me meaning in life. I am extremely passionate about learning methods to improve wellbeing, enhance performance and build stronger relationships.

• Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional development?

  Stoicism is the philosophy that resonates with my life beliefs the most. Aligned with stoic principles, I learned to focus on what is in my control and accept what is not within my control.

• Which particular aspects of health or the human journey are you interested in?

  I am particularly interested in psychology and mental health to improve general wellbeing, performance and relationships. I use the biopsychosocial model understanding the interconnection between biology, psychology, and socio-environmental factors. I believe that there are many different elements that influence our mental states; my job as a counsellor and coach is to help people see patterns and connections to find effective solutions.

• What methods do you use?

  My favourite therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Nevertheless, I have an integrated approach for both counselling and coaching. This means that I use techniques from different schools to best serve my clients. Some of the approaches I integrate in my practice include Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Positive Psychology, Narrative Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy. I'm also passionate about the use of different tests, such as the ones to identify someone's strengths and personality patterns.

• When do you think the client will start to feel that progress is being made?

  Progress is made from increasing self-awareness and adopting more helpful behaviours and thinking patterns. Some level of progress can emerge even before the first session, when someone makes the empowering decision to seek help; it creates a sense of hope.
  I generally see my clients for a minimum of 4 sessions, that is the number I found to be the most adequate to produce long-lasting positive effects.

• How has therapy made a difference in your life?

  Both receiving and providing therapy has helped my life. Receiving therapy has enabled me to identify blind spots and make connections I couldn't see on my own. Providing therapy to others made my life meaningful; when I see my clients improving their mental health, and achieving their desired goals, I feel part of their journey and success.

• What do you like most about being a therapist?

  I love seeing my clients improving their lives. I love to provide a safe and hopeful space for them to share their thoughts, feelings and events. I love to hear other people's stories and apply counselling and coaching skills to help them become more self-aware, energised and hopeful.

• Do you ever have 'bad hair' days?

  Of course, I am human. It is unrealistic to think that as humans, we are never going to experience pain. Nevertheless, I have learned effective skills to manage my thoughts and actions in order to address my feelings.

• What do you think is the most significant problem we face, in the world today?

  I think that social isolation is probably the most predominant problem in western culture. To achieve individualistic goals, we have downplayed the importance of relationships. Furthermore, the increase in social media usage made people more attentive to their phones than to the people around them. Being present and connected in today's world can be challenging but it is not impossible.

• Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

  The laws of human nature from Robert Greene is the last book I have read and it was very insightful. It helped me understand human nature and its laws on a deeper level.