I’m Anna Valfredi, I was born and raised in Milan, Italy, where I graduated in Clinical and Developmental Psychology at the University of Milano-Bicocca, with a thesis about the well being of Foreign Unaccomapigned Minors. Since 2019 I’m working as a Clinical Psychologist at the clinic runned by Opera San Francesco per i Poveri, a facility whose aim is to assess medical and psychological needs of foreign people and patients whit economical difficulties. There I offer sessions for psychological support to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking. This experience has helped me, first of all, deepening my knowledge of the English language (C1 level) and, in addition, to improve my ability to actively listening and explore the cultural elements belonging to each person’s country, personal and family story.
While working there, I constantly focus on my educational studies. I obtained in 2019 a post-graduate specialization in Psychology of Emergency, with a particular focus on topics such as “migratory trauma, stress related to the period of adaption in a new country and the well being of foreign people”. After that course, I had the possibility to work for a semester as a psychologist in a shelter for refugees.
In 2020, I obtained a post-graduate specialization in Psychodiagnosis. Therefor, I often use psychodiagnostic tools and test during my clinical work, such as drawings, family-genograms, family life-space, Rorschach test, TAT test, MMPI, and others personality inventories.
Nowadays, I attend a school of specialization in psychodynamic psychotherapy (Area G – Milano), focused on adolescents and adults. Thanks to this experience, I work as a trainee in a counseling center (Ospedale Policlinico di Milano, Consultorio di via Pace 15, Zona 1) where I receive mostly adolescent patients.
My work approach foresees a first period of psychological consultation, consisting of interviews during which I explore the user’s request and assess their psychological needs (possibly, with the use of psychodiagnostic tools). Following this first moment of mutual acquaintance, if necessary, I offer psychological support through weekly interviews. I’m available to schedule interviews both in my personal studio, based in Milan (zona Repubblica) or though Skype or other virtual platforms.
I’m familiar with topic related with trauma, culture shock, homesickness, anxiety, depression, anger, personality disorders and psychological stress in general. My studies have influenced my particular interest and my attention to topics related with adolescence and the age of the young-adult (20-30 years). For this reason, I have professional experience working with young people presenting difficulties and specific conflicts related with this stage of their life (such as: problems at school, bullying, self harm, identity difficulties, low self-esteem related stress and others).
During the last year, thanks to my professional experiences and studies, I have reached a specific comprehension of the effects of the pandemic on the psychological functioning and well-being. Hence, I’m available to discuss together with my patients about the consequences of this complex period.
I believe that the empathic relationship is the most successful psychological tool in the rapport between the psychologist and the patient, which is why I hope to be able to build mutual feelings of trust and respect with every person I meet.
I have studied abroad in Poland for a semester and I had the chance to travel for personal pleasure and for volunteers reasons. I spent some time in Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania and India for volunteer purposes, and I believe all of these experiences made me every time more and more curious about other cultures. I’m appassionate of photography and for this reason I appreciate to work with my patients also with the use of images and other forms of art, such as music and writings.
I am an English-speaking Psychologist based Milan, Italy. I’m specialised in psychological support for teenagers and adults.
Overall
Anna is warm and welcoming. She let me be myself and I opened up about a lot of issues. She has been supportive throughout my journey and she has been very therapeutic. She also gave me the space to heal and I started to notice there were positive changes happening in my life. I am so grateful for her.
