I am a psychologist and psychodynamic psychotherapist chartered and registered with the Lombardia Regional Council of Psychologist.
I graduated with a degree in Clinical and Health Psychology from the Università Vita Salute San Raffaele in Milan and I majored in psychotherapy particularly focussing on working with pre-adolescents, adolescents and adults. I also have a master’s degree in Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychology.
I have worked for Public Psychiatric Services as well as Multi-Specialist Medical Center and Rehabilitation Center carrying out individual and group psychotherapies and psychological assessments (intelligence, personality and neuropsychological tests).
I have always taken care of several emotional and psychological difficulties such as anxiety, panic disorder, depression, relational problems, personality disorders, new addictions and difficulties concerning life cycle phases (learning difficulties, adolescent uneasiness, parenting role…).
Moreover, I attended several conferences and I published a few research papers in national and international journals.
In my work I make the person the center of my attention and I tailor the therapy based on his/her needs, capacities and unique characteristics.
During the first meetings I try to understand your background and current situation and in doing this I can make psychological assessment. Once this initial phase is complete, I return what I have learned about you and your difficulties. This is also a space where we establish therapeutic goals and what we are going to address and how.
The therapeutic experience is in fact a collaborative and constructed effort between two individuals sharing a common goal. I like to think of psychotherapy as a journey: sometimes exciting and challenging and sometimes hard, but we are travel companions.
My ongoing commitment is to provide an emphatic, listening and non judgmental relationship where you can feel free to say anything.
My goal is to help you finding your best balance by leveraging your resources and strengths.
I really love my work and I believe in the great help and benefits it could lead my clients to. I also think a key part of my job is the continuous vocational training in order to provide an evidence-based approach and to use new therapeutic techniques.
I am an English-speaking Therapist in Milan specialised in psychological therapies for adults, children, couples and teenagers.
Overall
Dr. Frera seems like a kind and compassionate person, but I felt she lacked the training and experience to deal with my situation. I have an illness that may be terminal. When a patient tells her therapist she is terrified she will die an agonizing death within a year, she needs much more than a sympathetic smile. When a patient says she might be better off committing suicide, she needs serious and immediate intervention, not mere a place to talk about her feelings. There are tecnniques and strategies for dealing with anxiety and fear, but Dr. Frera did not seem prepared to offer them. In addition, I am hard-of-hearing, and though I explained that problem to Dr. Frera, I had to repeatedly ask her to speak up. I asked at least five or six times, but she seemed unable to adjust her speech even slightly to accomodate my hearing loss. This is extremely important when working with hard-of-hearing patients. It only added to my stress.
Overall
I have been working with Dr Frera for about 2 years now and I am very happy to have found her. In our sessions, I feel safe, seen, and heard. Prior to working with Dr Frera, I had nearly sworn-off therapy after a few sessions with therapists that left me thinking, "I would rather keep being depressed than meet with them again" At no point during our sessions do I feel as though I have pulled Dr Frera beyond her depths - she is able to discuss, relate to, and offer insight into anything and everything that I come to her with. Our sessions run the gamut from very focused, if I have a particular topic in mind or am especially frayed emotionally, to less focused and conversational, when I don't have anything specific in mind. In all cases I feel comfortable and, as I said previously, safe to share and feel. Additionally, Dr Frera speaks English beautifully. At no point have I ever felt any sort of language barrier or as though I could not fully and articulately express myself to her. If you are looking for a therapist, I strongly suggest Dr Frera as I have had great success with her.
Overall
Fernanda is a good listener. She is so compassionate and understanding and she has spent so much time helping me navigate this difficult time in my life. I truly appreciate her perspectives and help.
