Francesca Sciandra

Hello, I’m Francesca, an integrative therapist, psychotherapeutic counsellor, hypnotherapist, and coach. I help my clients create calm, authentic, and joyful lives.

My journey into the world of therapy and counselling began with a profound desire to understand the human mind and its incredible capacity for transformation. Early in my career, I realised that a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy wasn’t sufficient for addressing individuals’ complex and unique challenges. This realisation led me to pursue an integrative and pluralistic path that blends multiple therapeutic modalities.

In addition to offering 1 to 1 sessions with clients, I create resources and write about mental well-being and healing. If you’d like to know when I share new blog posts and resources (including free meditation audios), sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter.

My specialisms

I have experience helping my clients explore and resolve a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, low self-confidence, loneliness, anger, and sleep problems.

I also support my clients with relationship difficulties, including exploring attachment patterns and overcoming anxious attachment. I help those experiencing sexual issues, including sexual shame and female sexual difficulties.

Additionally, I support processing and integrating psychedelic experiences and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

To support the development of other practitioners, I provide one-to-one and group supervision for hypnotherapists. I’m a registered acknowledged supervisor with the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), and I offer supervision for trainees, those newly-registered, and experienced hypnotherapists.

What therapy looks like with me

I bring an accepting, supportive, and open-minded approach to therapy.

My approach is integrative, which means I draw from various methods and frameworks to support your exploration and change. I use a person-centred approach, which allows our work to focus on what’s most important to you. I am trained in and practice humanistic counselling, psychodynamic therapy, hypnotherapy, somatic methods, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and mindfulness approaches.

I help with various issues and tailor therapy to my clients’ needs. If you have any questions about our process together, you can ask me anytime.

Sessions typically happen weekly at a set time that works for both of us. I offer daytime and evening availability.

The keys to successful therapy

Research consistently shows that a key factor in successful therapy is the quality and depth of the relationship that develops between the client and the therapist. Studies have also shown that it’s important for the therapist to adapt to the client’s preferences, characteristics, and culture.

I will always do my best to understand you, your experiences, and your challenges without making any assumptions or judgements.

Ethics and standards of care

My practice follows the codes of ethics and standards of practice of the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I receive ongoing supervision from a UKCP registered supervisor.

Registrations

• Registered Hypnotherapist & Acknowledged Supervisor, General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR)

• Associate Member, The National Society of Talking Therapies (NSTT)

Primary Qualifications

• Diploma in Hypno-Psychotherapeutic Counselling, The National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy

• Diploma in Analytical Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, Jacquelyne Morison Hypnotherapy Training — accredited by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC) and Accredited Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH)

• Diploma in Mindfulness Life Coaching, The Centre for Mindfulness — accredited by the International Authority for Coaching and Mentoring (IAPC&M)

Additional Training & Certifications

• Foundations of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Beckley Academy

• Certificate in Hypnotherapy Supervision, Yorkshire Hypnotherapy Training — approved by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC)

• Certificate in Trauma Informed Practice, Holistic Trauma Course, The Weekend University

• Dreaming on Purpose with Luigi Sciambarella, The National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy

• Postgraduate Program, Visual Art and Art History of Catalunya, Syracuse University, Barcelona

Continuing Professional Development

To support my ongoing learning, I regularly attend continuing education courses and programs, including:

• Freud and Jung on Dreams with Keith Barrett, Freud Museum London

• Clinical Hypnosis in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders with David B. Reid, PsyD, The Chicago School

• Psychoanalysis after Freud: Donald Winnicott and ‘Playing and Reality’ with Keith Barrett, Freud Museum London

• Re-thinking Depression: Insights Emerging from Hard Times with Michael Yapko, Ph.D., The Chicago School

• Trauma, Dissociation and the Body with Dr. Pat Ogden, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute

• Introduction to Liberation Psychologies for Social Justice with Sylwia Korsak, Therapy and Social Change Seminar

• Psychedelics and the Mind, University of California, Berkeley, edX

• How Trauma Shapes our Attachment Style with Dr Diane Poole Heller

• How to Cultivate a State of Safety with Dr Stephen Porges

• Trust in your Self with Internal Family Systems (IFS) with Dr Richard Schwartz

• Psychedelic Integration: An Evening with Marc B. Aixalà, The Maudsley Psychedelic Society

• Childhood Adversity: The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Mental Health, University College London

• Drug Use and Harm Reduction, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

• Too Much of Nothing: The Quiet Trauma of Neglect with Ruth Cohn MFT

• Political Movements and Decentering Privilege with Dr Orna Guralnik, Therapy and Social Change Seminar

• Working at Relational Depth in Psychotherapy with Mick Cooper

• Polyvagal Theory, Addiction & Trauma with Jan Winhall

• Holistic Psychotherapy Summit, Weekend University

• The Still Point with Kim Gillingham & Meeting the Dream, Creative Dreamwork

• Therapeutic Arts for Helping Professionals, Arts in Health Institute

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Palouse Mindfulness

Get in touch

If you are ready to take the next step, book a consultation with me here.

Learn more about how I can help, sign up for my newsletter, or contact me.