Blog

Essays and articles on attachment, inner child healing, relational patterns, couples dynamics, and therapeutic work. For ongoing explorations and personal reflections, subscribe to my newsletter ⟶

integrative therapy, couples therapy, relationships Francesca Sciandra integrative therapy, couples therapy, relationships Francesca Sciandra

Healing Attachment Injuries: When Emotional Safety Is Lost in Relationships

An attachment injury is a deeply distressing relational experience in which trust, emotional safety, or connection with your significant partner is suddenly broken. This can occur through betrayal, emotional abandonment, repeated unreliability, or moments when one partner feels unprotected. Attachment injuries can leave lasting emotional wounds that shape how people relate, respond to closeness, and experience safety in relationships.

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couples therapy, integrative therapy, relationships Francesca Sciandra couples therapy, integrative therapy, relationships Francesca Sciandra

How Couples Drift Apart: Emotional Distance in High-Functioning Relationships

Emotional distance often develops without a crisis, betrayal, or defining issue. In high-functioning couples, it can emerge gradually, through slight shifts in how partners respond to each other, how available they are emotionally, and how much vulnerability feels safe to share. Couples who experience this drifting apart frequently report that nothing is ‘wrong’ in any obvious way, yet something essential is missing.

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psychotherapy, integrative therapy, couples therapy Francesca Sciandra psychotherapy, integrative therapy, couples therapy Francesca Sciandra

Is Psychodynamic Therapy Right For You? Everything You Need To Know

Have you ever found yourself repeating the same patterns in relationships, even when you don’t want to? Or felt overwhelmed by emotions that seem to come from nowhere? Psychodynamic therapy offers a space to explore the deeper patterns and emotional experiences that shape how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world around us.

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couples therapy, integrative therapy, online therapy Francesca Sciandra couples therapy, integrative therapy, online therapy Francesca Sciandra

The First Couples Therapy Session: Structure, Focus, and Purpose

The first couples therapy session is a structured, 80-minute session designed to establish a shared understanding of what is happening in your relationship. It forms part of an assessment process, allowing me to understand your relational dynamics, current difficulties, and what has led you to seek therapy at this point.

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reparenting, inner parent, parts therapy Francesca Sciandra reparenting, inner parent, parts therapy Francesca Sciandra

How to Know if Your Inner Parent Needs Healing: A Guide to Self-Nurturing

Do you constantly criticise yourself for mistakes or imperfections? Do you neglect your basic needs (such as rest, nutrition, and health)? Are you overly permissive with yourself, lacking healthy limits and self-discipline? Do you find it difficult to celebrate your achievements? Are you uncomfortable practising self-compassion? If so, your inner parent may benefit from attention and healing.

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integrative therapy Francesca Sciandra integrative therapy Francesca Sciandra

Opportunities for Self-Discovery: The Healing Potential of Curiosity

When we’re struggling with challenging thoughts or feelings, our natural instinct is to push away the discomfort. We want solutions that will make the pain disappear as quickly as possible. This desire is completely understandable. Yet, as a therapist, I’ve found that lasting healing rarely comes from bypassing our problems or applying quick fixes. Instead, it emerges when we create a safe space to nurture our curiosity and genuinely understand ourselves and our experiences.

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Attachment Disrupted: The Impact Of Childhood Neglect On Adult Relationships

Have you ever wondered why certain patterns keep appearing in your relationships? Why trust feels so difficult, or why emotional intimacy sometimes seems impossible? The experiences we have as children, especially when they involve abuse or neglect, can leave lasting imprints on our hearts and minds.

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relationships, sex, integrative therapy, couples therapy Francesca Sciandra relationships, sex, integrative therapy, couples therapy Francesca Sciandra

Overcoming Sexual Shame: Discovering Safety, Pleasure, and Autonomy

Do you find yourself lying awake at night, wondering if you’ll ever feel truly comfortable in your intimate relationships? Perhaps you’re struggling with feelings of embarrassment or difficulties understanding your desires. Maybe you’re carrying the weight of past experiences that make it difficult to trust and connect with others. You’re not alone.

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reparenting, inner child Francesca Sciandra reparenting, inner child Francesca Sciandra

Healing Your Inner Teenager: How To Process Adolescent Wounds

Do you ever catch yourself reacting to situations with the same intensity you felt as a teenager? Perhaps you shrink in important meetings, feeling that same insecurity you experienced in high school. Or maybe you still hear that critical inner voice telling you you're not good enough – the one that first emerged during those turbulent teenage years.

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Does Online Therapy Work?: Exploring When It’s Right for You

Looking for therapy but wondering if online sessions would be a good fit for you? Deep, meaningful connections can happen just as naturally through a screen as they do in a therapy room. Online therapy offers a powerful way to work through challenges and grow while fitting seamlessly into your life.

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integrative therapy, hypnotherapy Francesca Sciandra integrative therapy, hypnotherapy Francesca Sciandra

How To Overcome Anxiety: A 3-Part Approach

Anxiety is a harsh reality for millions of people around the world. From excessive worrying and racing thoughts to crippling panic attacks and physical symptoms like a pounding heart and shortness of breath, anxiety can be debilitating. If you’re struggling with anxiety, you’re certainly not alone—but you also don’t have to accept it as a way of life. There is a path forward to overcome anxiety and reclaim a sense of calm and control.

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reparenting, inner child Francesca Sciandra reparenting, inner child Francesca Sciandra

How to Know if Your Inner Child Needs Healing

Do unresolved emotions or traumas from your past continue to influence your present-day reactions and choices? In the journey of self-discovery and personal growth, one important aspect to consider is the inner child—the part of ourselves that retains childhood memories, emotions, and beliefs. Our inner child influences our behaviours, relationships and emotional responses, profoundly shaping our adult lives. 

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inner child, reparenting Francesca Sciandra inner child, reparenting Francesca Sciandra

100 Inner Child Journal Prompts: Reparenting for Healing and Growth

Do you struggle with self-esteem or self-worth issues that seem to stem from childhood experiences? Are you prone to intense emotional reactions or triggers that seem disproportionate to the present situation? Are you interested in developing greater self-awareness and compassion toward yourself and others? Journaling is a powerful tool for reparenting and inner child healing.

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integrative therapy, mindfulness Francesca Sciandra integrative therapy, mindfulness Francesca Sciandra

Embodied Wisdom: An Exploration of Interoception

In the whirlwind of our daily lives, we often overlook the complex network of internal senses within us — the symphony of interoception. This collection of senses connects us to our internal world, where the rhythmic beats of our heartbeat, the gentle flow of our breath, and the subtle whispers of hunger harmonise to create a profound symphony of self-awareness.

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