Rate Dario De Gaetanis

I have a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Psychology and am a licensed counsellor both in the UK and Italy, with more than 10 years of professional work experience, specialising in mindfulness-based counselling. I also work as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) in a primary school.

Mindfulness is at the core of my counselling practice as I am also an experienced practitioner of the Buddhist Dharma and Vipassana Meditation.

Mindfulness Counselling is an integrative approach to therapy that has its roots in psychology, mainly in the humanistic-existential, psychodynamic and transpersonal models, as well as in ancient Buddhist psychology.

Regarding Western psychology, methodology and techniques are drawn from various therapeutic approaches such as Client-Centred Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Gestalt therapy and Psychosynthesis.

As far as Buddhism is concerned, Mindfulness Counselling is based on the most important teachings in Buddhist psychology about how to train and purify the mind and overcome mental suffering.

Practising Mindfulness Counselling means:

- Reaching a space where you can feel free to express yourself.

- Returning to your basic reality—your body—where repressed feelings and emotions are stored.

- Feeling that all your feelings, emotions, and thoughts are welcomed and deeply understood.

- Finding an ideal and relaxed place where you can be profoundly listened to.

- Discovering your inner resources and your real self.

- Starting a process of natural mental and physical healing.

The therapeutic benefits of this approach include:

- Enhanced Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness techniques help individuals become more aware of their emotional states, allowing them to manage their responses more effectively.

- Reduced Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and Anger: Mindfulness has been shown to decrease the symptoms of anxiety and depression by promoting a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment.

- Improved Focus and Concentration: Regular mindfulness practice can enhance concentration and focus, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving skills.

- Increased Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance: By fostering a deeper understanding of oneself, mindfulness-based counselling helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings without self-criticism.

- Enhanced Coping Skills: This approach equips clients with tools to handle stress and adversity more effectively.

- Promotion of Overall Well-being: Integrating mindfulness into counselling supports holistic well-being by addressing both mental and physical health.

It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards change. I am here to support and empower you on that journey.