Somatic-Therapists

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Francesca Polini, BACP

Somatic-informed counsellor with an international perspective

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FP Portrait of Francesca Polini

About Francesca

Francesca Polini is a counsellor who uses somatic ideas alongside talking therapies to help people feel steadier in their bodies and minds. She works in English and Italian and draws on five years of clinical experience in the United Kingdom. Francesca keeps sessions focused and practical so people can notice small changes week to week.

She brings an international perspective from having lived in several countries. That background informs how she listens for cultural differences and how values shape identity.

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Background and approach

Francesca uses this when people are adjusting to life changes or trying to untangle old patterns. Her approach blends attachment-based thinking with client-centred care. That means attention to early relationship patterns and a focus on each person’s experience in the moment.

Hypnotherapy and Jungian ideas also appear when they suit a person's needs and readiness for deeper exploration. Francesca commonly helps with stress, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and the effects of trauma and abuse. She also works with concerns such as abandonment, attachment issues, caregiving stress, chronic illness and body image struggles.

Sessions aim to increase self-awareness and build coping skills that fit everyday life. Practical arrangements include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging. The cost varies with location and the service uses a cancellable subscription model.

To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions that suit them.

How somatic and attachment approaches work online

Francesca uses Somatic Therapy to help people notice and work with sensations in the body as part of emotional change. This approach can be useful for stress, anxiety, trauma reactions and chronic tension where bodily habits keep problems active.

She also uses Attachment-Based Therapy to look at how early relationship patterns affect current feelings and choices. That work helps people understand repeating patterns in close relationships and build different ways of relating.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Francesca will talk with each person about their goals, preferences and comfort level, and then try methods that fit. She works collaboratively so the therapy adjusts as progress or new needs arise.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat and text messaging to make therapy flexible. These formats help people fit sessions around work, family and travel, and allow continuity when in-person meetings are not possible. Registered or accredited professionals can deliver the same range of approaches online, with options to move between formats as needs change.
Explore online therapy options See what online therapy involves and what your next steps would be on BetterHelp.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she work with?
Francesca helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem. She also supports those affected by trauma, relationship concerns and a range of related issues such as attachment and caregiving stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style combines somatic awareness with attachment-based and client-centred approaches. She also draws on hypnotherapy and Jungian ideas when these match a person’s needs.
What is her professional background?
She has five years of clinical experience working in the United Kingdom and brings international life experience into her practice. That background informs how she understands culture and identity in therapy.
Where is she based and what credentials does she hold?
She works in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, noted as BACP.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English and Italian. She is also able to work with clients who connect from other countries.
What formats are offered for online sessions?
Therapy is available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. People can choose the format that best fits their needs and lifestyle.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. After that you can schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
5 years
Licensed
Languages
English, Italian