Annamaria “Anna” Carullo

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Clinical Lead

Anna is a psychodynamic counsellor and psychotherapist with more than 25 years’ experience supporting children, teenagers, adults and families.

Warm, compassionate and down-to-earth, she brings humour and flexibility into her work, helping people feel comfortable enough to explore experiences that may previously have felt overwhelming or difficult to express.

Experience

Anna has spent the majority of her career supporting children, adolescents and families across a broad mix of therapeutic, educational and residential settings.

Her early work included supporting vulnerable young people within residential children’s homes and specialist education settings, where she developed significant experience working with trauma, abuse, attachment difficulties and complex emotional needs.

She later worked in family support and community services, before going on to work with 4YP, supporting teenagers experiencing a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties.

Since qualifying as a psychodynamic counsellor, Anna has worked in private practice supporting people struggling with:

Anxiety and depression
Trauma and the effects of abuse or neglect
Attachment and relationship difficulties
Eating disorders
Self-harm
School avoidance
Difficulties managing strong emotions
Identity and self-esteem

Anna also has extensive experience working with LGBTQ+ young people and adults, including those exploring questions around gender and identity. She also works thoughtfully with neurodivergent clients, particularly those with ADHD and autism.

Alongside her psychodynamic work, she draws on mindfulness, systemic family therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and solution-focused work, depending on the needs of the individual or family.

She is also a qualified Freedom Programme facilitator, with experience of supporting people affected by domestic abuse and coercive control.

Qualifications and training

MA Psychodynamic Counselling – University of Essex
BA (Hons) Therapeutic Communication and Therapeutic Organisations – University of Essex
Qualified Freedom Programme Facilitator
Training in Systemic Family Therapy
Training in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Training in Mindfulness and Integrative approaches
Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

Anna’s approach

Anna believes emotional difficulties often develop when feelings become too overwhelming, confusing or unsafe to openly express. Her work helps people understand what might be sitting behind their struggles.

She knows therapy can feel daunting at first and that building trust takes time, so she never expects anyone to open up before they’re ready.

Anna tailors the way she works depending on the person in front of her. That might mean simply talking, taking a creative approach or involving the wider family where helpful.