Your Path to Wellbeing
"What is life for? Life is for you."
~A. Maslow
Negative thoughts and inner blockades make it sometimes impossible to live a fulfilled and happy life.
I help you dissolve these blockades and recognise your own potential in order to live a whole life, in harmony with yourself and your values.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Enhancing lives
Psychological Counsellor
Francesca Valentini
For me, the mission to help people find their inner strength began a long time ago.
For many years, I lived and worked in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Morocco before making Zurich my home in 2019.
During this time, I earned two master's degrees and a Swiss Federal Diploma in Psychological Counseling. I then opened my practice in the center of Zurich, where I have been working with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds ever since.
As a therapist and psychological counsellor, my goal is to provide you with the tools to live a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Psychological Counselling
My Work
My goal is to help my clients live a happy life - and to release inner blockages along the way. The sooner we can dissolve blockages, the sooner a healthy relationship with others and with ourselves becomes possible - one of the most important prerequisites for a fulfilling life.
To recognize blockages and negative thought patterns, an unbiased and fresh "view from the outside" often helps. This view allows me to see connections between experiences my clients have had in the past and current thought or behavior patterns that are affecting their lives.
I am also convinced that blockages cannot be solved in a purely intellectual way. Therefore, an essential part of the work I do with my clients is to allow emotional pain to come to the surface, and to accept that it exist. Through this work, such emotions drastically lose intensity, and one can move forward much faster. In the words of G.C. Jung, "We cannot change anything until we accept it".
Many of us lack a healthy relationship with our own vulnerability. We shy away from expressing feelings and thoughts that are commonly thought of as weak or intimate. We don't want our vulnerable parts to surface - even though they are often nothing more than an expression of love, humanity and closeness. Yet hidden in vulnerability is the key to healthy relationships. When we learn to communicate our feelings and thoughts in a comfortable way, our relationships improve as a result. As a psychological counsellor in Zurich, I offer a pathway to unlocking these deeper connections.
My Specialization
As a therapist and counselor, I am an accredited professional with a deep understanding of human psychology and a passion for helping others.
Personalized Approach
I believe that therapy should be as unique as you are, which is why I utilize a diverse range of psychological interventions, tailored specifically to meet your individual needs.
Confidential Space
Your privacy and comfort are paramount. I uphold the strictest standards of confidentiality and ensure a safe, non-judgmental space.
Central Location
Conveniently located in the heart of Zurich, my office is easily accessible by public transport. Just 300 meters from the central station and 50 meters from the tram stop „Central“.
Healing & Growth
My Practice
My practice
My practice is located at Therapy Central, Limmatquai 138, 8001 Zurich, offering a peaceful and accessible space right along the Limmat River. The practice is easily reachable, situated next to the Central tram station, making it convenient for those traveling within the city.
Inside
Inside, the space is thoughtfully designed with cozy seating, warm tones, and modern decor, creating a comfortable and inviting environment for therapy sessions. Whether you’re seeking individual, couples, or teen therapy, the calm setting supports a positive therapeutic experience.
Service Offered
My Expertise
Support your mental health with therapy.
Adults Therapyin Zurich & online
Embark on a one-on-one journey to self-discovery with me, your expert therapist. Tailored to meet your unique needs, my individual therapy sessions are designed to foster your personal growth, emotional healing, and improved mental health.
Couples Counseling in Zurich & online
Strengthen your relationship through my professional counseling services here in Zurich. I specialize in addressing marital and relationship issues, helping couples like you navigate through communication barriers, conflicts, and emotional disconnect.
Teenager Therapyin Zurich & online
Discover a supportive pathway tailored for adolescents in my therapy sessions. I provide a safe and nurturing environment where teenagers can explore their thoughts and emotions, gain self-awareness, and develop coping strategies. I work with identity issues, peer pressure, and academic stress, fostering resilience and a positive sense of self.
Your mental health needs.
Get treatment for all your mental healthcare needs
Stress & Burnout
Stress is a natural response to pressure, but when prolonged, it can lead to burnout—a state of emotional and physical exhaustion. People suffering from burnout often feel drained, disconnected, and unable to cope with daily tasks. Therapy provides tools to manage stress, restore balance, and prevent further burnout. With ACT, I assist you in redefining your relationship with stress and cultivating mindfulness to better handle challenging situations.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of constant worry, unease, or dread that can affect daily life. People experiencing anxiety often feel overwhelmed, tense, and unable to control their thoughts.
Therapy can help by offering strategies to manage these emotions and regain control. Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I help you embrace anxious thoughts without letting them define you, empowering you to take actions aligned with your values
Depressive Moods
Depression is often accompanied by anxiety and manifests as persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation. Therapy helps identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones. By incorporating ACT, I guide you in accepting painful emotions and shifting your focus to meaningful activities that can improve your mood and overall well-being.
Relationship Issues
Relationship problems can arise from communication breakdowns, unmet expectations, or emotional distance. These issues often leave people feeling disconnected, frustrated, or hurt. Therapy offers a safe space to explore these difficulties and work towards rebuilding trust and intimacy. With ACT, I support you in learning new ways to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts, fostering healthier and more fulfilling relationships.
Low Self-Esteem & People-Pleasing
Low self-esteem often manifests as a constant need for validation from others or difficulty standing up for oneself. People with low self-worth may struggle with setting boundaries or people-pleasing behaviors. Therapy helps you build a stronger sense of self and develop healthier boundaries. Using ACT, I assist you in challenging limiting beliefs and cultivating self-acceptance, allowing you to live more authentically.
Personal Development
Personal development is about growing into your fullest potential and overcoming internal blockages that may be holding you back. Whether you seek to improve confidence, emotional intelligence, or your overall outlook, therapy can help you gain the insights and tools needed for growth. I guide you through this journey using ACT, helping you align your actions with your personal goals and values.
About Me
My Approach
My mission
My Approach towards clients
As a behavioral therapist, I help you identify and transform negative beliefs, emotions, and behaviors using structured, sience-based techniques, supporting you at your own pace to achieve your personal goals.
One of the primary approaches I use is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is designed to help you embrace your thoughts and feelings while pursuing a rich and meaningful life.
ACT is a powerful and practical approach that teaches you to embrace your thoughts and emotions rather than fighting them. This approach allows you to live a more fulfilling life, even when faced with pain and stress.
The beauty of it is that, once you learn the basics of the approach, you will be able to apply them to any future challenging situation in life. As a therapist based in Zurich, I would be honoured to help you directly and first-hand in learning such important new skills.
How does ACT therapy work?
My goal is to help you live a life free from unwanted influences, becoming the master of your own mind and behaviors—achieving psychological flexibility.
We achieve this by working through six key components:
Empowerment or Acceptance, Cognitive Defusion, Mindful Practices, Self-as-Context, Values, and Committed Action.
These components are explored through both dialogue and practical exercises.
Conversations help us delve into your past and present, thoughts and feelings, beliefs, identity, and behaviors.
Practical exercises allow you to apply what you've learned in real-life situations, fostering lasting change.
Psychological flexibility means adapting to situations with openness, staying present, and taking actions aligned with your values, even when facing difficult emotions or thoughts.
By developing this flexibility, you'll navigate life's ups and downs with resilience and maintain a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Through ACT, you'll be empowered to handle life's challenges with greater ease and move towards a more purpose-driven life.