I am Chiara Virgilio
In a sea of quick-fix coaching and generic counselling, I bring a rare depth of expertise to London. My practice is built on the rigorous tradition of Italian Psychoanalysis combined with modern Neurodivergent Strategy. I don't just help you cope; I offer a sophisticated clinical framework that connects your deep unconscious patterns with the practical demands of your life.
My practice is grounded in a commitment to professional ethics and standards. I am a graduate member of the BPS (British Psychological Society), the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), and Italy’s Ordine degli Psicologi del Lazio. I’m listed in Psychology Today Directory. I’m a certified ADHD Coach and I’m part of ADHD works Directory.
My clinical roots are grounded in depth psychology and existential psychotherapy. While I provide practical ADHD coaching, my therapeutic work goes beneath the surface, helping you explore the unconscious patterns, profound griefs, and deeper 'why' behind your current struggles.
A Lifelong Dedication
My expertise is not a recent pivot; it is the result of a lifelong academic dedication to the human mind. My training didn't start at university, it began at age 14 at the 'Margherita di Castelví' High School specialising in Social Sciences, Psychology and Education.
This foundation immersed me in Psychology, Pedagogy, Sociology, and extensive studies in Ethology (the study of animal behaviour). This scientific rigour was so profound that, when it came time to choose my career, I was torn between the biological lens of Ethology and the clinical depth of PsychologyI chose the latter, but I never lost that systemic perspective. I was already studying at 14 years old how the mind develops, adapts, and survives. Today, I bring that rigorous Italian foundation to London, combining deep analysis with practical neurodivergent strategy.
Degree in Clinical Psychology (LUMSA, Rome) I completed a comprehensive 5-year academic path in Clinical Psychology, graduating with honours. This provided me with a rock-solid foundation in developmental psychology and clinical pathology.
Specialist in Group Psychotherapy (COIRAG) I completed a rigorous 4-year postgraduate specialisation at one of Europe's most prestigious institutions for Group Psychotherapy and Institutional Analysis. This training goes far beyond standard talk therapy; it is a deep dive into how complex systems, groups, and individuals interact.
Mastery of Action (SIPSA & Apeiron) Trained in Analytical Psychodrama (Gennie et Paul Lemoine), I use active methods to move beyond words. This allows me to help clients 'act out' and resolve trauma in the hic et nunc, rather than just discussing it abstractly.
Certified ADHD Coach (ADHD Works) Trained by ADHD Works, I bridge the gap between deep therapy and executive function strategy. This allows me to provide concrete tools for neurodivergent minds, ensuring that psychological insight translates into actual, practical change.
Why Structure Needs Depth
You might wonder why a rigorous Analyst is also an ADHD Coach. The answer is simple: Structure needs Depth.
Standard coaching often fails because it ignores the emotional root. Standard therapy often fails because it lacks concrete strategy.
Because of my COIRAG training, I can hold the complexity of your emotions. Because of my Pedagogical background, I can teach you how your brain actually learns. I address both the deep Why and the practical How.
A Space to Navigate Your Inner and Outer Worlds
I offer specialist psychotherapy and ADHD coaching to support you through profound life challenges. My approach is always neuro-affirming and culturally sensitive, recognizing that your experience is unique.
We can work together on:
1. Navigating Your ADHD Brain This is the foundation of our practical work. We move from feeling "stuck" to feeling capable, with support for:
Executive Functions: Concrete strategies for time management, organisation, and overcoming procrastination.
Anxiety & Emotional Regulation: Tools to manage the specific anxiety, emotional intensity, and Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) that often come with an ADHD brain.
Focus & Well-being: Building routines and systems that work with your brain, not against it, to reduce burnout and sustain deep transformative work.
2. Managing Life's Major Transitions & Crossroads Change is hard. For a brain wired for novelty yet sensitive to uncertainty, it can be overwhelming. I provide a supportive space to explore:
Relocation & Cultural Adjustment: Drawing on a decade of experience with the international community in London.
Major Life Decisions: Finding clarity and confidence at career, relationship, or identity crossroads.
Existential Concerns: Exploring deeper questions of meaning, purpose, and belonging when you feel adrift.
3. Healing from Difficult Experiences Our past experiences shape our present. I offer a safe, trauma-informed environment to gently process:
Loss & Grief: Navigating bereavement, relationship endings, or the loss of a past identity, and learning to grow around grief.
Trauma: Acknowledging the unique impact of traumatic events on your well-being and finding a path toward recovery and safety.
Therapy in English & Italian My dedication to understanding diverse experiences is central to my work. I offer a safe, culturally sensitive environment for therapy in both English and Italian.
Who already worked with me said: