Dr. Alina Charnavusava
Expert Psychologist in Gestalt therapyI dedicate my life to integrating a wide range of psychotherapeutic methods, synthesizing my professional and personal experiences. I offer psychological sessions to individuals and couples facing relational and emotional conflicts, as well as communication difficulties. I guide people through a process of awareness that helps them discover their own creative ways of navigating life.
Through your psychotherapeutic journey, you can recognize and let go of limiting thoughts and expectations, learning to approach existential challenges in a new way and begin creating the life you desire.
I believe that every challenge in life is a great opportunity for personal growth!
My Experience
During my years of professional practice, I have accumulated extensive experience in various fields, each of which has contributed to my integrative psychotherapeutic approach. I have dedicated myself to refining a psychotherapeutic method that integrates Clinical Psychology, Gestalt Therapy, Art Therapy, and Neuroscience.
Professional Experience and Professional Registrations
I am a licensed psychologist registered with the professional Italian Association of Psychologists (No. 27195). I trained at the University of Rome “La Sapienza,” where I obtained a Master’s degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. I enhanced my studies with a specialization in Gestalt Therapy at the Gestalt Institute of Florence (IGF) and Art Therapy training at EEAT. These specializations allow me to diversify therapeutic tools according to the needs of each person who comes to me.
I have attended various conferences and seminars led by Paolo Quattrini, Jean-Marie Robine, and Olivero Rossi, for which I am infinitely grateful. These experiences allowed me to delve into crucial psychological topics and enrich my practice as a Gestalt psychotherapist.
Research and Mindfulness
In my scientific study on “the benefits of Mindfulness on well-being,” I explored the neurological changes induced by Mindfulness meditation in individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. Practically, I conducted Mindfulness meditation sessions in Gestalt groups, introducing participants to meditation and guiding them towards mental peace, greater self-awareness, and personal growth.
Community Support and Humanitarian Work
I have dedicated considerable time to providing psychological support to immigrants and refugees while working with the Red Cross. I aimed to help these individuals rebuild their lives and find balance in a new environment and different culture. This experience allowed me to engage with marginalized communities in promoting psychophysical well-being through a transcultural approach, mental health, and to further understand the value of diversity in society.
Corporate Experience
I enriched my professional experience with an internship on “individuals and organizations” at ENEL. Here, I analyzed psychological dynamics in groups, planned corporate activities, and organized wellness events to help managers improve their skills. This experience provided me with new insights into relational dynamics and the importance of fostering employee well-being.
Work in Education
I have worked in schools with children from foreign families, children with disabilities, and learning difficulties. My role was to help these students integrate and develop communication skills, ensuring they received the support they needed to grow academically and socially.
Intercultural Seminars and Workshops
I collaborate in organizing intercultural seminars in Italy aimed at improving psychophysical well-being through Eastern practices and traditional Chinese medicine. These seminars combine different cultures and introduce ancient techniques aimed at enhancing physical and mental health, providing concrete tools to address numerous health-related issues.
I also lead Gestalt groups and Art Therapy workshops in Rome, focusing on various psychological topics. Through these sessions, participants gain fundamental skills to improve relationships with themselves and others, enhance life quality, increase awareness in interpersonal relationships, develop better emotional regulation, and stimulate creativity.
I provide psychological services in Italian, English, and Russian, leveraging my international experience and clinical expertise to promote well-being and personal development.
My Method
HOW THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESS UNFOLDS
Most psychological suffering emerges during existential crises or transitional periods. When we face significant changes in life — such as loss, career changes, or new relationships — the coping strategies we’ve developed in the past may no longer be effective. However, we often continue to apply them automatically, unaware of how different the present situation is from the past.
This disconnect between what we do and what we are experiencing in the “here and now” is a main source of discomfort. Instead of responding to current situations in new ways, we tend to use old patterns that hinder us from effectively addressing present circumstances. This can manifest as anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, or a general feeling of being stuck.
Gestalt therapy, which I apply in the therapeutic relationship, aims to bring these automatic patterns to light and develop a deeper awareness of how an individual relates to themselves and the world around. Through open dialogue and the exploration of present experiences, I help individuals become aware of their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and hidden aspects of themselves, and how these influence their way of living.
In Gestalt, much of the work focuses on the present moment — the “here and now.” This approach allows to break the cycle of unconscious habits and explore new ways of being, acting, and relating. It’s not just about analyzing the past, but understanding how past experiences shape your current life and how you can transform them to better adapt to the present.
The body plays a crucial role in this process. My approach doesn’t limit itself to working only with the mind; it also involves the body as a tool for awareness. Through body listening exercises, imaginative techniques like the “empty chair,” mobilisation energetically postures, body movements, breathing techniques, and mindfulness, the person in therapy can discover how their emotions and thoughts manifest physically and learn to use this awareness to break free from old dysfunctional patterns.
I integrate Art therapy within the Gestalt approach as an additional channel for creative exploration. Expressive techniques such as intuitive drawing, mindful dance, and metaphorical associative cards (MAC) allow for the expression of deep experiences that often don’t find words, promoting a sense of discovery and integration.
In this transformative process, the therapist is not a judge or a teacher, but a companion on the journey, guiding you through a path of growth and self-discovery in a safe space.
