Manuela Forina

Manuela Forina is a dedicated Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist in training with the London Diploma in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy. She works within The Awareness Centre’s low cost counselling service in Clapham. Manuela is a CORST member (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists) and is also currently working in the NHS for the Talking Therapy as a Career Coach, supporting people with enduring mental health issues. In this capacity, Manuela collaborates with CBT therapists, counsellors, well-being practitioners and social care professionals in providing joined-up mental health care, ensuring that each client feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential in life and career matters. In this role, Manuela deals with neurodivergent clients as well as people with anxiety, depression, deep low self-esteem issues, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, Dyslexia, LTC, the spectrum, disabilities or other mental health conditions.

As a Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist, Manuela aims to create a compassionate and non-judgmental dialogue by offering a safe space for clients, singles and couples, who want to explore their concerns and work towards a healthier, more fulfilling sex life. Manuela is also committed to celebrate diversity and inclusion by helping individuals in experiencing positive sexuality more easily and embrace the beauty of their nature as an added value rather than perceiving it as a source of trauma or anxiety.

Manuela’s therapeutic approach is mainly integrative, combining CBT techniques, somatic, existential, and psychodynamic tools with counselling/ life coaching elements and the incorporation of solution-focused activities. This holistic approach allows Manuela to support clients in their therapeutic journey by creating a profound alliance and the freedom to explore gradually small changes and gently challenge unwanted situations or habits. Manuela works with individuals and couples and deals with a wide range of issues, which include relationship and communication issues, sexual dysfunctions, low sexual desire, body image concerns, sexual trauma or shame, low self-esteem, addictions, anxiety/ depression, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Alongside her career in mental health, Manuela’s background is also in human resources/recruitment, and she has worked for several years as a life/career coach in the public and private sectors.

Manuela speaks fluently English and Italian