Carlotta

Carlotta Ghirardelli, MSc

Psychologist

Verified

“I’m here to walk alongside you through life’s challenges, offering empathy & a space where you can truly be yourself. Together, we’ll untangle your experiences, uncover your inner strength & find clarity to move forward”

About Me

Originally from Italy, I’ve spent over 14 years in China and more than four years in the Netherlands. These experiences have shaped my understanding of identity, belonging, and the unique challenges that come with living abroad. I bring this perspective into my work, offering a compassionate and holistic approach to therapy. I became a therapist out of a strong belief in the healing power of human connection. For me, therapy is not just about solving problems but about helping you reconnect with your own strength and create meaningful change. Together, we’ll explore your experiences and work towards what feels authentic and fulfilling for you. I support individuals dealing with anxiety, depression, grief, stress, life transitions, and different forms of dependency—whether involving substances, relationships, or behaviors that feel difficult to manage. In our sessions, you'll find a safe, supportive space to reflect, grow, and move forward with clarity and confidence. Languages I speak: English, Italian

Approach

When you enter this space, you’ll be met with warmth and understanding—welcomed as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms or labels. Your experiences, strengths, and emotions are at the center of our work. Together, we’ll explore the challenges you're facing and build clarity, self-awareness, and resilience in a space where you feel truly heard and supported. A key part of the process involves slowing down and tuning into what’s happening for you in the present moment—your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This experiential focus, rooted in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), helps us gently explore and release difficult feelings, creating room for new insights and lasting change. I take a holistic and evidence-based approach, combining EFT with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Mindfulness, self-acceptance, and emotional awareness guide our work as we explore how past experiences shape your present and find new ways of living that feel more balanced, meaningful, and true to you.
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Basic Information

In-person & Online

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Services

I work with individuals facing a range of emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, stress, life transitions, and various forms of dependency —whether related to substances, behaviours, relationships, or other patterns that feel out of control. Together, we will work to identify what truly resonates with you and help you make decisions that align with your values, creating a healthier and more fulfilling path forward.

Services Offered:

  • Addiction Counselling

    Counselling specifically focused on substance use or behavioural addictions, addressing the psychological drivers and patterns of dependence.

    Learn more about Addiction Counselling
  • Individual Therapy

    One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.

    Learn more about Individual Therapy
  • Mindfulness

    The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.

    Learn more about Mindfulness
  • ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

    A form of therapy that teaches acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings while guiding action aligned with personal values.

    Learn more about ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT

Works With:

  • Adults

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Control Issues

    A persistent need to control situations, people, or outcomes, typically driven by underlying anxiety, fear of uncertainty, or past experiences of helplessness.

  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Guilt or Forgiveness

    Persistent feelings of guilt, shame, or difficulty forgiving oneself or others that weigh on emotional well-being and relationships.

  • Identity & Self-Image

    A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.

  • Inadequacy

    A persistent inner sense of not being good enough, often rooted in early experiences and manifesting as self-doubt, comparison, or avoidance.

  • Shame

    A deep, painful emotion involving the belief that one is fundamentally flawed or unworthy, which can affect self-perception and relationships.

    Learn more about Shame

Professional Title:

  • Psychologist

    A professional trained to assess and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological methods.

Credentials

Qualifications

Master of Science (MSc)

University of Leiden

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

University of Amsterdam

Training in Emotion-Focused Therapy with Dr. Robert Elliot

Southern California Institute of Emotion-Focused Therapy

Memberships

Netherlands Institute of Psychologists (NIP)

Membership: 246979

Service Areas

In-person & Online

Amsterdam-Centrum

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1011

Netherlands

Amsterdam-Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands