Prof Melania Anna Duca
Integrative psychotherapistAbout Me
After having taught for 7 years at the Faculty of Psychology of an Italian private University, I moved to Northern Ireland where I founded Athena Mental Health which I now direct as the CEO.
I am a Fellow of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (UK) where I served as Ethics Committee Member and currently offer Clinical Supervision.
During the COVID19 pandemic I moved my business online, accessing the global market where I currently work treating adults, couples and families from any country in the world. I was trained to provide therapy in English to speakers of other languages. This also allowed me to join several initiatives that provide help to war refugees from Ukraine.
I specialise in neurodivergence and personality disorders. I have experience in working with marginalised and vulnerable groups such as LGBTQ+ clients; counselling the families of people with Borderline and EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder) impulsive type, marriages with partners affected by AS (Asperger's Syndrome), OCPD (Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder), victims of domestic violence and narcissistic abuse.
I also provide counselling to offenders, rehabilitative psychotherapy, and expert reports for court-cases. I counsel police officers and can help lawyers prevent burnout.
I offer “kink-allied” counselling. I worked extensively in the sport performance enhancement field with individual athletes and teams competing internationally.
My approach is both conservative towards the identity of a person and integrative in relation to the modalities I choose for the treatment. I believe that each one of us is unique and different, so therapy must be tailored on the specific needs of every new client seeking help. My way of working is structured and systematic. A plan is designed and agreed with the client before even opening their folders. I work in cycles of sessions which can last anywhere between 3 months and 1 year.
Confidentiality and protection of my clients’ privacy is a fundamental part of my work.
I often organise events to promote a new form of "sociotherapy" which my clients usually like to participate in, and which empowers their journey towards recovery.
I offer two innovative psychological treatments: virtual reality exposure therapy and cranial electrotherapy stimulation.
My practice requires full registration; after your initial assessment, my assistant will guide and assist you throughout your journey.
Locations
Issues often worked with
Types of therapy
Therapy offered
Client groups
Fees
• Adult (18+)- £110
• Couple (18+)- £150
• Teenager (16-18)- £90
• Older adult (70+)- £90
• Family- £200
• Group- £300
• Supervisee- £90 (part time practice: less than 25 hours of therapy per month); £135 (full time practice)
Training and qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
• 2022: Level 7 – PGDip in Clinical Psychiatry (University of South Wales)
• 2021: Cardiff University-Bond Solon (CUBS) Expert Witness Certificate in Criminal Law Proceedings
• 2019: Level 3 – Certificate in Phlebotomy (Kingsbridge Training Academy)
• 2015: Level 8 – PhD in History of Science - Forensic Medicine (University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy)
• 2011: Level 7 – Master's Degree in Philosophical Sciences - Psychology Curriculum (University of Salento, Italy)
• 2009: Level 6 – Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy - Psychology Curriculum (University of Salento, Italy)
Certificates of completion of specialist training (2018):
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
• Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy
Continuous Professional Development (2018-2021):
• CPD – Smoking cessation hypnotherapy, COE
• CPD – Caring for People with Psychosis & Schizophrenia, King’s College London
• CPD – Medicines Adherence: Supporting Patients with their Treatment course, King’s College London
• CPD – Integrating Care: Depression, Anxiety & Physical Illness course, King’s College London
• CPD – Medicines Adherence: Understanding & Changing Patient Behaviour course, King’s College London
• CPD – MinEd Programme (NHS training)
• CPD – Criminal Psychology
(omissis)
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Professional registration is an important milestone for any technician. It establishes your proven knowledge, understanding and competence. Awarded by licensed bodies, professional registration is based on knowledge, competence, and commitment to professionalism.
Other professional memberships:
- Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology: Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, APA reg. number 00250480
- Complementary Medical Association, CMA reg. number P202201050002
- National Expert Witness Agency - Member No: E30288
Other International Associations I belong to:
• National Register of University Certificated Expert Witnesses
• International Association for Forensic Psychotherapy
• International Neuropsychoanalysis Society