I haven’t told my parents I have cancer, as I fear they will say something hurtful
Dear Annalisa, Last year, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I have told a few people, but not my family, other than my brother, and I…
‘My mother-in-law sent me an insulting text intended for someone else. Should she apologise?’
Dear Annalisa, I’ve had a terrible run in with my mother-in-law and don’t know what to do about it. I’m married to her only son, whom…
My partner’s unresolved grief is putting a strain on our relationship
Dear Annalisa, As a teenager, my partner lost their father to illness. He was their idol, so of course this led to profound grief, which I feel is unresolved. We recently…
My partner and I argue constantly – and she puts all the blame on me
Dear Annalisa, I am 60 and I’ve been in a long-term relationship with my partner for more than 20 years. We have been extremely unhappy for a number…
My sister is stressed and distant. I want to help but don’t know how
Dear Annalisa, I am in my 30s and the middle child of three sisters. We don’t see one another that often as we live across the UK, but try…
I lost my partner, but our relationship was a secret so I can’t talk to anyone
Dear Annalisa, Six months ago I lost my partner. We were lovers for 22 years. You are the first person I have told about this. Our relationship was…
How do we tell our young daughter that she has a half-brother?
Dear Annalisa, My daughter is eight years old. She’s sensible, fun, kind and compassionate. Her father and I have been divorced since she was two and we…
I want children but my partner now says he is not keen. Should I go it alone?
Dear Annalisa, My partner has a child from a previous relationship who was two when we met a few years ago. For the first half of our…
My partner wants an open relationship, but is also jealous of my friendships with women
Dear Annalisa, My partner and I have been in a relationship for many years, have a child together, and have had our ups and downs along…
I live too far away from my boyfriend and our relationship is suffering
Dear Annalisa, My boyfriend and I are both in our early twenties and have been together for almost a year. In the past two months we…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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