Why am I so afraid to accept that it’s time for me to retire?
Dear Annalisa, I have worked in higher education for more than 25 years. My plan was to retire at 60, but shortly before that I was offered…
I’m yearning for a third child to recreate the large, loving family I grew up in
Dear Annalisa, I have a strong attachment to my family – in particular my three siblings. We live in different countries but the bond is strong. I have two children, aged…
I’m happily remarried, but am haunted by my ex’s long-ago betrayal
Dear Annalisa, I met my ex in our last year of high school. After a year of university we married when we were only 18. The first 10…
I’m ignored when I try to chat to people. How can I improve my conversation skills?
Dear Annalisa, How do you do conversation? I don’t understand how it works. I can only ever communicate factual information such as “A coffee and a…
My brother bullied me, which has had a lifelong impact. Can I build bridges with him now?
Dear Annalisa, When I was a child I was bullied by my older brother. I am 41 now and I think this has really affected me throughout…
My friend ranks his friendships in a league table – and it worries me
Dear Annalisa, Over a few drinks, a good friend of mine recently let slip that he keeps a spreadsheet of his friends, which he uses to rank them…
Should my partner and I share our love letters from previous relationships with our children?
Dear Annalisa, We are in our mid-80s and have been together for 12 years. Our relationship journeys to our meeting point were utterly different. My partner has two marriages behind her…
How can I stop my dad watching porn on his phone at home?
Dear Annalisa, I’m an adult living at home with my parents for financial reasons; they are in their late 60s/early 70s. My father has been watching pornography in…
Living with my depressed husband is ripping me apart. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, I am in my mid-30s and have been with my husband, who is 10 years older than me, since I was a teenager. I…
My friend copies things I say, wear and do, and watches my house. Is this stalking?
Dear Annalisa, I met X about 10 years ago, at the gym. She’s not a very close friend, although I think she would like to be. For the first few years…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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