A controlling partner is isolating my daughter. What can I do to help?
My daughter has gradually withdrawn from family events. She lives far from us all and doesn’t come home any more after being a real homebird. She…
My sister gets into toxic fights with my mother. How can I help?
Dear Annalisa, I’m a 40-year-old man and worried about my family. Since my sister (in her late 30s) became pregnant with her first child four years ago, there…
I want a relationship before it’s too late, but I don’t trust myself to stay safe
Dear Annalisa, I would love to be with a partner but am held back by paralysing doubts about my judgment about people and ability to work out…
My boyfriend gets angry if I make plans with friends or family – even though I include him
Dear Annalisa, I’m struggling to make any plans with people other than my boyfriend. Whenever I organise to meet my friends or family, however much notice I give my partner and as many…
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…
I’m in an abusive marriage – how do I find the courage to leave?
Dear Annalisa, I met my husband almost seven years ago when I was 19 and he was six years older. He had just stopped drinking and…
My wife finds her mother’s rightwing rants hurtful. Should we cut her off?
Dear Annalisa, My wife is constantly made extremely upset by her mother’s behaviour, which has always been difficult but has progressed to new levels. My mother-in-law is a solitary…
My boyfriend controls me and threatens to leave when I see my friends. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, I met my current boyfriend a year ago, when I moved to his country for work. But I feel I’m going crazy and I don’t…
I was brought up in an abusive family. Should I cut them off
Dear Annalisa, I’m going through prolonged issues that have churned up painful memories of my childhood and adulthood. It’s difficult to know how to go on, as my…
My mother-in-law is so possessive about our unborn baby. What can I do?
Dear Annalisa, I’m pregnant with my first child. My husband and I waited a long time to tell my in-laws because we knew all hell would break loose…
Annalisa Barbieri 
You must be logged in to post a comment.