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…
What can we do to stop our son’s post-nursery meltdowns?
Dear Annalisa, I am a married mum of two boys, aged four and two. The oldest goes to nursery Monday-Friday, and the youngest is looked after at…
I’m sure my friend has an eating disorder. Should I try to talk to her about it?
Dear Annalisa, Over the years, my best friend and I have shared the highs and lows of motherhood, career and family. As we get older, however, it…
My brother’s fear of Covid has stopped him socialising. How can I help him?
Dear Annalisa, I am worried about my brother and wondering if there is any way to help him through his fear of Covid. It’s prevented him going…
My son has very low self-esteem and confidence. How can I help him?
Dear Annalisa, I have an 11-year-old son who is finding life quite difficult. He has always suffered from very low self-esteem and confidence, even as a toddler.…
I want a divorce but my wife’s past trauma means she won’t let me
Dear Annalisa, My wife and I have had issues for almost the entirety of our relationship. For more than a decade, she has struggled with intimacy, compounded – we…
A friend recently attempted to kill herself. What can I do to stop her trying again?
Dear Annalisa, A very dear friend of mine recently attempted suicide. Thankfully she survived, but I am very worried about what moved her to attempt to take her…
I appear successful, but since having kids I feel I’ve lost myself
Dear Annalisa, I have struggled with depression and anxiety since my teens and have had therapyand medication on and off since I was 17 (I am now…
I worry that ours is not a happy house. What can I do to lift the mood?
Dear Annalisa, I’m married with two children, aged seven and 12. Maybe it’s the effects of the pandemic…, but both my husband and I feel exhausted and…
Do I need to leave my partner for the sake of my fragile son?
Dear Annalisa, I am 62 years old and semi-retired. I’ve worked hard all my life. In my 30s I had a son; it was just the…
Annalisa Barbieri 
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