Alessandro Giuliano - Psychotherapist in Iklin, Malta

29/03/2026

Some days ago, I co-facilitated the last session of a support group for caregivers. The participants all have a relative who is experiencing mental health difficulties, and this series of sessions ran over the past seven months.

Here are some reflections that have stayed with me from this experience:

Caregivers often sideline their own wellbeing in order to care for their loved one. We frequently referred to the example of the oxygen mask during an airplane emergency: you need to ensure your own wellbeing first as a caregiver before you can sustainably care for someone else.

Caregivers are often the people everyone turns to for help, yet they are frequently the ones with little or no support themselves.

Caregivers are often resilient individuals, but they can suffer in silence. They may feel the need to appear strong for the sake of those around them.

Caregivers who are successful in the long term have often learned to prioritise their wellbeing by engaging in sports, hobbies, and meaningful relationships, including friendships. They are often individuals who choose to remain positive, even in difficult circumstances.

I would like to thank the participants who joined these sessions, my colleague Sharon Attard De Giovanni - Psychotherapist as well as Mental Health Association Malta for organising this support group.

24/02/2026

🔎What’s the difference between stress and anxiety?

Both stress and anxiety are emotional responses.

Stress is typically caused by an external trigger (example a work deadline).

Anxiety is defined by persistent and excessive worries that don't go away even when there are no stressors.

Both mild stress and mild anxiety respond well to similar coping mechanisms.
These include physical activity, a nutritious diet and good sleep routines.

👉🏻If you feel anxious and would like to find support, we are organising group support sessions focusing on anxiety. These groups have a small number of participants and are led by a qualified psychotherapist. Please send me a direct message if you wish to join the next group.



🇲🇹🔎X’inhi d-differenza bejn l-istress u l-ansjeta?

Kemm l-istress kif ukoll l-ansjeta huma reazzjonijiet emozzjonali.

L-istress ġeneralment ikun ikkawżat minn fattur estern (pereżempju deadline fuq ix-xogħol).

L-ansjeta hija definita minn tħassib persistenti u eċċessiv li ma jisparixxix anke meta ma jkunx hemm fatturi ta’ stress.

Kemm stress ħafif kif ukoll ansjetà ħafifa jirrispondu tajjeb għal coping mechanism simili.

Dawn jinkludu attività fiżika, dieta nutrittiva u rutina tajba ta’ rqad.

👉🏻Jekk tħossok ansjuż/a u tixtieq issib appoġġ, qed norganizzaw sessjonijiet ta’ appoġġ fi grupp iffukati fuq l-ansjetà. Dawn il-gruppi għandhom numru żgħir ta’ parteċipanti u huma mmexxija minn psikoterapista kwalifikat/a. Jekk jogħġbok ibgħatli messaġġ privat jekk tixtieq tingħaqad mal-grupp li jmiss.

18/01/2026

What is anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic (relating to the body) symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune.

The body often mobilizes itself to meet the perceived threat: Muscles become tense, breathing is faster, and the heart beats more rapidly.

Anxiety may be distinguished from fear both conceptually and physiologically, although the two terms are often used interchangeably.

Anxiety is considered a future-oriented, long-acting response broadly focused on a diffuse threat, whereas fear is an appropriate, present-oriented, and short-lived response to a clearly identifiable and specific threat.

If you feel anxious and would like to find support, we are organising group support sessions focusing on anxiety. These groups have a small number of participants and are led by a qualified psychotherapist. Please send me a direct message if you wish to join the next group.

X’inhi l-ansjetà?
L-ansjetà hija emozzjoni kkaratterizzata minn tħassib u sintomi somatiċi (relatati mal-ġisem) ta’ tensjoni, fejn l-individwu jantiċipa periklu, katastrofi jew sfortuna imminenti.

Il-ġisem spiss jimmobilizza ruħu biex jaffaċċja t-theddida: il-muskoli jsiru tensi, in-nifs isir aktar mgħaġġel u l-qalb tibda tħabbat aktar malajr.

L-ansjetà tista’ tiġi distinta mill-biża’ kemm fuq livell kunċettwali kif ukoll fiżjoloġiku, għalkemm iż-żewġ termini spiss jintużaw minflok xulxin.

L-ansjetà titqies bħala reazzjoni orjentata lejn il-futur u li ddum aktar, b’mod ġenerali ffokata fuq theddida vaga jew mifruxa, filwaqt li l-biża’ hija reazzjoni orjentata lejn il-preżent u ta’ żmien qasir, għal theddida ċara, speċifika u identifikabbli.

Jekk tħossok ansjuż/a u tixtieq issib appoġġ, qedin norganizzaw sessjonijiet ta’ sapport iffokati fuq l-ansjetà. Dawn il-gruppi għandhom numru limitat ta’ parteċipanti u huma mmexxija minn psikoterapista kwalifikat/a. Jekk tixtieq tingħaqad mal-grupp li jmiss, jekk jogħġbok ibgħatli messaġġ dirett.

Source: apa.org

23/11/2025

Hope isn’t the absence of struggle — it’s the quiet belief that something better is still possible.

Even on the days when life feels heavy or uncertain, hope shows up in small ways: in a kind word, a moment of clarity, a step forward, or simply the decision to try again tomorrow.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that healing doesn’t happen all at once.

Growth often begins with tiny, intentional moments of compassion toward yourself. Hope lives there — in the gentle reminders that you are capable, deserving, and not alone.

Be patient with yourself. You’re moving forward, even when it doesn’t feel like it. 💛

Photo credit https://unsplash.com/

22/10/2025

In CBT treatment, trained therapists help clients identify distressing thoughts and evaluate how realistic these thoughts are. As clients become aware of their thoughts and are able to evaluate them, they feel better. CBT therapists also work with clients on solving problems, learning new skills, and setting and achieving meaningful goals.

16/09/2025

A friend of mine took this picture in Morocco a few days ago. Initially, I was struck by nature's infinite beauty—the vast desert and dark skies. Then, I noticed the caravan of travelers, dwarfed by the desert itself and barely visible. This made me reflect on the importance of community, particularly in how a challenging journey across the desert is undertaken as a group. It made me think about how crucial community is, especially in difficult times.

In therapy, the lack of community is something I often encounter. When this support system is absent, we often have to carry our problems alone or face difficult challenges by ourselves. This situation is sometimes the result of unfortunate events, but at other times, it comes from life experiences that disempower us from reaching out for help and support.

Whatever the situation, we don’t have to face life’s challenges alone. It’s okay to reach out and ask for help and support from your community.

Photo credit Nadine Dalli

07/08/2025

Last month, I co-facilitated a series of group therapy sessions for parents of autistic children. Resilience, strength, and acceptance were recurring themes throughout.

Resilience to keep moving forward, even in the face of significant challenges.
Strength to overcome obstacles.
Acceptance of what has been lost and what is present in the here and now.

Thank you to the clients who shared their stories, even in moments where you felt vulnerable. Your courage continues to inspire my work as a therapist.

Thank you also to Autism Parents Association for making these sessions possible and to Sharon Attard De Giovanni - Psychotherapist for co-facilitating the therapy sessions with me.

07/07/2025

Recently, I attended a workshop focused on climate anxiety—a phenomenon I first encountered through my work with clients. This type of anxiety often arises from witnessing a rapidly changing world and feeling uncertain about what the future holds. It can manifest as emotions such as grief, anger, helplessness, and anxiety.

I'm grateful to Friends of the Earth Malta and Claire Bonello for creating a safe space where these emotions could be acknowledged and explored, and for sharing practical ways to cope with them.

17/06/2025

Just because someone appears to have it all together doesn’t mean they’re not facing silent battles. Mental health challenges often hide behind smiles, laughter, full schedules, and encouraging words.

This is your gentle reminder to check in — on your friends, your family, your coworkers — even the ones who seem perfectly fine. A simple conversation or a kind gesture can mean more than you realize.

We never truly know what someone might be going through beneath the surface.

12/05/2025

Depression is a mental health condition that affects many people, with women more likely to experience it than men. It is marked by a depressed mood or a loss of interest in activities for extended periods.

Unlike regular mood changes, depression impacts all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends, and community. It can happen to anyone, but the good news is that there are effective treatments available.

Recognizing depression and seeking help is the first and most critical step toward recovery.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization, writer and illustrator Matthew Johnstone shares the journey of overcoming the "black dog of depression."

Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

At its worst, depression can be a frightening, debilitating condition. Millions of people around the world live with depression. Many of these individuals an...

15/04/2025

APA Parent Workshops

Navigating New Paths: Group Therapy for Parents at the Start of the Autism Journey

Join us for a series of insightful online workshops
with psychotherapists Sharon Attard De Giovanni
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ANW2c5pKi/
& Alessandro Giuliano- https://www.facebook.com/share/1YTjWPf1yj/

🗓 Dates & Time

Friday 9th May | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday 23rd May | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday 6th June | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday 20th June | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Friday 27th June | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

📍 Location: Online via Zoom
Important Notes

✔ The first session is sponsored by APA
✔ €5 fee applies to each of the remaining four sessions
✔ Advance booking is required-https://forms.gle/xEoZb3VtQUP7fkvRA

✔ All proceeds will be donated to a charitable foundation

13/04/2025

How we choose to spend our time has a direct impact on our mental health.
Making time for activities that make us feel good and promote a sense of wellbeing contributes to better mental health.

Some clients tell me they read a good book or watch an episode of a TV series, others say they meet a friend for coffee, and some mention going for a walk. Everyone does it differently, but it's important that we make time for these things.

What activities do you do to take care of your mental health?