About
My name is Lucia Tecuta and I am an Italian-American cognitive behavioral psychotherapist and clinical psychologist based in Bologna with advanced training in cognitive-behavioral therapies, ecotherapy and climate-conscious therapy.
As a researcher/assistant professor, I collaborate with the Psychology Department of the University of Bologna where I obtained a PhD in Psychological Sciences in 2017 and worked as post-doc researcher for several years. Along with the EATeam research lab, I have published scientific articles on cognitive-behavioral therapy outcomes, cognitions such as irrational beliefs and metacognitions, and psychological disturbances including major depression, demoralization, and eating disorders. I currently conduct research on eco-concerns and eco-anxiety in relation to eating behaviors (See Projects page).
I collaborate with several international and American colleges and universities with campuses in Italy offering cultural adjustment-related support to international students. I also offer workshops on adjustment abroad and experiential workshops on climate emotions and how to cope with them through nature connection. I have experience with the expat community and have a culturally sensitive approach, having grown up between two different cultures and countries, Rome, Italy and the US East Coast.
I also offer workshops, seminars, and training courses to mental health professionals on topics related to mental health and climate change. Specifically, these cover emotional and psychological responses to the ongoing climate crisis, including eco-emotions (such as eco-anxiety, eco-grief, eco-guilt, to name a few), strategies for managing climate and eco-emotions, with a particular focus on rediscovering the connection with the natural world.
Background and Training
I completed my studies at the City University of New York (BA) and Columbia University in the City of New York (MA). After moving to Italy in 2011, I continued my training obtaining a PhD in Psychological Sciences at the University of Bologna and a four year-specialization in CBT at Studi Cognitivi-Modena.
During my studies in New York, I worked in numerous world-renowned institutes obtaining research and clinical experience, including Mount Sinai Hospital, Columbia Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Loss and Trauma Lab headed by Prof. George A. Bonanno (Columbia University) and the Global Health lab headed by Prof. Lena Verdeli (Columbia University).
I became a certified REBT Therapist in 2018 (Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy), training at the Albert Ellis Institute of New York where I also spent time during my PhD training under the supervision of Prof. Raymond DiGiuseppe. I currently serve as Associate Editor on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Recently I trained in eco and climate-conscious therapy, which concerns the various tools to understand, process and tackle difficult psychological responses to climate change as well as fostering one's connection with nature. I am also a Climate Cafè facilitator trained with the Climate Psychology Alliance and offer periodically free meetings (See Projects page).
Qualifications
BA in Psychology
City College of New York, CUNY
MA in Clinical Psychology
Columbia University in the City of New York
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Bologna, University of Bologna
Specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
Studi Cognitivi, Modena, Italy
Basic and Advanced Practicum in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
Albert Ellis Institute, New York City
Eco- and Climate Conscious Therapy
SelfSustain, Dr. Thomas Doherty, USA
Advanced Professional training ("Master") in the Assessment, Therapeutic Relationship, and Treatment of Simple and Complex Trauma
Istituto Beck, Rome, Italy
Accreditation
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Italian National Council of Psychologists
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Emilia Romagna Regional Council of Psychologists N. 8130 since 2015
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Annotation Psychotherapist added in 2021
Memberships
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Climate Psychology Alliance- CPA (UK)
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Società Italiana di Terapia Comportamentale e Cognitiva - SITCC