Hi, I'm
Luna Fumagalli

I'm a psychologist and couple counsellor, and the founder of RISE Psychology Hub. 

I've lived and traveled in numerous countries and this has furthered my understanding of diversity, equity, equality, and social justice principles. My personal and professional journey has blessed me with opportunities to learn from different cultures and belief systems. I enjoy working with a diverse range of clients with different backgrounds, ages, religious and spiritual beliefs, and sexual orientations.

I work with individuals that present with both situational and longstanding emotional, relational, and psychological difficulties. I am passionate about empowering people to break free from trauma cycles and repetitive negative patterns. 

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I believe in a holistic approach to care and recognise that psychological symptoms can be multi-factorial and require a range of treatment approaches. This is why I also enjoy working alongside other health professionals in order to obtain the best treatment outcome for clients.   

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"I am passionate about helping people create healthy relationships, battle self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy, cope with stress and worries, improve mood and communication skills, become more assertive, and live more authentic, congruent, and meaningful lives."

My Story

To be honest, I haven’t always been able to live an authentic and congruent life. I migrated to Australia in 2014 and the first six years in this country that I love were the most challenging of my life. While undertaking a long and stressful process to obtain the recognition of my prior learning and eventually do the job that I love practicing as a psychologist, I accepted a number of situations that were not ok.

I let people underpay me at times, and treat me with no respect. I often questioned my worthiness and experienced feelings of inadequacy, stress, and anxiety. I thought I didn't belong anywhere and "I am not good enough" was my daily mantra for a long time. 

Running around at a million miles per hour to avoid sitting with my emotions, and working way too much in order to 'feel' successful, were just some of my coping mechanisms. I was always tired and run down, and felt unworthy and disempowered in my relationships.

One day, I was really unwell in bed with a fever, and looking back, it was such a pivotal moment. It was the first time I told to myself: “You don't have to do this anymore sweetheart. It's ok, you are safe, and loved. You are already enough”. It was my 'compassionate self' talking, I was too exhausted to challenge it, so I decided to welcome that voice into my life and let that part of me guide me. That is when my healing started. 

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My approach

 I have a person-centred approach and work holistically with my clients.

I provide trauma-informed care, and empowerment is a key part of my work.

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I believe there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to working with people, this is why my methods include frameworks of attachment theory, somatic (or body-based), mindfulness-based, and cognitive behavioural theories.

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I draw on multiple therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). 

I have additionally integrated my practice with creative techniques due to my profound interest in neuroscience, mindfulness, and positive psychology.

My training

Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara, Italy.

Master's in Health and Clinical Psychology at D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara, Italy.

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Post Graduate training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy  at APA (Associazione Psicoanalitica Abruzzese) Chieti, Italy.

Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples at The Australian Centre for Emotionally Focused Therapy (ACEFT).

I BELIEVE

In a society that glorifies productivity at the cost of self-betrayal, choosing yourself is an act of self love.

I AM

 I'm friendly, empathetic and down-to-earth, and I've created RISE as a safe space that brings down the barriers people face in accessing support for mental health.

I LOVE

Meditation and visualisation, gratitude and cuddles in bed with my baby dog, yoga, ocean swims, beach walks, coffee and sunshine.