Psychosomatics · Active Imagination · Integrative Support
“Put words to your pain; the pain that remains silent whispers to the overflowing heart and pushes it to break.” — Eduardo De Filippo
I am Silvia Valastro, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychosomatics and the use of imagery as a therapeutic tool (certified in hypnotherapy at ULB-Brussels). I am convinced that when someone feels out of harmony with themselves or senses that something within is not right, it is essential not only to identify the symptoms but also to pay attention to the body's signals.
I integrate body, emotion, and thought to accompany processes of personal transformation. My master's thesis research—" L'utilizzo delle immagini in psicosomatica " (The use of images in psychosomatics)—explores how images can become a bridge between emotional experience and its manifestation in the body.
Therapeutic philosophy
I conceive of therapy as a path back to meaning and to a deep listening to one's own being. Through active imagination, symbolic analysis, and psychosomatic observation, I accompany each person in the discovery of their inner language, where body and emotion engage in a unique dialogue. The body, with its silent wisdom, does not lie, does not forget, and does not judge; learning to listen to it with kindness opens paths to understanding, integration, and relief.
I firmly believe that beyond medicine and words there is a place where the soul and body meet… and that is where your true healing process begins, and where you feel safe.
My training in health psychology allows me to tailor therapeutic interventions to the specific needs of each patient. Thanks to my knowledge of clinical disorders, I have developed the ability to recognize certain symptoms and understand their implications, enabling me to offer appropriate and personalized treatments. This includes not only assessing the symptoms but also exploring their origin and the emotional context in which they manifest.
Expressing emotions
Over time, repressed emotions trigger a chronic stress response: the body, in a constant state of alert, produces high levels of cortisol—the stress hormone—which, if maintained for an extended period, disrupt the balance of the immune system, weakening it and compromising its proper functioning. This prolonged state of alarm can manifest through symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, depression, or psychosomatic disorders, and, in more severe cases, contribute to the development of more complex organic diseases. Every tension, pain, or discomfort can be interpreted as a language through which the unconscious tries to communicate what the mind cannot yet name.
Psychosomatics: a bridge between mind and body
Psychosomatics has a historical trajectory that integrates medical and psychological perspectives. From Hippocratic medicine and the philosophy of mind-body unity, through the contributions of depth psychology, to contemporary biopsychosocial approaches, evidence indicates that well-being arises from the dialogue between biological, psychological, and relational factors. Therefore, the body does not merely "suffer" psychological distress: it expresses it. My practice draws on this tradition to offer rigorous and humane support.
Depression, anxiety, and symptoms of malaise
Stress can intensify physical and emotional symptoms; however, its impact depends on how we interpret events and the coping strategies we employ. From this perspective, physical and mental illness is not simply a dysfunction, but becomes a symbolic message that invites us to listen, to be aware and to reconnect with our emotional world. In therapeutic support we work on the reinterpretation of the experience, strengthen internal resources and promote practices of regulating balance.
“Our lives are determined not so much by our childhood, but by the way we have learned to imagine them.” — James Hillman
Testimonials
When the body speaks, the soul emerges. Here we gather voices that, little by little, learned to "shed their skin": to name what hurt, to understand its symbols, and to walk with more peace. May these stories remind you that healing is also about imagining a new way of inhabiting yourself.
M. José D.
Mi experiencia con Silvia ha sido altamente satisfactoria en un proceso grupal en el que ha logrado conectar distintas sensibilidades. Ella, no solo te ofrece los mecanismos como psicóloga, sino que empatiza con nosotras como personas. Te da pautas psicológicas y al mismo tiempo se pone en tu lugar creando una sinergia efectiva a todos los niveles.
Carolina
Silvia es una gran profesional en su trabajo. Mi experiencia con ella es muy estimulante y vital. Es una persona que te hace fácil lo difícil. Si estás bloqueada, salta la chispa que hace que te abras. Totalmente recomendable.
Stéphan M.
"Très bonne expérience avec Silvia. Elle est à l écoute, jamais dans le jugement et m'a permis de prendre du recul par rapport à mes problèmes pour mieux me recentrer sur l essentiel."
Your experience might be someone else's mirror
If at any point in our work together you felt something shift, ease, or find its name for the first time, I'd love for you to share it.
Testimonials aren't service reviews — they're voices that accompany those who are still hesitating to take the first step.
What was your experience like? What changed in you? Write whatever feels true, in your own words and without pressure. Your story matters.
