
CONSAPEVOLMENTE
Dott. Stefano Cotugno Psychotherapist

MY WORK

My journey as a psychotherapist can be compared to a great river, fed by the waters of three essential streams: systemic family psychotherapy, meditation, and family constellations. Systemic psychotherapy, which emerged in the 1950s in America through the contributions of revolutionary figures such as G. Beatson, J. Haley, and P. Watzlawick, was further developed by prominent personalities like psychiatrist M. Bowen, author of family systems theory, as well as S. Minuchin and J. Framo, who expanded the study of transgenerational patterns by applying them to work with couples and families. In Italy, psychiatrists like M. Selvini Palazzoli and M. Andolfi laid the foundations in the 1970s for systemic family therapy and its underlying philosophy to gain proper recognition within the field of individual psychological care.
An individual is not an isolated entity but is immersed in a network of interdependent, meaningful emotional relationships that shape their identity and are, in turn, influenced by their actions. Events such as failure, loss, or separation test personal characteristics, which are formed and shaped within these relational processes. Only by understanding a person through the lens of these dynamics can we transform dysfunctional meanings into opportunities for growth, evolution, and well-being. By exploring crisis as an opportunity to break free from outdated patterns and mechanisms, we redefine psychological distress as a chance for individuals to gain self-awareness and grow, tapping into and expressing their abilities, skills and resources in a broader and more conscious way. Working with individuals, couples and families thus becomes a creative, imaginative and therapeutic journey that, starting from everyday challenges, leads to the rediscovery of curiosity, initiative, and trust – essential qualities for nurturing one’s dreams.
Meditation is the journey that guides us through the question, “Who am I?”, helping us focus our attention on the present moment. In today’s fast-paced and chaotic world, it is a vital practice that allows us to understand our emotional landscape and distinguish which external stimuli truly support our path. Meditation is an act of self-love that expands our individual resilience, deepens our awareness of our positive qualities, enhances our attentiveness, and strengthens our focus on our goals. By improving our ability to manage stress, meditation fosters a sense of calm and joy in life, helping us redefine our awareness of ourselves and the world around us.

Family constellations are a valuable ally in the therapeutic process, helping us consciously examine our family history to understand the roots of our present behaviours, whether we are aware of them or not. Recognising our connection to our family lineage is often essential for healing our own lives. Some questions about how to transform pain or dysfunction in the present can only be answered by opening our eyes to the past. Family constellations offer a unique experience that allows us to acknowledge and transform painful histories that have influenced the lives of our ancestors and continue to shape our present.