Torino
I was born in Torino, Italy, and grew up in the semi-rural area which surrounds the city. I was definitely not a high achiever at school. However, once I finished high school, I started an undergrad degree called 'Società e Culture d'Europa' at the Universita degli Studi di Torino. The course mainly focused on Greek and Roman history, philosophy and literature. I also took few modules of Latin language and literature, which I really enjoyed. I also liked the module in cultural anthropology, which focused on different structures of families in different cultures. Another part of the degree that I remember fondly was a two-module course on the Italian poet Eugenio Montale. I felt really inspired by his Mediterranean landscapes. During those first years, I was interested in languages, literature and philology.

Dijon
From my bedroom window I could see the crown of the Alps and the highest peak of the Mon Viso. I knew that France was just around the corner, on the other side of the mountains. I was very fascinated by the Belgian singer Jacques Brel and his passionate voice. I studied French on my own and eventually won a bursary for an Erasmus programme at the Université de Bourgogne. So I spent my last year at university in Dijon. The main subjects I studied was French Medieval History.

Luxembourg
Once back in Torino, I briefly worked for an Italian charity which supported young people. I actively engaged in youth politics and volunteered at the local city council. I wanted to take my interest for youth politic further, so I moved to Luxembourg to work in this field with an EVS programme. I was interested in promoting social inclusion for disadvantaged youth. In Luxembourg I learned a lot about organising projects and working in a charity.

Metanoia
I moved to the UK in 2011 and lived there since. After working as a waiter for a year, I started training in counselling and psychotherapy at the Metanoia Institute. I initially volunteered in different places across London: Bereft, Place2Be and Mind. I then relocated to Bristol where I worked for four years at the University of Bristol Student Counselling Service and at Step Forward, a local charity. In Bristol I also started to see clients privately for long-term psychotherapy. At the Metanoia Institute I completed different programmes: a Diploma in Humanistic Counselling; a BSc (Hons) in Reflective Therapeutic Practice and an MSc (Hons) in Humanistic Psychotherapy. this training also brought me to have a placement in a psychiatric hospital, where I was given the chance to see more complex presentations. Humanistic psychotherapy is the main module I trained in and I'm passionate about. The whole training took me 6 years to complete, and gave me a lot of challenges, but also a lot of joy.

Plants and yoga
In Bristol I cultivated my passions for gardening and followed a short RHS training at the Botanic Garden. I started to look after my allotment: I enjoy putting my wellies on, get all muddy and grow my own vegetables. Right before I started my training at the Metanoia, I took some time off work and went volunteering in a farm in Aberdeenshire. There on the windy East coast of Scotland, I learned a lot about farming animals and harvesting large crops.
I also have a big passion for yoga. Though I tried different types, I mainly practice classic Iyengar.

I am now working in East London and commuting back to Bristol for the weekends. I work at Step Forward, a small charity which provides therapy and wellbeing to children and young people in Tower Hamlets. My role here is mainly to provide one-to-one sessions, though I also work with groups.

Matteo Francescon

Psychotherapist & Counsellor