Federico Ferrarese Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Federico Ferrarese Cognitive Behavioural Therapist Accredited BABCP CBT therapist
(n.00001005090)
CPsychol BPS (n.401513)
www.federicoferrarese.co.uk I started to work as a Psychologist self-employed.

I became initially interested in psychology when I was young, and I had the opportunity to do the experience of volunteering in helping people with a problem of addiction. I felt so helpless trying to deal with their issues that I decided to learn more about human behaviour and help those in need. I have become more and more interested in the field of psychology during my five years of University. I graduated in Psychology in 1999, and initially, I have chosen to work in the HR sector. After six years of working in this area, I decided to change my career. I used the previous skills that I have achieved as Human Resources Assistant to help people with a physical and learning disability find and maintain a job. I enjoyed this experience, and I felt it was necessary to learn more about the brain and neurophysiology. I started another BSc degree, and I graduated in Neurocognitive Rehabilitation at the University of Padova. Having always pursued study and work that allows me to impact the lives of the vulnerable through a range of approaches, cognitive behaviour therapy is a field through which I can continue developing these skills and passions. What excites me most about the potential of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is helping people learn strategies to modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. For this reason, I started the CBT training at Queen Margaret University, and I have completed the Diploma level. I use a warm, pragmatic approach and work as a catalyst for positive emotional and behavioural change. I treat adults for assessment and psychological therapy at private practices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

28/02/2026

When AI becomes a compulsion, it doesn’t look dramatic — it looks helpful.

You ask one more question for reassurance.
Then another.
And another.

For people struggling with anxiety or OCD, AI can quietly turn into a 24/7 source of validation that feels soothing in the moment but reinforces the very cycle that keeps anxiety alive.

Reassurance chatting isn’t about information — it’s about trying to feel certain, safe, or “okay” right now. The problem? Relief fades fast, and the urge to ask again grows stronger.

This carousel explores how compulsive AI use can develop, why it feels so convincing, and what a healthier recovery looks like instead.

If any of this feels familiar, you’re not alone — and real support exists.

Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/28/ai-becomes-a-compulsion/

It’s 3am. You’re asking the same question again — just phrased differently — hoping this answer finally settles the anxi...
28/02/2026

It’s 3am. You’re asking the same question again — just phrased differently — hoping this answer finally settles the anxiety.

But the relief never lasts.

As a CBT therapist in Edinburgh, I’m seeing a growing pattern: people using AI chatbots not for information, but for reassurance… and getting pulled into a compulsive loop that can quietly worsen anxiety and OCD.

In my latest article, I unpack:

what “reassurance chatting” is (and why it’s so sticky)

why chatbots feel safer than people (but can be more harmful)

the warning signs your AI use has crossed a line

what actually helps you break the cycle (without shame)

If you’ve ever thought, “Just one more question,” this is for you.

Learn more here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/28/ai-becomes-a-compulsion/

Uncover the role of reassurance chatting and its effects on OCD when "AI Becomes a Compulsion".

🚀 It’s official — my new website is now live!I’m really excited to finally share it with you. It’s a space where you can...
28/02/2026

🚀 It’s official — my new website is now live!

I’m really excited to finally share it with you. It’s a space where you can explore my work, learn more about what I do, and see what I’ve been creating lately.

✨ Take a look here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/

I’d like to hear what you think — feel free to check it out and let me know your feedback!

Psychologist| Cognitive Behavioural Therapist| Edinburgh | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | CBT Therapist | Italian | English

12/02/2026

Have you ever had a thought that scared you?

A sudden image. An urge. A disturbing idea that felt completely against who you are.

And then the fear creeps in…
“What if this means something about me?”

Here’s the truth most people never learn:

Intrusive thoughts are not intentions.
They are not warnings.
And they are not reflections of your character.

In fact, the very reason they disturb you is because they contradict your values.

Nearly everyone experiences intrusive thoughts. But when you don’t understand them, they can create shame, anxiety, and fear.

Understanding the difference between intrusive thoughts and intent can be life-changing.

You are not your thoughts.
You are your choices.

Learn more here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/12/intrusive-thoughts-4/

Follow for evidence-based insights on OCD, anxiety, and mental health.




Confronting Intrusive Thoughts vs Intent: A Deep DiveWhat if I told you that some of the most disturbing thoughts you’ve...
12/02/2026

Confronting Intrusive Thoughts vs Intent: A Deep Dive

What if I told you that some of the most disturbing thoughts you’ve ever had… actually say nothing about who you are?

Many people experience sudden, unwanted thoughts about harming someone they love, losing control, or doing something completely out of character. These thoughts can feel terrifying — and often lead people to question their morality, sanity, or safety.

But here’s the truth most people don’t realise:

Intrusive thoughts are involuntary.
They are ego-dystonic — meaning they go against your values, not with them.
And research shows nearly everyone experiences them at some point.

In fact, the very reason these thoughts distress you is because they conflict with who you truly are.

Understanding the difference between intrusive thoughts and genuine intent can be life-changing. It can free you from guilt, fear, and the false belief that your mind defines your character.

You are not your thoughts. You are your choices, your values, and your actions.

If you’ve ever struggled with disturbing or unwanted thoughts, you’re not alone — and there is clarity, hope, and effective help available.

Learn more here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/12/intrusive-thoughts-4/

Explore the differences between intrusive thoughts and intent with insights from an Italian CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh.

10/02/2026

Anger and OCD are more connected than most people realise.

Not because anger causes OCD.
But because anger—especially when turned inward—can silently fuel the cycle.

The frustration.
The self-criticism.
The feeling of “Why can’t I just stop this?”

These emotional reactions don’t weaken OCD.
They strengthen it.

Many people with OCD aren’t angry at others.
They’re angry at themselves.

Angry for having intrusive thoughts.
Angry for needing rituals.
Angry for not feeling in control.

But here’s the shift that changes everything:

Your anger isn’t the enemy.
OCD is.

When you stop directing anger toward yourself and start recognising OCD as the real problem, something powerful happens.

You create space.
Space to stop engaging.
Space to stop reacting.
Space to recover.

You don’t need to eliminate anger to heal.
You need to change your relationship with it.

Recovery doesn’t begin when thoughts disappear.
It begins when you stop fighting yourself.

If this resonates with you, the full article explains 5 practical strategies you can start using today.

Read it via the link in bio or here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/10/anger-driven-ocd/






Anger-Driven OCD: 5 Effective Strategies to Break Free“I’m so angry at myself for having these thoughts. Why can’t I jus...
10/02/2026

Anger-Driven OCD: 5 Effective Strategies to Break Free

“I’m so angry at myself for having these thoughts. Why can’t I just stop them?”

This is something I hear more often than you might expect. And here’s the truth most people don’t realise: anger isn’t just a side effect of OCD—it can actually fuel the obsessive cycle… or become a powerful force for recovery.

Many people with OCD feel intense frustration, shame, or even rage—especially when intrusive thoughts won’t go away. But suppressing anger often makes things worse. It creates internal tension, strengthens compulsions, and keeps you stuck in the same exhausting loop.

The good news? When you understand what’s really happening, anger doesn’t have to be your enemy. It can become a signal—valuable information that helps you break free from OCD’s grip.

In my latest article, I explain:
• Why anger is so common in OCD (and why it’s often overlooked)
• How suppressed anger strengthens obsessive thoughts and compulsions
• The crucial difference between intrusive thoughts and real aggression
• 5 practical, evidence-based strategies to transform anger into recovery fuel

If you or someone you care about struggles with , this insight could completely change how you view anger—and your path forward.

Learn more here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/10/anger-driven-ocd/

You don’t have to fight your . You can learn to use it to reclaim your life.

Discover 5 ways to manage anger-driven OCD with expert insights from an Italian CBT psychotherapist in Edinburgh. Online therapy available.

04/02/2026

Reassurance can feel like a lifeline…
but in OCD and anxiety, it often becomes the very thing that keeps you stuck.

The problem isn’t that you care too much.
It’s that your brain has learned to treat uncertainty as danger.

And no amount of reassurance can fix that long-term.

In my latest article, I explain:
• why reassurance becomes compulsive
• how it reinforces OCD
• and practical scripts to break the cycle

👉 Read it here:
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/02/04/reassurance-seeking/

Are you stuck in the loop of “Just one more question…” — but it never really helps? 😞Reassurance seeking can feel comfor...
04/02/2026

Are you stuck in the loop of “Just one more question…” — but it never really helps? 😞

Reassurance seeking can feel comforting in the moment, but for many people with and , it quietly becomes a compulsion that feeds the problem instead of solving it.

If you’ve ever found yourself:

asking the same question again and again,

needing constant validation from others,

or feeling briefly relieved only for the doubt to return stronger…

you’re not alone — and you’re not broken.

In this new article, I explain:
• why reassurance seeking becomes so addictive
• how it reinforces the OCD cycle
• and practical scripts you can use to stop the spiral

It’s about learning to sit with uncertainty, reclaim your confidence, and reduce anxiety in a way that actually works long-term.

👉 Learn more here:

Discover effective scripts to stop reassurance seeking and manage OCD with expert online therapy in English and Italian.

28/01/2026

“Why am I thinking this?”
“Does this mean something about me?”
“Am I dangerous… or just overthinking?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, you’re not broken — and you’re not alone.

Almost everyone experiences intrusive thoughts.
But when those thoughts stick, spiral, and start running your life, understanding the difference matters.

In this article, I explain how to tell normal intrusive thoughts from OCD, why the distinction is life-changing, and when it’s time to get support.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/28/ocd-or-intrusive-thoughts/














OCD or Intrusive Thoughts? Expert Signs to Differentiate“Do I have OCD… or is this just normal?”That’s a question I hear...
28/01/2026

OCD or Intrusive Thoughts? Expert Signs to Differentiate

“Do I have OCD… or is this just normal?”

That’s a question I hear all the time in my therapy room — and honestly, it’s one many people silently wrestle with at 2am, exhausted and scared by their own thoughts.

Yes, almost everyone has strange, unwanted thoughts.
But when those thoughts stick, cause intense distress, and start demanding mental or physical rituals just to feel “okay” again — that’s when the difference really matters.

In this article, I break down:

Why intrusive thoughts are incredibly common (and what they don’t mean)

The key signs that suggest OCD rather than everyday mental noise

Why it’s not the thoughts themselves, but how your mind responds to them, that changes everything

When it’s time to seek help — and what actually works

Understanding this distinction isn’t academic. It can be life-changing.

👉 Read the full article here: https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/28/ocd-or-intrusive-thoughts/

If you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re experiencing is “normal” or something that deserves proper support, this one’s for you. You deserve clarity — and peace of mind.

OCD or Intrusive Thoughts: Uncover the main signs that set apart OCD from intrusive thoughts, guided by an Edinburgh CBT psychotherapist

26/01/2026

Ever felt scared by what your mind throws at you?
Or wondered whether you should ignore your thoughts or dig deeper into them?

Here’s the truth:
intrusive thoughts and repressed emotions are NOT the same — and they need different approaches.

Trying to “control” the mind often backfires.
Trying to “stay positive” can keep emotions buried.

Your mind isn’t broken.
It’s trying to protect you.

If this resonated, save it, share it, and read the full article via the link
https://www.federicoferrarese.co.uk/2026/01/26/intrusive-thoughts-3/

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My story

I became initially interested in psychology when I was young, and I had the opportunity to do the experience of volunteering in helping people with a problem of addiction. I felt so helpless trying to deal with their issues that I decided to learn more about human behaviour and how to help those in need. I have become more and more interested in the field of psychology during my five years of University. I graduated in Psychology in 1999, and initially, I have chosen to work in the HR sector. After six years of working in this area, I decided to change my career. I started to work as a Psychologist self-employed, and I used the previous skills, that I have achieved as Human Resources Assistant, to help people with physical and learning disability, to find and maintain a job. I enjoyed this experience, and I felt it was necessary to learn more about the brain and the neurophysiology. I started another BSc degree, and I graduated in Neurocognitive Rehabilitation at the University of Padova. Having always pursued study and work that allows me to make an impact on the lives of the vulnerable through a range of approaches, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a field through which I can continue to develop these skills and passions. What excites me most about the potential of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the focus on helping people to learn strategies to modify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. For this reason, I started the CBT training at Queen Margaret University, and I have completed the Diploma level. I use a warm, pragmatic approach and work as a catalyst for positive emotional and behavioural change. I treat adults for assessment and psychological therapy at private practices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.