Anna Armentano Psychologist

02/02/2026

Second Event of the Year: Celebrating Women in Business Supporting Each Other!

I'm excited to announce the second event of the year! This will be a fantastic opportunity for women in business to come together, connect, and empower one another. Please note, as this event is limited to just 8 spaces, be sure to email me at armentanna06@yahoo.co.uk to secure your spot.

I can't wait to meet and collaborate with all of you! 🙂

24/01/2026

Happy Saturday everyone! 😊

It's clearout weekend for me and I'd like to give away these magazines to any colleague or counselling student, or enyone who would like them. There are a lot, so it can be split between people or it can be taken all at once (preferable)!

I'm not asking for money, but I would appreciate a donation to Sheffield ME and Fibromyalgia Group. Mandy Jeffcock is tagged for transparency as I'm unable to tag the group directly 😕

Collection ASAP from Sheffield S9 3DG.
Inbox me for more details 📩

21/01/2026

Today, I want to talk about and the effect. Here it goes:

Attention, Perception and Pain: The “Ticking Clock” Effect.
A helpful psychological example to understand chronic pain comes from how our attention affects perception. Imagine sitting in a quiet room with a clock ticking. At first, the ticking may seem loud and irritating, especially once you notice it. The more you focus on the sound, the louder and more intrusive it appears. However, when you become absorbed in a conversation, a book, or a task, the ticking often fades into the background, sometimes disappearing from awareness altogether.
The clock has not changed – but your attention has.
Pain works in a very similar way. When pain becomes the main focus of attention, the brain amplifies the signal, making it feel deeper, stronger and more overwhelming. This is because the brain is designed to prioritise what it believes is important or threatening. Constant monitoring of pain keeps the nervous system on high alert, increasing sensitivity.
When attention is gently redirected towards meaningful activities, connection or calming experiences the pain signal often reduces in intensity or becomes easier to tolerate. Again, the pain may still be present, but it takes up less space.
Why This Matters for Emotional Wellbeing?
People living with chronic pain often feel they have no choice but to focus on it. This can create a cycle where:
- Pain draws attention
- Attention increases pain intensity
- Increased pain heightens fear, frustration or low mood.
Understanding that attention influences pain does not mean pain is imagined or under conscious control. Instead, it shows that the brain plays an active role in how pain is experienced and that this role can be gently influenced.
Practical Ways to Use This Insight:
1) Engage the mind: Choose activities that are absorbing but realistic for your energy levels (e.g., audiobooks, puzzles, creative tasks).
2) Shift attention intentionally: When pain flares, try asking, “What else can I notice right now?” (sounds, textures, colours, smells).
3) Practice mindfulness: Learn to notice pain without analysing or judging it, allowing it to move in and out of awareness.
4) Balance awareness: Check in with pain when needed, but avoid constant monitoring, which can unintentionally amplify it.

A Reassuring Message
Just as a ticking clock becomes quieter when life draws us elsewhere, pain can soften when attention is broadened. This does not require forcing pain away, only allowing space for other experiences to coexist alongside it.
Dr Anna Armentano – www.armentanoanna.com

Anna Armentano Psychologist Specialized in working with children and adults, offering Psychological Assessment, EMDR Therapy, Flash Technique, Counselling, Art Psychotherapy and Mindfulness My services EHCP Assessment & Report Offering private EHCP to respond to the ongoing demand. This can also be....

05/01/2026

Important information for parents and carers (especially SEND families).

I am sharing this post after being contacted by several families who have raised concerns about school transport arrangements for children with SEND who are attending school on reduced timetables.

In a number of cases, families have been advised by their local authority (LA) that where a child is classified as part-time, school transport may be withdrawn or parents may be asked to contribute financially if the school cannot cover the cost. This has understandably caused anxiety and confusion among parents, carers and legal guardians.

Having reviewed the relevant guidance, a recurring issue appears to be the misclassification of pupils as “part-time” without a proper assessment of their actual weekly hours of attendance.

According to Department for Education (DfE) guidance, a pupil should only be recorded as part-time where they attend fewer than 25 hours per week. Importantly, the DfE is clear that pupils who attend 25 hours or more remain full-time, even where they are on a reduced timetable for medical or other authorised reasons. A reduced timetable, in itself, does NOT make a pupil part-time.

Where pupils are incorrectly recorded as part-time, this can lead to:

1) Inappropriate local authority intervention
2) Reviews or withdrawal of SEND-related school transport
3) Requests for parental financial contributions
4) Increased stress and disruption for families

DfE guidance also emphasises that reduced timetables should be time-limited, closely monitored, and reviewed regularly, and that decisions affecting attendance status and associated support must be based on accurate information and lawful criteria.

Based on the concerns raised by families, the following steps may be helpful:

a) Ask schools or LAs to provide a clear calculation of weekly attendance hours.

b) Request written clarification of whether a child is full-time on a reduced timetable, in line with DfE guidance.

c) Challenge any “part-time” classification that is made without proper checks or evidence.

d) Ensure that decisions about transport or SEND provision are proportionate, transparent, and legally sound.

This issue is particularly significant for SEND families, where incorrect assumptions can result in unnecessary distress and financial pressure.
If you need more support or advice please do not hesitate to contact me directly at info@armentanoanna.com

01/01/2026

Best wishes to everyone, let's make another year count! 😊🎉❤️

31/12/2025

Everyone

As this year draws to a close, I find myself pausing with deep gratitude to reflect on the many blessings it has carried and, on the extraordinary people, clients, families and schools I have had the privilege to walk alongside. This year has been fulfilling and inspiring, and at times undeniably challenging. It has asked for courage, resilience and perseverance, often, in ways that tested my inner strength.

Those who know me well know that I do not retreat from challenges. And 2025 brought many: some brief and manageable, others more complex and enduring. Yet here I stand grounded, grateful and deeply aware that gratitude is what gives meaning to the journey. No matter how difficult the path, if we are able to stand at the end of it, it means we endured, we learned and we grew.

I also want to hold space for those who have experienced profound loss and tragedy. When I say tragedy, I mean it in its fullest sense. Please know this: you have not been forgotten. Not you, not your loved ones, and not the tears that may still surface long after others expect them to have dried. Your pain matters, and your story continues to deserve compassion and remembrance.

When we stand together, we become stronger. Together, we can transform hardship into meaningful change and redirect our collective energy toward something more humane, more just and more hopeful.

As we welcome the year ahead, I wish each of you strength, peace, joy and good health. May we plant seeds of harmony and understanding for the generations to come, in a world that has already known far too much hatred, war and injustice. Teach your children to cherish the present and to value what cannot be bought, because in learning this, they learn the foundations of lasting happiness.

Thank you for your trust, your support and for allowing me to be part of your journey. I move into 2026 with gratitude and hope, looking forward to another year together.

With heartfelt appreciation and warm wishes for the New Year.

23/12/2025

Dear all,

I wanted to share some exciting updates, especially as I have been a little quieter online over the past few months.

I have officially stepped away from my NHS role to fully dedicate myself to growing my private practice and focusing on what I love most: supporting others. Looking ahead, 2026 will be a year full of new opportunities, so please stay tuned for a range of group activities I am planning, designed to support different needs and areas of emotional growth.

Alongside this, a key priority for me will continue to be my work within education and my support for families navigating the long and often complex EHCP process. I am very aware of local authority waiting lists and the significant delays many families face in accessing appropriate support and intervention - particularly for children experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA) or currently missing school.

To support this, I am planning to run parent support groups, both in person and online, to reach as many families as possible. These groups will offer a safe and supportive space to bring worries and concerns, share experiences, and explore practical and effective ways forward together.

If this resonates with you, please keep reading, sharing, and inviting friends to follow along so we can continue to grow as a community.

In the meantime, I wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas, with hope for a brighter and more supported 2026.

With love and sincere appreciation for your continued support,
Anna 😊

22/10/2025

In Memory of Harvey ❤️

Today we are reminded of a tragic loss.

Harvey was killed in school on the 3rd of February 2025, a day when time stood still.
Cold blood was shed in a place meant for learning and laughter, leaving behind terrified children and speechless silence that humanity can barely comprehend.

The story spread rapidly. Denial filled the air. We all held our breath, hoping for a miracle.
But the truth was a blade, cutting into the heart of a young, innocent soul full of hope and dreams.

That name, Harvey, will forever echo in my mind, with the memory of his fun, humour, and kindness.

Today is the sentencing day.
Today is not a closure.
You cannot close the bond between a parent and a child so tragically taken.

Today, the nation mourns again, two families broken, both victims in their own way, both having lost their children.
May this be a wake-up call to our government: the system is failing families and children who suffer in silence. It must change.

Let’s stop taking life for granted.
Let’s stand together and push for real change to prevent another tragedy like this.

Hug your child a little tighter today. Tell them how much they mean to you: not tomorrow, not later, now.

To Caroline and the family: please know that .
The whole nation is mourning with you for Harvey, and for every child lost too soon. 💔

09/10/2025

Let’s stop the blaming culture!

Finger-pointing, scapegoating, blackmailing, or victimising families and children is NOT okay.

No child is born naughty, disruptive, lazy, or disrespectful.

Behaviour is a message, a sign of an unmet need that a child doesn’t yet know how to express.

Punitive, rigid, or overly strict approaches don’t “fix” behaviour.
They only fuel anger, frustration, and resentment, often leading to explosive outcomes.

If you recognise these behaviours in your child, please reach out for help.

Don’t wait! Prevention is the best form of treatment. ❤️

03/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting last night. It was very helpful to hear your stories and, more importantly, knowing that in this journey.

I've spoken to Caroline and we would like to start 2 support groups, one for parents/carers/grandparents and one for children/young adults.

Watch this space for updates and invite other friends, families or neighbours that couldn't attend last night. Thank you 🙏

28/09/2025

*Topic chosen by you: Mobile Applications.

Parent-focused explanation about why mobile app age recommendations matter and the risks for children accessing unsuitable apps, including possible emotional, psychological, and social consequences:

📱 Mobile app age ratings (like PEGI, 13+, or App Store ratings) are designed to help parents and guardians understand:

Content appropriateness, whether the app includes violence, sexual themes, profanity, gambling, or other mature topics.

Privacy considerations, whether the app collects personal data, tracks location, or has in-app purchases that may target children.

Complexity and developmental fit, whether the app is designed for a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social stage.

Ignoring these recommendations can expose children to content or interactions they are not emotionally equipped to handle.

⚠️ Risks and dangers of unsuitable apps for children: exposure to inappropriate content.

Violence, horror, or graphic imagery can cause fear, anxiety, or desensitization.

Sexual content or suggestive themes can confuse children and affect healthy development.

➡️ Online predators & unsafe interactions:

Apps with chat functions or multiplayer features can allow strangers to contact children.

Grooming, manipulation, or cyberbullying are risks if privacy controls are not set.

Addiction and overuse:

Many apps are designed to be addictive (endless scrolling, rewards).

Children may struggle to regulate screen time, affecting sleep, focus, and mood.

Privacy violations:

Children may unknowingly share personal information or location data.

Some apps collect data for advertising, raising security concerns.

In-App purchases and financial risk:

Children may make accidental purchases, leading to unexpected expenses.

Gambling-like mechanics (loot boxes, microtransactions) may encourage risky behavior.

Misinformation & unrealistic expectations:

Apps can promote harmful beauty standards, dangerous challenges, or fake news.

This can distort self-image and affect mental health.

🧠 Possible emotional and psychological consequences:
Anxiety or Fear, exposure to scary or violent content can lead to nightmares, hypervigilance, or avoidance behaviors.

Aggression or Desensitization, constant exposure to violence may normalize aggression or reduce empathy.

Low Self-Esteem, social comparison on apps (like social media) can cause feelings of inadequacy or depression.

Behavioral Issues, overuse can cause irritability, impulsivity, or attention problems.

Addictive Tendencies, dopamine-driven app design can set patterns for compulsive behavior later in life.

👨‍👩‍👧 Recommendations for parents:
Check App Ratings Before Downloading.
Use App Store/Google Play age ratings and read user reviews.

Use Parental Controls. Enable restrictions on app downloads, purchases, and screen time.

Test the App Yourself. Experience it before allowing your child to use it.

Talk Openly. Discuss online safety, privacy, and what to do if they see something upsetting.

Model Healthy Digital Habits. Children imitate adult behavior; balanced use sets a good example.

👇Here is a list of apps you must be aware of. Enlarge the image to read the risks for each one of them...

26/09/2025

Some reflectiond about and

Labeling and punishing children for their behavior can cause long term harm, reinforcing negative beliefs about themselves and shutting down their willingness to cooperate. A more compassionate, understanding, and curious approach leads to much better outcomes. Here's a guide to turn this perspective into positive action:

1. Shift the mindset
From: “This child is naughty/lazy/disrespectful/disruptive.”

To: “This child is communicating an unmet need, big emotion, or skill gap.”

This shift opens the door for curiosity and problem-solving rather than judgment.

2. Instead of reacting immediately: take a breath and notice what just happened.

Ask yourself:
What might my child be feeling right now?

What need is this behavior expressing?

What skill is missing that I can help them build?

3. Get down to their level physically.

Use a calm tone and open body language.

Validate feelings before discussing behavior:

“I can see you’re frustrated. That must feel really hard.”

When a child feels seen and heard, they’re more likely to engage in finding a solution.

4. Instead of punishment (which teaches fear or resentment), focus on teaching:

Problem-solving:
“What can we do next time when we feel angry?”

Emotional regulation:
Show calming techniques like deep breathing or taking a break.

Repair:
Help them make amends if they hurt someone (“Would you like to write them a card or say sorry?”).

5. Acknowledge their efforts and identity:

“You are learning how to calm your body.”

“You worked so hard to solve that problem.”

“You are kind and thoughtful, I saw how you helped your friend.”

This strengthens a child’s sense of capability and belonging.

6. Model what you want to see because children learn through watching.

Show respect, patience, and accountability even when you make mistakes.

Saying: “I was frustrated earlier, and I spoke too loudly. I’m sorry. I’ll try to be calmer next time,” teaches responsibility far more than lectures.

7. Invite children to be part of the process (collaborate):

“What would help you remember to do your homework?”

“How can we make mornings less stressful?”

When they have a voice, they are more likely to follow through.

8. Focus on long term growth because behavior is a skill-building opportunity.

The goal is to raise emotionally intelligent, resilient, and compassionate adults NOT simply compliant children.

➡️ If really struggling, seek professional support because early intervention is key to positive changes because