Anna Maria Mangion

Registered Psychologist & Jungian Analyst

Hi, I’m Anna. Presently I work in private practice with adults of different ages coming from all walks of life presenting with depression and anxiety, trauma and PTSD, addictions, unhealthy relational patterns, psychosomatic ailments, problems of adjustment, grief and loss. Some people come feeling lost and lacking purpose. Others have developed personality problems. Others come asking questions to grow and develop more. My experience lies in working through all this. Before going into private practice, I was working in a private psychiatric hospital for addictions and mental health recovery.

But I started my career teaching science. Then I went on to social work, working in domestic violence and abuse. I have worked in the community, in university counselling services, in hospitals and in private practice. I have been a member of different boards and took up various leadership positions. I also lectured in psychology in tertiary education.

Education & Training

  • B.A.(Gen) Social Studies and Psychology
  • B.A.(Hons) Psychology
  • M.Psy.(Couns) – Masters in Counselling Psychology
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Supervision (Integrative)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Jungian Analysis

Professional Memberships

  • General Registration as Psychologist in Australia (AHPRA) – Reg. No. PSY0002198792
  • Member of the International Association for Analytical Psychology (IAAP)
  • Registered Counselling Psychologist Malta
  • Registered Gestalt Psychotherapist Malta
  • Registered Supervisor Malta

More About Me…

What areas do you specialize in/are passionate about?

I believe that my work as a psychologist is to help people gain a deeper understanding of their personalities. Often, we go for psychotherapy when are struggling, when we have symptoms, when we experience ourselves failing or when we have lost our aliveness. My passion is to get to know my client and together find out what is at the bottom of the issues experienced, what can set the person on the right track. I am passionate about finding a way through, emerging more self-aware and capable to respond, and continue the work of one’s life. Thus, I am very passionate to work with trauma, to work with psychosomatic symptoms, to work through difficult feelings, to work with relational stuckness and other life issues that challenge us to stop and ask ourselves: “What is going on?” and following that “Where am I going? What do I want?”

What does therapy mean to you?

Therapy is a professional relationship that is bound by ethics which make it safe for therapeutic work to happen. In therapy honesty and transparency are essential. The professional holds and walks with the client so that the client can look at difficulties, at aspects that need to develop. In therapy, we work through the suffering by touching what is painful, fearful, disgusting, shameful and what makes us so angry. We learn how to handle things better, and how to accept them. We grieve and then we move on to find calm and peace, hopefully also grow wiser.

What kind of people/clients do you work with or like working with?

I work with whoever presents to me because I know I am honest with my client and would let them know that if there is no fit between us, and if I am not the right person or if the client is not yet ready to do the work, I would let the client know of my assessment. But my favourite clients are people who are motivated to do the work, who are ready, to be honest even if it hurts and if it’s scary. I like people who are willing and open to look at themselves and take up responsibility for themselves. I like people who can see that what is bringing them to therapy is what can set them on a path of growth to become more whole.

How would you describe your style and approach to therapy?

In my work, I listen attentively and try to understand. I want to know my client’s story, how the client functions in conscious life and also what the unconscious is saying through dreams, fantasies, symptoms, mental health issues. I work with the client’s needs and wants and do give clients tools and education. What I found most effective and satisfying as an outcome to therapy is when the client connects to the body, allows her/himself to be vulnerable and touch feelings, let go of enslaving defences, connect to and start healing the inner child; then continue the spiritual journey of experiencing life as it comes daring to be alive in the experience connecting to the inner self. This is my style and approach which I have built over time through experience.

Do you have any tips for people new to therapy? Or people struggling with their mental health/anxiety/depression or an area you specialise in?
  • You don’t have to do it alone. Reach out.
  • Do not settle for quick fixes. Invest in yourself.
  • Aim to know yourself. You are your best asset.
  • Be willing, open, trusting and honest.
  • What you are struggling with has meaning.
  • Our life journey is through suffering. Through suffering, we heal. Healing will bring peace and freedom.
  • We are body, heart and mind, soul and spirit.