You are the only person who can truly inhabit your life. Let’s help you find your way back to your Vera Essenza.
Unlearning Control, Remembering Essence
Hello. I’m Lavinia, and I’m so glad you’ve found your way to Vera Essenza.
My journey into holistic healing began in the world of words and systems. With a background in Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, I spent years fascinated by how language can shape our reality—and how it can be used to exert control. Eventually, I realised that the dynamics of power I studied in linguistics mirrored the dynamics I saw in my own life and in the lives of those navigating personal trauma. Whether it is a societal structure or a close personal relationship, the consequence of control is often the same: to distance us from our own truth.
For a long time, I tried to "think" my way out of past experiences. I became adept at analysing other people’s psychology—as well as my own—to find meaning, only to realise that understanding a fire does not heal the burns. True recovery required me to travel inward through deep, internal inquiry. I also had to learn to find a sense of safety directly within the body, ultimately realising that the body—not the mind—is the primary vessel for reconnecting with my essence.
Today, I balance my in-person holistic practice with this global digital space, offering a blend of intellectual insight and practical, heart-centered recovery. I am not here to be a "guru." The purpose of this project is to help you reclaim the leadership role in your own life. My role is to provide the tools—the insights and somatic practices—that empower you to become the master of your own healing.
Reclaiming Your True Nature
When we experience psychological or emotional abuse, the damage goes deeper than words. It is an assault on our very sense of self. This type of trauma forces us to suppress our instincts, quiet our voices, and hide our light just to survive.
I chose the name Vera Essenza—"True Essence"—because I believe healing is not about becoming someone "new." It is about the courageous act of remembering our true identity and nature.
Moving from Understanding to Embodiment
In the beginning of recovery, we are often consumed by the "Why."
Why did this happen? Why did they act that way? Why didn't I see it sooner? This stage is foundational. Understanding the psychology of power, control, and manipulation is the vital first step to breaking the spell of gaslighting. It gives us the language to describe our reality, and I always recommend the many incredible resources available that focus on these cognitive dynamics.
However, there is a specific limit to what the mind can do. Psychological abuse doesn’t just change our thoughts; it rewires our nervous system. It teaches our bodies to live in a state of constant "high alert," scanning for danger and suppressing our own instincts to keep the peace. You can understand the "why" perfectly and still feel the physical crushing of anxiety in your chest or the exhaustion of a body that doesn't feel safe. While the mind processes the past, the body lives in the present.
Understanding patterns is a vital first step. But Vera Essenza is designed to support the next stage of the journey too: the return to yourself. This is a space dedicated to mind-body balance. When we have been conditioned to live outside of ourselves—constantly scanning the environment for danger or approval—we lose touch with our physical and emotional center. My mission is to help you bridge that gap through my articles here on this blog (spanning practical somatic tools, Aromatherapy for body, mind and spirit, and reflective insights) and Energy Healing sessions.
I offer private online Reiki as well as group sessions to help you connect with your most authentic and grounded self, and feel safe in your own skin again. Read more about my Online Reiki Offerings here.
Training & Credentials
Holistic practice:
- ITEC Diploma in Holistic Massage
- ITEC Certificate in Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Professional Diploma in Aromatherapy
- Reiki Usui, Level II
Academic background:
- MA, Modern Linguistics — Pegaso University, Naples
- MA & BA in Linguistic, Literary, and Translation Studies / Intercultural Communication — Sapienza University of Rome
Sources Cited:
- Jung, C. G. (1969). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious. Princeton University Press.
- Bach, E. (1931). Heal Thyself: An Explanation of the Real Cause and Cure of Disease.
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