What Drives Human Behavior: Alumnus Andrea Livoli

Born and raised in Rome, Andrea Livoli earned a B.A. in Psychological Science with a Minor in Marketing from JCU in 2023. He was accepted into the Laurea Magistrale program in Clinical and Dynamic Psychology at Sapienza University of Rome. He recently completed an internship at the Istituto per lo Studio delle Psicoterapie. 

Tell us about your background.
I was born and raised in Rome in a Jewish family that instilled in me a deep respect for religious traditions, a strong set of values, and a unique upbringing. From kindergarten through high school, I studied in Jewish academic institutions where I had the chance to study my culture, appreciate religious values, and learn Hebrew. Additionally, this experience allowed me to receive a scholarship from the Jewish community of Rome which supported my studies at JCU. All of this highlights how much my Jewish background has always been fundamental to who I am and continues to shape my identity. 

Moreover, I come from a family where love, respect, freedom of expression, responsibility, and hard work have always been fundamental. My grandfather and mother played a crucial role in my decision to study at JCU, as they were familiar with the University and spoke highly of it. Additionally, my dad has always encouraged me to pursue my beliefs and ideas. In essence, my family passed me fundamental values that motivated me to study at JCU, an international environment that aligns with my aspirations, lifestyle, and goals. 
 
What made you choose JCU for your B.A. in Psychological Science? 
I am a hard worker with multiple goals. Thus, the chance to develop a high level of English proficiency, pursue my passion for psychology, explore another subject of interest through a minor, and immerse myself in an international, open-minded environment, were all compelling reasons to choose JCU. Additionally, I believe that studying with a scholarship awarded based on merit serves as a strong testament to my achievements and will be helpful for my future.  
 
What led you to minor in Marketing? 
I have always been fascinated by marketing, and in particular by advertising. I am intrigued by how marketing integrates psychological principles to influence consumer behaviors, and utilizes various tools, such as specific colors or strategic wording, to attract and engage customers. While marketing is often seen as closely related to economics, I believe it is an extension of psychology focusing not just on numbers, but on understanding human behavior as consumers. Fundamentally, it is about understanding what drives people, which is why it aligns with my interest in psychology. 

Congratulations on being accepted to Sapienza University of Rome for a Laurea Magistrale in Clinical and Dynamic Psychology. Tell us something about the program and what you will be studying. 
Thank you so much. Everything I learned during my three years at JCU has made this opportunity possible. I will be enrolling in a program entirely taught in English to maintain the skills I acquired at JCU. The class will consist of 45 Italian and 15 international students, selected from hundreds of applicants based on an entrance exam and academic credentials. In addition to classes, there will be a six-month training period at a partner institution of my choice through La Sapienza, along with some lab work. Specifically, this program aims to train psychologists with practical skills in dynamic and clinical psychology, tailored to various settings. These settings include consulting at educational institutions from the early stages of schooling, intervention services to promote health among individuals and families during developmental stages, public and private organizations dedicated to mental health protection during adolescence, and facilities involved in diagnosing and supporting mental health for victims of abuse. The program allows participants to specialize in two different fields: after six months, students decide whether to focus on Sex Psychology or Developmental Pathology. In essence, the Master’s Degree in Applied Dynamic and Clinical Psychology provides an education that equips students with the skills necessary for socio-healthcare interventions, mental health promotion, and supporting individual adaptation throughout the life cycle. 

What JCU classes and/or professors had the strongest impact on you and why?
Professors Paola Castelli, Thomas Hope, and Nicola Petrocchi had the greatest impact on me during my studies. Professor Castelli, in particular, taught us the value of hard work and the importance of earning, and deserving our achievements. Her approachable nature, while maintaining professional boundaries and putting students to the test motivated me to put my best effort into her classes, which were surely the most challenging ones I did at JCU.  Professor Castelli’s classes were always the most demanding in terms of effort and time spent studying, but in the end, they are the ones where students learn more about psychology and the reality of the profession. Moreover, Professor Hope was fundamental in boosting my confidence in my skills. I often felt like my English was not good enough and there was always someone who was performing better than me, especially in a challenging class like his. However, Professor Hope, whom I really admire for his knowledge and skills, was the first to congratulate me on my performance and English, particularly considering I am Italian. His encouragement gave me confidence and the belief in my capacity to reach a higher level of performance. Lastly, Professor Petrocchi’s classes were the most engaging, particularly those on health psychology and clinical psychology, where I learned practical skills essential for clinical psychologists. I would also like to mention Professor Elaine Luti, whose courses on abnormal psychology and child psychology were outstanding.
 
You recently completed an internship at the Istituto per lo Studio delle Psicoterapie. Tell us about it. 
At this organization, clinical psychologists conduct classes and offer trainees the opportunity to observe clinical therapy sessions, transcribe them, watch related videos, and learn about various practices such as hypnosis or unique pet therapies like equine therapy. Most importantly, the internship provides trainees with the chance to screen patients through 15-minute phone calls with individuals seeking help from a clinical psychologist. During these calls, I was the first to hear about their stories and personal issues, and I completed assessment forms to forward to the organization, which then matched patients with the most suitable psychologist. I also gained experience with various tests, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, and assisted professionals in preparing for interviews related to their field.  

What are your plans for the future? 
I would like to become a clinical therapist with my own practice. Over the past few months, I have studied new techniques and worked with a company that exports machinery for treating disorders such as depression or OCD through transcranial magnetic stimulation of those areas of the brain responsible for these conditions. I believe this technology has revolutionary potential, and I would like to incorporate it into my future practice. Also, I hope, to combine this profession, with my passion for marketing, and most importantly to continue to do what makes me happy.  

In the short term, I aim to maintain the English and marketing skills that I acquired at JCU by continuing my studies in English, assisting my family business, and most importantly excelling at La Sapienza.