First published 21st December 2025

Psychological Tuning

A Research-Informed Framework for Non-Clinical Psychological Wellbeing

Psychological Tuning is a non-clinical, integrative psychological wellbeing framework developed by Valentina D. Diaconu, Academic Psychologist, Psychology Lecturer, Psychoeducation and Mental Wellbeing Practitioner, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, published author and PhD researcher in Psychology.

The framework has been created to support individuals experiencing stress, emotional overload, attentional fatigue and reduced psychological balance, particularly in contexts where therapy does not feel appropriate, necessary or accessible.

Valentina Diaconu is in the final stages of completing a PhD in Educational and Developmental Psychology and is the author of The Science of Happiness: 20 Rules for a Happy Life. Her work bridges academic psychology, psychoeducation and applied wellbeing practice, with a strong emphasis on ethical boundaries, scientific grounding and accessibility.

Psychological Tuning is grounded in established psychological and physiological research and is designed to translate academic psychological knowledge into structured, ethically bounded wellbeing support. It does not involve diagnosis, psychotherapy or medical treatment. Instead, it focuses on supporting self-regulation, awareness and balance through evidence-informed guidance and practices.

Rationale for the Framework

Modern life places sustained demands on cognitive, emotional and physiological systems. Research consistently demonstrates that prolonged stress and emotional load can disrupt attention, emotional regulation, behaviour, interpersonal functioning and physical wellbeing. At the same time, many individuals experiencing these challenges do not meet criteria for clinical intervention or may not wish to engage with therapy.

Psychological Tuning was developed to address this gap between self-help and clinical services in an informed and practical manner. It offers a first-level, preventative approach to psychological wellbeing that does not pathologise distress. The framework is informed by the understanding that many difficulties arise from dysregulation rather than disorder, and that increasing awareness and regulation can support meaningful improvements in wellbeing.

Core Principles of Psychological Tuning:

Non-clinical and preventative

The framework is designed for wellbeing support rather than clinical treatment. It does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and operates within clear professional and ethical boundaries.

Self-regulation rather than symptom focus

The emphasis is on understanding and regulating internal responses to stress, emotion and attentional demands, rather than targeting symptoms in isolation. The framework adopts a guided approach that scaffolds self-help through the integration of multiple strategies.

Mind–body integration

Psychological experience is understood as embodied. The framework recognises the bidirectional relationship between cognition, emotion, physiology and behaviour.

Psychoeducation and transparency

Psychological knowledge is shared in an accessible and respectful way, empowering individuals to understand their own responses and develop long-term self-regulation skills.

Personalisation and collaboration

Sessions are tailored to individual needs and goals. Clients actively contribute through shared decision-making and remain fully aware, engaged and in control throughout the process.

Theoretical and Empirical Foundations

Psychological Tuning draws on well-established bodies of research, including stress and emotion regulation theory, neurovisceral integration and autonomic regulation models, mindfulness and attentional control research, sensory regulation and music psychology, gut–brain axis research, and cognitive-behavioural principles related to habits, cognition and behaviour change.

The framework does not claim novel mechanisms. Its contribution lies in the structured, ethically framed integration of these evidence-based principles into a coherent non-clinical wellbeing approach.

Key Components of the Framework

Depending on individual needs, Psychological Tuning may integrate guided attention and relaxation, mindfulness-informed approaches, sensory regulation and sound including crystal singing bowls, gut–brain awareness without nutritional prescription unless the practitioner is appropriately qualified, cognitive and habit awareness, and reflective integration to support longer-term self-regulation.

The framework’s originality lies in its intentional sequencing, ethical boundaries and reflective integration of multiple evidence-based approaches within a single non-clinical psychological structure.

Application in Practice

Psychological Tuning is currently delivered through structured, non-clinical sessions within private practice at Tranquility Lounge: Mind and Body Therapies, founded and led by Valentina Diaconu. Sessions are calm, transparent and collaborative. Individuals remain fully aware and in control at all times.

Elements informed by hypnotherapy theory, such as focused attention and deep relaxation, may be used in an awareness-based and non-suggestive manner, without inducing altered states or delivering hypnotherapy.

The framework can support challenges such as stress, anxiety, emotional overload, difficulty switching off, work-related and academic pressure, relationship strain and stress-related habits. It is also suitable for individuals seeking greater self-awareness, balance, resilience and preventative wellbeing support.

Outcome Monitoring and Evaluation

As part of reflective, evidence-informed practice, Psychological Tuning incorporates routine outcome monitoring. Self-report measures of perceived stress and positive mental wellbeing are administered before the first session and after completion of the final session.

This supports monitoring of individual change over time and informs service development. This approach reflects a commitment to reflective practice and continuous evaluation rather than claims of efficacy at this stage.

As sufficient data accumulate, there is potential for future observational research examining patterns of change associated with Psychological Tuning, subject to appropriate ethical approval.

Ethical Boundaries and Scope

Psychological Tuning is not therapy and does not replace medical or mental health treatment. Where individuals present with needs that fall outside the scope of non-clinical wellbeing support, appropriate signposting to clinical or specialist services is provided.

The framework is delivered in line with professional ethical standards, prioritising autonomy, informed consent, transparency and psychological safety. Client consent is fully informed and reviewed throughout the process.

Founder Statement

The framework reflects an integrative approach informed by academic research, teaching and applied psychological practice and is intended as an evolving framework, open to ongoing evaluation, dialogue and refinement within ethical and professional boundaries.

Psychological Tuning is a framework originally developed by Valentina D. Diaconu, Academic Psychologist, Psychology Lecturer, Psychoeducation and Mental Wellbeing Practitioner, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, published author and PhD researcher.

How to cite Psychological Tuning:

Diaconu, V. D. (2025). Psychological Tuning: A research-informed Level 0 framework for non-clinical psychological wellbeing (Version 1, 2025). Author

https://www.tranquilitylounge.co.uk/official-psychological-tuning-page-a-new-framework 

Last updated: 22/12/2025

© 2025 Valentina Denisa Diaconu. All rights reserved.

Psychological Tuning is an original framework and may not be reproduced, adapted, or distributed without permission.

The full framework paper available here:

Psychological Tuning is an original non-clinical psychological wellbeing framework developed by Valentina D. Diaconu. The framework name, structure, and written description were first published on this website on 21st December 2025.