Irina Counselling
LLM DipHIC MBACP
Hello and welcome to a sanctuary where courage meets compassion, and the search for well-being begins
I am Irina, a dedicated Humanistic Integrative therapist, and I commend you for the bravery it takes to seek support. The journey of therapy is a collaborative one, where together, we build a relationship that becomes the cornerstone of meaningful change.
I provide one-to-one Humanistic and Integrative counselling for adults in central Bristol (Queen Square and Redcliffe) as well as online sessions for clients based anywhere.
I offer a free 30 minute intro session to discuss the prospect of working together.
When you feel overwhelmed, fearful, angry, sad, lost, unfocused, disconnected, lonely, spiralling on your thoughts or hooked on certain behaviours, it can be helpful to have someone supportive alongside you, to help you feel what you can not bear to feel alone. If you feel that the support offered by a friend or family member is too much for them, or not enough for you, counselling provides a safe space where you can access an understanding than runs deeper than words.
I've personally experienced the difference that having a non-judgemental, empathic, and interested therapist beside me can make and I would like to offer that back. When we are truly seen and heard by another, we can discover more of ourselves. Maya Angelou once said that 'there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.'
The results of therapy can be immensely rewarding, transformative, empowering and can lead to shifts in the way we feel about ourselves and others. It often involves the consideration of whether there are any changes we might make to improve our quality of life, finding a deeper, more fulfilling connection with oneself and others. As your therapist, my goal is to support you on this journey and to facilitate your understanding, encouraging self-discovery and the realisation of your full potential.
At the heart of my practice lies the belief that therapy is not just about talking; it's about discovering, understanding, integrating and transforming. This can be an opportunity to rewrite the story of the self. I place great value on the therapeutic relationship, working with you in mind, and I believe that ‘The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives’ (Esther Perel).
“Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” (Paulo Coelho)
There is hope
Psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich emphasised that people tend to remain unwell because they continue to find the same wrong solutions to the problems they hope to change.
There is robust scientific evidence showing that our mind and brain have an amazing capacity to adapt, learn and unlearn through a process called neuroplasticity. Dr Joe Dispenza writes about strong scientific basis for how the power of the human spirit can heal our bodies and our lives, introducing the concept of evolving our brain.
In the 'Neuroscience of psychotherapy', Louis Cozolino highlights the fact that therapy can be a catalyst for such change, as the human brain grows in response to challenges and new learning created within enriched environment.
Counselling can help you to gather the strengths and skills needed to overcome a range of difficulties, such as anxiety, stress, depression, unhealthy and often self-destructive behaviours, addiction, relationship difficulties or significant life changes.
Perhaps there is something that you can’t quite define, but makes you feel down, lost, disconnected or empty and it becomes difficult to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I believe that when we are truly listened to, guided empathetically and non-judgementally, we can access our own answers, our own inner-wisdom.
About Integrative counselling
As an integrative therapist, I believe that there is no “one size fits all” approach but the one that works for you. I would like to help you address what is distressing you and support you in making whatever changes you need to make to navigate these difficulties. In this process, I like to work creatively, incorporating elements of compassion and mindfulness. I will encourage you to talk about your feelings and take responsibility for your thoughts and actions.
Specializing in a range of concerns, from anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, addiction to identity, and self-perception issues, my practice is a testament to the diversity of human experience. I am particularly drawn to the exploration of identity, sense of self, and the richness of diversity, believing strongly in the uniqueness of each individual's story.
Through our work together we’ll explore your story with empathy and curiosity, aiming to really understand what's happened to you in the past, and how this might be affecting your present, seeking ways to move away from the fingerprints of trauma in our lives.
About me
I am a qualified counsellor, trained at the Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy, level 6 equivalent, and a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, abiding by their Ethical Framework.
I am a recognised healthcare provider for WPA, a leading healthcare insurer.
I also hold a Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) certificate from Oxford Mindfulness Foundation and have studied law (LL.M).
As a counsellor, I've worked with a generous range of people including those experiencing: addiction, negative self-perception, fragile sense of self, depression, relationship trauma, personal boundary issues, anxiety, terminal illness, loss, social stigma or discrimination.
My path to becoming a therapist was inspired by my own experiences and the transformative impact of empathic, non-judgmental support. With a background in law and further training at BCPC, I bring a unique blend of analytical skills and emotional intelligence to my practice.
Outside the therapy room, I enjoy travelling and connecting with nature. I am passionate about capturing life’s moments through photography and pursuing a mindful way of living. One thing that I’ve learned over the years is that we can travel many places but there is no place like the home of our own true self, the most amazing world to explore.
Getting started
If you would like to ask me any questions or arrange an initial appointment, please complete the contact form below. I aim to respond within 24 hours.
During our initial session, we will discuss what brings you to therapy, what you would like to explore, your therapeutic goals and hopes.
If we feel we're a good fit, we will then agree on a weekly time to meet.