Ivana Sharp

I am currently seeing clients in person.

I am an accredited, experienced integrative counsellor offering weekly one-to-one counselling sessions. My style is empathic and sensitive, aiming to create a safe space for you to reflect and deepen understanding of what is going on in your life. Together, we can help you feel more present and empowered by increasing awareness of the part you play in co-creating your life. I see our work as a collaborative and creative process with the quality of our relationship at it's heart.

In my experience, most of our problems in living are in one way or another caused by how we relate to ourselves, others and to the wider environment; and how connected we feel with it. When connected, we feel more grounded and safe in the world, knowing our place in it and trusting the flow of life. It is the antidote to anxiety and depression that is so common in these uncertain times. I invite feelings of climate concern and work with people who seek to understand what is their unique contribution to the world in crisis.

I have nine years of experience offering short and long-term therapy. In the past I have worked for CPPD low cost therapy service; as a bereavement counsellor for Brent Bereavement Service and as a short-term service integrative counsellor at a leading mental health charity.

Many people come to therapy wishing to change something about themselves. To me, counselling is not about adding or removing of anything from who you are but rather about orienting yourself in your inner landscape, finding your centre and connecting with different aspects of your being through qualities of respect, acceptance and compassion. I would like to support you in trusting your inner wisdom and goodness, to facilitate your own process of growth to unfold and to accompany you on this journey.

Counselling means spending a lot of time untangling your past and present experiences, understanding how your past might have shaped you and discovering how it might still be affecting you today. But it is not the interpretations and metaphors that impact most upon the people I work with. In my experience, it is the quality and depth of personal engagement in the spirit of emotional honesty and mutual respect that feels most helpful. Something special happens when two people really meet whilst being present with each other and with themselves. In my practice, I aim for these precious moments to happen as I place the authentic relationship between two human beings at the heart of my work.

I usually respond to enquiries within 24 hours.

After the first contact I will suggest we have a short phone or video call to discuss your concerns and whether I can help you. If we both feel positive, we arrange an initial consultation.

This session will lasts 50 minutes and full fee applies. You will get a chance to tell me about your concerns and expectations; ask me questions and also get a feel of what it is like working with me. I might ask you some questions about your background and history but this will not be an assessment session. I will offer some suggestions about what I might be able to help you with and how. After the session, you will be free to decide in your own time whether you wish to continue and get back to me.