Olena Baeva

Please advise you preferred times and I will come back to you with my earliest availability.

Olena Baeva, MA, MBACP

Welcome!

You may be searching for a counsellor for yourself or for you and your partner; or, you may be looking for a single session to run your ideas by a neutral non-judgemental party or, for helpful resources. In all cases, I wish you the very best and welcome you to my listing.

I am a counselling psychologist specialising in individual and couple therapy. As a practitioner, I am warm, compassionate and neurodiversity affirming, allowing for all the qualities and unexplored aspects of my clients to emerge and be validated.

I developed an early interest in physics and maths, strangely enough, studied psychology and business administration as an undergraduate. There, I conducted a research in the field of deviant behaviour. Later, I studied creativity and innovation in children through to adulthood for my Master’s degree, continuing my academic focus into relationship counselling and autism. I have worked in residence with young people, with Relate and in own private practice. Most of my work is with people dealing with trauma, life changes and relationship issues, plus with a strong interest in helping those who are themselves autistic or a partner of an autistic/neurodivergent person.

I have extensive academic training in various therapeutic modalities and tailor my approach to each individual. Through my experience with a vast array of individuals I have developed the ethos with one important lesson among many, as the psychoanalyst Harry Stack Sullivan said, “We are all more human than otherwise.”

Self-awareness

Many people struggle with motivation and question their life’s purpose. We will have great discoveries and discussions about social and emotional intelligence. I encourage and welcome self-reflection to find out why you do what you do and how to redirect that driving force to achieve the result that you want.

Better relationships

We spend all our lives trying to learn how to be ourselves and be connected. Often it feels like the two work against each other. Almost everyone in counselling is working on relationship issues of one kind or another — whether it be with themselves, with partners, family members, friends or colleagues.

Anxiety & Depression

People have as many things to say about anxiety and depression as they do about what you should eat and how you should exercise. While anxiety and depression are common experiences, the causes and solutions are also unique to each individual. For some, changes in environment and social justice action are important in resolution, for others the anxiety and depressive symptoms reveal physiological issues such as illnesses and hormonal imbalances, and for others, they present an opening to exploration of relational and societal dynamics. I listen to your experience and work with you to find the next steps forward.

Autism & Neurodiversity

I am here to support and advocate for autistic and other neurodivergent people. I honour my clients as the experts on their minds and bodies. I will listen to what you or your partner needs and make adjustments in my virtual office and communication to support everyone in feeling comfortable. Common issues that my neurodivergent clients bring to therapy include emotional burnout, sensory overwhelm, social anxiety, frustration with trying to accomplish goals, relationship struggles, family and work issues, gender identity and sexuality.

Workplace help

DWP offers a great scheme Access to Work, through which I might be able to act as your job coach to help you navigate relationships at your workplace. Also, to provide neurodiversity awareness training for your colleagues paid by DWP grant.