Andreea Achim

I offer online and face to face sessions. Flexible hours available depending on availability.  

Are you experiencing anxiety, stress or low mood? Have you experienced adverse experiences, trauma or loss? Perhaps you are finding certain tasks or situations particularly challenging? As a trauma informed Integrative Counsellor I draw on Humanistic, Psychodynamic and Cognitive theories to create an individualised approach that can best suit each of my clients and their needs, aims and challenges. By facilitating a safe, empathetic and non-judgemental space, I work with my clients on developing higher levels of self-awareness, knowledge and skills that can lead to increased mental and emotional health mastery and resiliency. I have got a range of experience such as working with people affected by sexual violence, abuse, neglect, bullying, post traumatic stress, complicated grief, burnout, secondary trauma and compassion fatigue, autistic burnout, OCD, anxiety and depression. 

Testimonials:

"I developed an understanding of who I am after losing someone important to me in a violent way, and this allowed me to heal from traumatic experiences and manage triggers on a daily occasion. Just a huge thank you to Andreea for welcoming me back to counselling sessions so easily (...) and always being a calm and friendly face to see! Would recommend for anyone facing personal and traumatic changes in their life." F, 23 

"I came to Andreea with unresolved childhood trauma which was impacting my life through unwanted thoughts and memories, difficulty reconciling my childhood experiences with my values as an adult and a parent, and was being held back by shame-based responses to everyday situations. As a result of therapy with Andreea I am no longer troubled by unwanted thoughts and memories. I understand my childhood experiences, their impact on my past life and how to integrate them successfully into my present and future life. I now recognise, mitigate and avoid shame responses such that I am far less held back by it." M, 45

I hold a Level 6 Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and have been in practice since 2018. My previous experience includes providing counselling to survivors of sexual abuse for Circles South East. I have also provided bereavement counselling for Ellenor hospice, as well as being an Anxiety UK counsellor.

In 2020 I have started my private practice "Happy Sisyphus Counselling" because I believe people affected by trauma and adverse experiences have the potential not only to survive, but to truly thrive. I offer a caring, confidential and non-judgemental space, using a tailored integrative approach, to support you examine the boulder of adversity and discover ways in which you may transform it from burden to strength.

Alongside my private practice, I am an Online Counsellor for Qwell (Kooth), offering text-based therapy to adults facing mental health difficulties and distress.

I am passionate about working with young people (16 +) and adults to address a series of concerns such as: anxiety, panic, post traumatic stress, depression, bereavement and loss, low self-esteem, identity, OCD, work/ exams related stress, burnout, childhood adverse experiences and disability.

My extensive and varied work since qualifying as a therapist has led to varied subsequent relevant training and experience and I have particularly developed my understanding of trauma and its impact on the nervous system and on mental health and wellbeing.  

In addition, I have got 12 years of teaching experience (UK QTS), having taught in primary, secondary and college settings, in mainstream, special educational needs and disability education (SEND) and special provision. 

I am also a qualified Interpreter and a Mental Health First Aider.

I offer a free 10 minutes phone consultation so that we can discuss the possibility of working together. In our first session together we will discuss the support you are looking for and how my way of working may fit your goals, so that together we can decided the best ways forward. 

I offer face to face and online sessions at flexible hours through the week.     

Are feelings of anxiety, stress and overwhelm impacting your mood? Have you experienced something difficult such as trauma or loss? You may be feeling stuck, unfulfilled and isolated. Over time these concerns can impact one's sense of self-worth and confidence as well relationships and overall wellbeing. 

With over 6 years experience as a trauma and loss counsellor, I create a tailored approach by which we can work together with your challenges in a way that promotes your resilience and helps you move forward in a direction that feels helpful and authentic to you. 

I am an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist (MBACP) and I own a private practice called 'Happy Sisyphus Counselling - growing through adversity'.  

I comply with the ICO Data Protection regulations. I own Professional Liability Insurance and I am committed to the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. 

Client Testimonials

"Before counselling I struggled with feelings of shame, guilt, embarrassment and defectiveness, and I had a little level of trust in others. Now I can identify my strengths, I understand my reactions better and I try to not judge them just to analyse them instead. I had increased positive views of myself and I developed the ability to seek support from the people who can help me when I need it. Andreea facilitated an environment that felt supportive and safe. I communicated easily with her using my own language. I found myself comfortable, heard and understood. She helped me to focus on appropriate and accurate reflections and allow me to emote." P. 0. 

"I was able to process and discuss issues without worrying how I was being perceived, or being judged. It allowed me to talk about things freely, without editing my own thoughts to deem them ‘appropriate’. It helped me prepare for a future where I would be reliant on myself, and it helped me look forward to this. Counselling helped me with accountability and self-reliance, which ultimately helped me deal with my grief. " H. S.

Trauma refers to any situation that feels overwhelming and may leave you feeling anxious, depressed and unable to trust people. This may be caused by sudden events (such as an accident, loss and bereavement or a violent attack) as well as ongoing, long-term causes (such as ongoing physical and/or emotional abuse and neglect).

At the same time trauma can be caused by unmet needs, such as childhood emotional neglect. 

Other factors that affect us in childhood, such as separation or divorce, a family member with mental illness, a family member addicted to drugs or alcohol, a family member who is in prison or witnessing a parent being abused have been shown to be linked with poorer heath and wellbeing outcomes. 

I strongly believe that people affected by trauma and adverse experiences have the ability not only to survive, but also to thrive. This is where trauma informed therapy can help. 

Every person is unique and there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to therapy. Therefore I draw on different modalities - mainly Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Cognitive and Existential - to tailor my approach to your individual needs. I am also informed by Attachment theory and Compassion Focused Therapy. Together we can explore and discover the most helpful ways in which you may feel empowered to achieve your goals. 

Where it feels relevant and appropriate, it can help to safely identify root causes of distress, so that with such insights, you can develop helpful strategies and skills, leading to long term relief and positive change. Please know that the therapeutic process is always informed by you and your goals and wishes - we go at a pace that feels helpful to you. 

Alongside my private practice, my work as a Counsellor for a range of counselling services, such as Anxiety UK, Mind, Ellenor and Kooth/ Qwell, has allowed me to expand my range of expertise and experience, while continually developing my practice and approach to offer best outcomes for my clients. 

I offer a free 10 minutes initial consultation which gives us a chance to consider the possibility of working together.