Irina Florea

I am available Monday - Tuesday flexible hours, and Wednesday to Friday evening hours only. 

I am a fully qualified Therapeutic Integrative Counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP). I welcome each person with their unique experience and I offer a safe, warm and empathetic therapeutic environment where clients can explore their issues, work through their struggles and move towards personal growth and wellbeing.  

I work with people from diverse backgrounds and on a multitude of mental health issues and personal struggles. These can range from struggling with anxiety (including panic attacks) and/or depression (including low mood, feeling sad, suicidal thinking) to dealing with stress (in your professional and personal life), burnout, relationship and family problems, low self-esteem and low self-confidence.

I am trained in an integrative way, applying theory and practice from the Client-Centred Model (as developed by Carl Rogers) and integrating other humanistic therapies (Existential, Gestalt, Psychosynthesis) and Psychodynamic therapy. Furthermore, I have comprehensive knowledge and experience with Bereavement, Loss and Grief through the work I have been doing with the UK largest bereavement charity.

I completed the Bereavement Support Foundation Course (recognised by National Counselling Society), together with a Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling (recognised by the National Counselling Society and the Association for Counselling & Therapy Online). I am currently studying for a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.   

I offer counselling in three languages: English, Spanish and Romanian.

I value each person's autonomy and uniqueness. Whatever you choose to bring into our working relationship, I will respect and support you on the journey to a more content and peaceful state of mind.

My approach is non-directive which means that I will stand by your side, listen carefully in a non-judgemental way to your worries, thoughts and feelings. As a counsellor, I cannot give you advice or tell you what to do. My role is to help you interpret and understand your inner world and come to your own conclusions. As our counselling relationship grows on the foundation of mutual trust, I may sometimes gently challenge your behavioural and thinking patterns if I notice contradictory ideas that hold you back or block your development. Nevertheless, we will examine these together and you have my genuine support. I encourage self-acceptance, compassion to self and identifying your own resources to build self-esteem, resilience and confidence. 

As each client is unique, there is no set number of sessions that fits all. I offer open-ended therapy, which means we will tailor the frequency and number of sessions to your individual needs. However, we may start with 6-8 sessions and review your progress as we get nearer this set time. If you decide you want to continue, I recommend we have regular reviews and together decide what best supports your counselling journey and personal development. 

We will have an initial session to get to know each other and see how we can work together. It will give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have at this stage, and it will help me learn more about why you are looking for help, how I can support you and what you hope to get out of therapy.

The initial assessment session will last approximately 40 minutes and it is free of charge.

If you decide to continue, appointments are weekly and our regular counselling sessions will be 50 minutes long.