Larissa Sanchez-Pineda

Monday to Thursday & Saturday

I am an adult and child counsellor. I hold a BA (Hons) in Person-centred Counselling from The Metanoia Institute and a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Children at School awarded by the University of East London. I also hold postgraduate studies in Mental Health and Adolescence Development by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation.

I have worked as a counsellor with adults in different settings including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts;  as a grief counsellor for an NHS IAPT Bereavement Service; and in a charity supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

As a child counsellor, I have worked in primary and secondary schools across London, providing short and long term clinical interventions to children from the ages of 7 to 17. Through working in schools,  liaising with parents, teaching staff and other mental health professionals, and have gained deep insight into the relevance the environment plays in the children's mental health.

As a BACP registered member, I abide by the BACP 's Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions. I hold a full professional liability insurance. I am also registered with the Information Commissioners Office and process my clients' information in alignment with data protection regulation.

My therapeutic approach is client-led, that is, I regard my clients (of all ages), as the expert of themselves and I work towards providing a warm, accepting environment where my clients feel safe to tell their story. Building a relationship based on trust, empathy, acceptance and non-judgement, which are values at the heart of the person-centred approach, facilitates self-exploration.

My practice is also informed by child development theory, neuroscience, art and play therapy. This allows me to tailor my approach to meet the uniqueness of each and every one of my clients.

I am originally from Mexico City, having lived in the UK for 25 years. I work with children and adults of diverse cultural backgrounds, gender and sexual orientations.

I practice from two locations in North London for face to face counselling. I also offer sessions remotely (online and telephone), in English and in Spanish.

I offer time-limited and open-ended therapy that usually takes place once a week at an agreed time and day.

When you get in touch for the first time, we can have a 15-minute phone consultation where we briefly discuss your reasons to approach therapy, availability and fees. We can then arrange a 50-minute initial assessment. At the end of this session is when we decide whether to work together or not. If we go ahead, we then set up weekly sessions at a convenient time and day.  

For children of 16 years of age and under, the initial assessment is with their parents or carers.

I charge £80 for an initial assessment and further sessions.