Maria Rakhmanova

I currently have some availability on Wednesday afternoons/evenings  

Perhaps you are anxious or depressed, lost in well-known but flawed patterns of relationships and behaviours, or feel overwhelmed from a recent event. I'm a psychoanalytically oriented psychodynamic psychotherapist. I offer an empathetic, consistent and confidential space where difficult and unprocessed feelings and thoughts can be explored and put to rest. My approach provides an opportunity to spontaneously express whatever might be on your mind. Working collaboratively and at your own pace, we can explore unconscious forces that might be impacting your feelings, thoughts, behaviours and relationships, so you feel lighter and freer in your daily life. My approach is probably more suited to those looking to understand themselves and others on a deeper level. The process might be gradual but the change is profound and more permanent. 

 I hold an MSc (Distinction) in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of London. My work experience includes various public and community-based services across London. I currently work privately from Pimlico, Westminster and at Wimbledon Guild charity operating in partnership with the NHS.  I have extensive experience working with people from a variety of backgrounds with a wide range of emotional challenges. I welcome clients from all diverse communities.

Instead of providing advice and opinion, my approach primarily focuses on the relationship that emerges between us and how it might be relevant to your other past and present relationships. Change becomes possible as you learn from experiences and not just from a rational understanding of where your problems might be coming from. This includes observing repetitive patterns, spontaneous associations and dreams, whilst also considering the potential impact of external psycho-social and cultural factors. 

Before we start, I offer a free 10-15 minute phone/zoom call as an opportunity for you to tell me a little bit about your concerns and for me to briefly explain how I work.  Afterwards we will schedule a consultation to ensure that I am the right therapist for you. I consider our first two meetings as consultation sessions. This helps to establish the nature of your concerns in greater depth and discern whether what I can offer is suitable to your needs. It’s a two-way process and provides you with an experience of how I work and what both of us can expect from each other. If I am not the right person, I will connect you with someone who can help.

Once we agree on our regular sessions, I will keep that time slot only for you. We will meet once a week at the same time for 50-minute therapy sessions.