Ioana Donciu

Starting therapy can feel like a big step, so I keep our work down-to-earth, supportive, and focused on what matters most to you.

I work integratively, which means I adapt our sessions to suit your individual personality and goals. At the heart of my practice is a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where you can speak openly and process your thoughts at your own pace.

A key part of how I work includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is a practical, structured approach that helps us explore how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are connected.

Together, we will:

Identify unhelpful patterns: Notice the automatic thoughts, self-doubt, or coping habits that might be keeping you feeling stuck, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Build practical tools: Develop realistic, manageable strategies to shift these patterns and handle daily challenges with more calm and confidence.

Explore root causes: Look beneath the surface to understand where these habits came from, helping you build lasting self-compassion and clarity.

Our sessions will be a collaborative partnership, I don’t view you as a set of symptoms to be fixed. You are the expert on your own life, and my role is to stand alongside you as a guide and sounding board. Whether we are using structured CBT tools to manage anxiety, or taking time to untangle complex relationships and life transitions, our sessions are always shaped around what feels right for you.

You don’t need to have all the answers before you reach out. We take things one step at a time, building a clearer, more grounded path forward together. 

Most of us spend a lot of energy trying to hold things together, look composed, or find the "right" way to feel. Therapy doesn’t need to be another place where you have to perform or follow a script. My practice offers a warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative space to drop the weight, unpack what’s feeling heavy, and figure out what’s actually going on beneath the surface, at your pace, with total curiosity and zero judgment.

I regularly help clients navigate:

Anxiety & Panic: Managing chronic worrying, health anxiety, panic attacks, and social anxiety.

 Low Mood: Breaking cycles of lethargy, isolation, and persistent negative thinking.

Perfectionism & Self-Criticism: Unpacking high-functioning burnout, low self-esteem, and imposter syndrome.

Intrusive Thoughts & Stress: Developing tools to detach from overwhelming mental loops.

Together, we will:

Identify unhelpful patterns: Notice automatic thoughts, self-doubt, or coping habits keeping you stuck.

Build practical tools: Develop realistic strategies to manage anxiety, stress, and daily challenges.

Explore root causes: Look beneath the surface to build lasting clarity and self-compassion.

What to Expect in Your First Session

It’s completely normal to feel nervous before starting. Our initial assessment is a pressure-free conversation to explore what brings you to therapy, cover practical details like confidentiality, and see how it feels to work together. You are free to share as much or as little as feels comfortable.

My current availability 

Monday

14:00–17:30

Tuesday

14:00–16:30

Wednesday

09:00-12:00 and 14:00–18:30

Thursday

10:30–18:30

Friday

08:00–11:00 and 13:30- 19:00

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

The First Step is Often the Hardest

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in old patterns, or simply disconnected from the person you want to be, I’m glad you’re here. My name is Ioana, and I specialise in helping individuals navigate their anxiety, trauma, life transitions, and other emotional struggles. I believe that therapy  can help you regain control over the choices that shaped your life, and build a lifestyle  that feels authentic to you.

As a counsellor, I work with clients experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, parenthood, childhood, loss, the need to manage harmful emotions and behaviours, or difficulties with coping with traumatic experience and events, or relationship difficulties that are affecting their ability to manage life.

Life doesn't always fit into a neat box, and neither should your therapy. That's why as an Integrative Counsellor my goal is to provide a supportive, confidential space where you can explore your experiences without judgment. I will be helping you move from a place of "just getting by" to a life of genuine fulfillment.

Being an integrative counsellor means I don't rely on just one school of thought. I believe that every individual is unique, so I draw from different psychological theories to tailor our sessions to your specific needs. Rather than forcing you to fit a specific model, I adapt my methods to fit you.

How We Will Work Together

I view therapy as a collaborative partnership. I am not here to tell you what to do, I am here to help you uncover your own inner resources. In our sessions, we will look at the "big picture", your thoughts, your emotions, your physical sensations, and your history to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Whether you are navigating a specific crisis or seeking long-term personal growth, I offer a grounded, warm, and professional presence to help you navigate the complexities of being human.

Depending on your goals, our work may involve:

Person-Centered Therapy: Placing your lived experience and our therapeutic relationship at the heart of the work, and ensuring you are heard and validated in a safe environment.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT): Identifying the thought patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of anxiety or self-doubt, and offering practical tools to manage intrusive thoughts and change behaviors.

Psychodynamic Insights: Exploring how your past experiences and early relationships might be shaping your current patterns.

Mindfulness & Somatic Tools: Helping you ground yourself and regulate your nervous system, by learning to listen to what your body is telling you about your stress and boundaries.

How We Work Together

Therapy with me is a collaborative partnership. I bring my professional training and clinical intuition; you bring the expertise in your own life. I am an active, engaged therapist, I won't just sit in silence. I will listen deeply, challenge you gently when needed, and offer practical tools you can use outside the therapy room.

My goal is to help you build a "toolbox" that serves you long after our sessions have ended. Whether you are navigating a specific crisis or seeking a deeper understanding of your identity, I am here to walk that path alongside you.

Talking therapy will offer you the safe space to be listened to, understood, heard and it will help you find ways to deal with emotions and feelings such as guilt, anger, pride, anxiety, fear, shame, confusion and grief. I am committed to offer you the support needed in developing achievable plans for the future, and creating coping strategies in order to bring about effective change and/or enhance your well-being.

I am committed to listen without judgement, be empathetic, encourage and support to empower you by setting clear boundaries and be professional by respecting the right to be shown respect, dignity and consideration. 

Finding the Right Fit

The first initial session is primarily an opportunity for us to get to know one another. Research shows that the "therapeutic alliance" in the relationship between therapist and client, is the biggest predictor of success. This initial meeting allows you to see how I work and decide if you feel comfortable and heard in my presence.

What to Expect

During this first meeting, we will move at a pace that feels safe for you. While I don’t believe in a rigid "checklist," I do conduct a gentle initial assessment. This involves:

Exploring what has brought you to therapy at this specific time.

Discussing your history and any patterns you’ve noticed in your life.

Identifying what you hope to achieve, whether that’s a specific goal or a general sense of well-being.

Addressing any questions or concerns you have about the therapeutic process.

I believe in transparency from the start so you can make an informed decision about your care:

Introductory Consultation: I offer a free 30 minute phone or video consultation to answer initial questions.

No Obligation

There is no pressure to commit to long-term work during our first meeting. If, after our session, you feel that I am not the right match for you, I am more than happy to provide recommendations for other practitioners who might better suit your needs.