Irena Pancer

I am currently working face-to-face in Central London (Fitzrovia) and Hackney, and online. I am available weekdays and have some evening availability.

Hi, I'm Irena! 

Seeking therapy, especially in moments of struggle, can feel overwhelming. Although I am a psychotherapist, I am also another person, one who has experienced life’s challenges and the pain of not knowing how to move ahead. I have spent years studying and examining how we make sense of suffering, choice and change and have come to firmly believe in the transformative power of the therapeutic process.

As your therapist, my intention is to create a space that feels open, safe, and deeply supportive, where we can, together, explore what is troubling you, restore your emotional balance, and begin to imagine new possibilities. This is a collaborative journey, one in which I actively work to empower you to find your own voice, clarity, and the best way forward.

Qualifications and Training

I trained (MA, PGDip) at Regent’s University, one of the leading institutions for psychotherapy training, known for its rigorous, thorough approach. I’ve worked in both private practice and charitable organisations, supporting individuals from diverse walks of life. Before training as a therapist, I worked in the creative arts and education, and I completed my BA (Hons) at Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Many of my clients have suffered abuse, neglect, devastating loss or mistreatment. I am particularly interested in how our adverse past experiences, both during our formative years and in adulthood, shape our present perceptions and condition our futures in ways we often do not realise. I work in depth to ensure our work brings those hidden perceptions and conditions to awareness, creating space for healing and transformation.

Central to my practice is the relationship we build. It is important that you feel comfortable with me, and that I become someone with whom you can open up and share your most troubling thoughts. Your willingness to be honest and to bring your whole self to therapy, including the parts you dislike or may feel ashamed of, will be a vital part of the work.

I have a deep interest in identity and belonging. Having lived in London for much of my life, alongside formative years in Europe and extended time in South America and Australia, I bring a genuine appreciation for diverse lived experiences. I work with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and am committed to creating a space that honours the full complexity of who you are.

As an integrative psychotherapist, I combine various therapeutic approaches to create the most effective way to work with your issues and distinct needs. Drawing primarily from existential, relational psychodynamic and trauma-informed theories, I uphold the humanistic values of regard and care.

In our work together, you are invited to confront life’s dilemmas not as pathology but as invitations to grow. Therapy is not just a space for reflection; it is about healing old wounds, breaking out of old patterns and creating a meaningful life. Together, we will work towards enabling powerful shifts that lead to a more fulfilling existence.  

I offer a virtual, 15-minute complimentary initial consultation. This would be an informal opportunity for us to meet and gauge whether we could work well together.

Over the years, clients have come to me with a wide range of concerns, including personal and professional crisis, stress, stuckness, difficulties in relationships, low self-worth, loneliness, co-dependency, crippling shame, anxiety, depression, bereavement, obsessive patterns and loss of joy and meaning. During the session, we can talk about what’s going on for you and what you expect from therapy.