Irina Counselling
LLM DipHIC MBACP
Thoughtful counselling for people navigating anxiety, stress, burnout or relational challenges. Meaningful change comes not from working harder on yourself, but from understanding yourself more deeply.
A space for you to pause, make sense of what feels overwhelming, reconnect with what truly matters to you and move toward lasting well-being.
I work with professionals to rediscover clarity, purpose and healthier relationships, so they can return to a life that feels true to them. I support professionals experiencing burnout and overwhelm -including those who carry significant responsibility for others, often with little space left for themselves -
as well as those navigating anxiety, stress, overwhelm, low self-worth, fragile sense of self, relationship difficulties, identity or a sense of disconnection. I often work with professionals who appear to be coping on the outside, but feel overwhelmed or depleted underneath
I also work with relational rupture - betrayal, disconnection, and the deeper questions these experiences can raise around trust, desire, and how you relate to yourself and others.
.
In a world that often feels driven by screens and algorithms, real healing still happens between two humans, through emotional presence and authentic connection. This isn’t about being matched by an algorithm, but about choosing a real, attuned therapeutic relationship.
I offer a free 30 minute online intro session to discuss the prospect of working together
BOOK YOUR FREE INITIAL CONVERSATION
I aim to respond within 24 hours.
I provide in person counselling in central Bristol (Queen Square and Redcliffe) as well as online therapy for adults experiencing anxiety, burnout, stress, relationship difficulties.
£60 per 50 min session
“I’ve had therapy before, but something about this felt different. I felt genuinely understood, not just listened to. Over time, something shifted. I relate to myself and others in a way I didn’t think was possible.” (Client testimonial)
I get it - searching for a therapist can feel like wandering through fog. It takes courage to even start. And since you’re already here, you’ve made it further than you think.
Beyond 'therapy speak' and quick psychological explanations, my work focuses on something deeper: staying with your experience, especially where it feels difficult, so understanding can emerge in a way that feels truly your own. Therapy is rooted in genuine empathy, connection and relational depth, offering a trusted, attuned presence that supports meaningful change in deeply personal ways. Lasting change comes not only from insight or techniques, but through a steady, attuned therapeutic relationship that offers emotional support and co-regulation.
I know firsthand the difference it makes to have a therapist by your side - shaped not only by my training, but by my own three years in therapy. It showed me what it means to be met with a thoughtful, attuned presence that steadies, gently challenges, and helps make sense of your inner world. I know it takes courage to show up vulnerably, yet there is something quietly transformative about being truly seen and accepted. If you feel that the support offered by a friend or family member is too much for them, or not enough for you, counselling provides a safe space where you can access an understanding than runs deeper than words.
At the heart of my practice is the understanding that therapy is more than conversation, it is a process of discovery and meaningful change. This work unfolds within a safe, trusting relationship that allows for honesty, curiosity, and growth. Research shows that the strength of this therapeutic relationship is one of the most important factors in lasting change. As Esther Perel suggests, the quality of our relationships shapes the quality of our lives and therapy offers a space where that can be explored and transformed.
"Counselling with you allowed me to explore areas of myself I wouldn’t have been able to on my own as you asked questions and made connections I couldn’t see from where I was standing. It really was an invaluable experience and the things I learnt will stay with me forever."
(Client testimonial)
“Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” (Paulo Coelho)
Who this is for
You might recognise yourself here, especially if you:
-
feel overwhelmed or burnt out
-
function on the outside, but feeling exhausted underneath
-
struggling in relationships or feeling disconnected
-
you hold things together for others, often at the cost of yourself
-
having a sense that you’ve lost connection with yourself, or aren’t quite living in a way that feels true
-
finding it hard to set boundaries or say no without guilt
-
feeling anxious, on edge, or unable to fully relax
-
experiencing low mood, heaviness, or a lack of motivation
-
feeling emotionally numb, disconnected, or shut down
-
carrying self-doubt, self-criticism, or a persistent sense of not being “enough”
-
struggling with identity, direction, or a sense of meaning
-
feeling lonely, even when you’re not alone
-
going through a life transition, loss, or change that feels hard to process
-
getting caught in the same patterns
Others might not realise how much you’re carrying. You may not have a clear explanation for it. You might just know that something feels off or that things could be different, even if you don’t yet know how.
That’s enough to begin and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Change doesn’t usually come from advice, it comes from experiencing yourself differently. I see therapy as a process of evolving, not simply changing. It is about gently uncovering new ways of being, while honouring the wisdom of what you’ve already survived.
WHAT CAN SHIFT
Over time, this work helps you:
-
feel less overwhelmed and more able to pause before reacting
-
understand your emotions, rather than feeling controlled by them
-
have a softer, less critical relationship with yourself
-
get more clarity around boundaries and the confidence to express them
-
feel more grounded, present, and connected to yourself
-
notice changes in how you relate to others
-
recognise patterns and begin to respond differently
-
have a greater sense of direction, meaning, or alignment with your values
-
be able to better tolerate difficult feelings
-
feel seen and less alone with your experience
-
feel more like yourself again
About counselling
You might be wondering what counselling would actually be like.
I’m a qualified Humanistic Integrative therapist, working in a way that is relational, thoughtful, and tailored to each person. I offer counselling in Bristol and online, creating a space where you can begin to slow things down- enough to notice, explore, and make sense of what’s actually going on for you.
Counselling isn’t about being given advice or finding quick answers. It’s a space where you can begin to understand your experience more fully, at your own pace.
Often, what feels overwhelming, confusing, or stuck doesn’t shift just by thinking it through. It starts to change when it can be experienced, spoken about, and understood in a way that feels safe, attentive, and real.
In our work together, we might:
-
stay with what feels important, rather than moving past it too quickly
-
explore patterns that keep repeating, even when you try to change them
-
notice what happens in the moment ( in thoughts, feelings, and between us)
-
make space for parts of your experience that are usually pushed aside or hard to put into words
This is a collaborative process, creating space for us to be curious together about your experience, so that understanding can emerge in a way that feels right for you. Over time, this can lead to a different relationship with yourself, one that feels less driven by pressure or self-criticism, and more grounded, aware, and flexible. Change doesn’t usually happen all at once but it can begin to emerge in ways that feel real and lasting.
Working together, we create a space where you don’t have to present yourself in a particular way, and where your experience can be explored at your own pace.
Healing takes time, but you don’t have to walk that path alone.
If you’re curious about whether this kind of counselling could be helpful for you, we can begin with a free introductory conversation.
Working together
My work focuses on understanding the deeper emotional and relational patterns that shape how you experience yourself and others.
I have secured my counselling diploma from the Bath Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy- level 6 equivalent, which has a dual accreditation with BACP and UKCP- the leading professional organisations supporting counsellors in the UK. You can expect a safe, ethical and consistent space with me.
I am a recognised healthcare provider for WPA, a leading healthcare insurer.
I hold a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy certificate from the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation, and I also have a background in law, with both an undergraduate law degree and a Master of Laws (LL.M).
I’m always curious about approaches that offer new ways of understanding our experiences. Some of the professional development that has shaped my practice includes engaging with Esther Perel’s work on intimacy and infidelity in couples, exploring the complexities of Chemsex, and completing a training that integrated Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for working with anxiety. I’m also developing my skills with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an evidence-based psychological approach used within NHS services and recognised by the World Health Organisation.
I've also worked within NHS settings, which has given me an understanding of the demands and pressures of caring for others. I’m particularly aware of how this can lead to burnout, and the impact it has on your own wellbeing and relationships.
With a background in law and formal training as a counsellor, I bring a unique blend of analytical skills and emotional intelligence to my practice.
Beyond the therapy room, I’m drawn to travelling and spending time in nature - places that give me space to breathe and reconnect. I have a deep appreciation for photography and for living in a more intentional way.
Having lived in three different countries and changed career paths, I draw on these experiences of transition and adaptation in how I understand identity, belonging, and the different life experiences that shape us.
Getting started
I currently have availability for new clients and offer a quiet, supportive space for those seeking clarity or change
Feel free to reach out by completing the contact form below if you have any questions or would like to arrange an initial free appointment.
In our initial online session, we’ll discuss what brings you to therapy, what you hope to explore, and your goals for the therapeutic process. If we both feel that we’re a good fit, we can then agree on a regular weekly time to meet.
"Counselling with Irina has been such a positive experience and has supported my growth in the last year. It allowed me to take back control and I believe it allowed me to also take a step back and think about what I wanted to achieve in my life."
"The whole experience has helped me improve many of the most important relationships in my life, boosted my self-esteem, and provided me with tools to manage how I react to changes in circumstances, something I’ve always struggled with.”
“I want to give a massive thank you for providing the space, and your skill to guide me through this process. The hardest part for me was actually making that first booking, but once I did, the entire experience has been incredibly helpful and valuable. I've gained so much. I couldn't value the experience more."
Such an amazing experience doing therapy with you, thank you so much. I really understand myself better and think about it often, which helps me a lot."
"I came into therapy feeling overwhelmed and close to burnout, just knowing something wasn’t working anymore. Working with Irina gave me space to slow down and make sense of things in a way I couldn’t on my own. I feel more grounded, clearer about my limits, and more like myself again."