Irina Counselling
LLM DipHIC MBACP
Thoughtful counselling for people navigating anxiety, stress, burnout , or relational challenges.
You might be holding things together on the outside, while feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depleted or disconnected underneath.
Meaningful change comes not from working harder on yourself, but from understanding yourself in a way that begins to feel clearer, more manageable, and less overwhelming.
A space to slow down, be truly heard, and begin to understand what hasn’t yet made sense
You don’t have to have the right words or a clear starting point - just a sense that something isn’t quite right, or feels harder than it should.
I offer a free 30 minute online intro session - a chance to talk things through and see if this feels right for you- no pressure to continue
BOOK YOUR FREE INITIAL CONVERSATION
I aim to respond within 24 hours.
In person counselling in central Bristol (Queen Square and Redcliffe) and online
£60 per 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
Searching for a therapist can feel uncertain. It takes courage to begin, and by being here, you’ve already made it further than you might realise.
If support from others feels like not quite enough for you, or too much for others, this can be a space where things begin to feel clearer, more manageable, and less overwhelming.
I often work with professionals who may appear to be coping on the outside, but feel overwhelmed, depleted, or disconnected underneath. Many are carrying significant responsibility for others, with little space left for themselves. They may be navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, or a sense of lost direction, alongside difficulties in relationships or with self-worth.
I also support those experiencing relational rupture, such as betrayal, 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. With so much advice, self-help, and AI-generated answers, this is something different - a real human relationship where you are met, understood, and gently challenged in ways that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Beyond ‘therapy speak’ and quick explanations or techniques, this work goes at your pace. We slow things down and gently explore what’s happening for you, especially where things feel difficult or hard to put into words. My approach aims to integrate evidence-based thinking in a way that supports relational depth rather than replacing it.
Change doesn’t come from advice alone, but through experiencing yourself differently in a steady, supportive relationship where you can feel understood. Through this process, things can begin to feel clearer, more manageable, and less overwhelming, so that you can begin to feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to cope. You may begin to relate to yourself and others in a way that feels more secure and less draining. Over time, things don’t just make sense, they begin to feel different.
At the heart of this work is the understanding that therapy is more than conversation, it is a process of discovery and meaningful change. This unfolds within a safe, trusting relationship where you can begin to be more honest, curious, and open about your experience. The quality of our relationships shapes how we feel, how we cope, and how we come to know ourselves, often more than we realise.
"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:
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feel overwhelmed, anxious, or close to burnout
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are functioning on the outside, but feel exhausted or depleted underneath
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find it hard to switch off, relax, or feel fully present
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struggle in relationships or feel disconnected from others
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hold things together for others, often at the cost of yourself
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find it difficult to set boundaries or say no without guilt
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carry self-doubt or a persistent sense of not being “enough”
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feel stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand
You may also be navigating low mood, disconnection, life transitions, or a sense of lost direction. Others might not realise how much you’re carrying.
If even one of these resonates, this work may be helpful for you.
You don't have to be in crisis to begin.
WHAT CAN SHIFT
Over time, this work helps you:
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feel less overwhelmed and more able to pause before reacting
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understand your emotions, rather than feeling controlled by them
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have a softer, less critical relationship with yourself
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get more clarity around boundaries and the confidence to express them
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feel more grounded, present, and connected to yourself
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notice changes in how you relate to others
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recognise patterns and begin to respond differently
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have a greater sense of direction, meaning, or alignment with your values
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be able to better tolerate difficult feelings
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feel seen and less alone with your experience
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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, make sense of what’s actually going on for you and understand yourself more deeply.
Counselling isn’t about being told what to do or rushing to quick answers. 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, processed and understood in a way that feels safe, attentive, and real.
In our work together, we might:
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stay with what feels significant and meaningful, even when it’s uncomfortable or hard to name
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explore patterns that keep repeating, and what they might be trying to show you
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notice what’s happening in the moment - in your thoughts, your body, and in the space between us
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make room for the parts of you that are often pushed aside, silenced, or difficult to put into words
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begin to give shape to what has felt unspeakable
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.
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
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.
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."