About Natalia and how I work
About Me
Hello,
My background is in counselling young people and adults with additional needs, such as ASD, ADHD and learning disabilities, who experienced bereavement, childhood and developmental traumas and sexual abuse.
I initially trained in humanistic counselling, and then completed a master’s in integrative counselling. I have previously worked as a wellbeing and emotional support worker in a special education school where I managed the emotional drop-in service for children and young people who struggled dealing with their anxiety, anger and hyperactive behaviour. Here I helped the children to develop emotional regulation strategies, often by utilising creative techniques, calling on a background in art.
I also teach both integrative and humanistic counselling at a university and local college.
My approach
My approach to therapy includes talking therapy combined with more expressive art methods. More specifically, I integrate drawing, mindfulness, creative writing, improvisation and play in my work with both adults and children.
By engaging in these artistic methods in counselling, clients have the potential to enhance their affect regulation and build a stronger sense of safety. I also believe that these creative methods help both children and adults identify their bodies’ responses to distress, transform trauma stories into resilient narratives, and relearn how to experience pleasure and aliveness once again.
I have observed throughout years of working that expressive art approaches are powerful means of communication that capture not only the brain’s explicit imprint of traumatic experience and stress that is caused by it, but also the body’s implicit experience that does not translate easily through words alone.
My rates
Integrative Therapeutic Counselling
Initial session, in person or online:
Up to 75 mins | £25
In person or online:
50 mins | £50
“The ultimate lesson is learning how to be loved and loving unconditionally”
— Elisabeth Kubler Ross