Ralitsa Stancheva
Ralitsa is an Integrative counsellor, offering short and long-term counselling for children and young people aged 4-18 years, as well as for adults.
From Ralitsa:
I aim to offer a warm, genuine and supportive therapeutic relationship where the client can feel psychologically safe. My therapeutic approach is integrative, which means it allows me to be flexible to suit the client’s therapeutic needs, communication style and preferences. My work is informed by psychoanalytic and attachment theories, which look at how we experience relationships; by systemic theory, which takes the individual’s relational ecosystems into account when understanding their difficulties; and by a person-centred belief in the innate human potential for growth.
Counselling with me may take many forms - in my work with children, this may look like play or art making as well as talking; with young people – it may involve guidance, developing coping strategies or a deeper exploration of identity; with adult clients, it may be entirely based on talking, or it may also involve art-making or use of symbolic objects to facilitate emotional expression or insight. We all have inner strength, resources and creativity – it is my aim to support my clients in finding theirs.
I work in a collaborative and client-led way, with frequent check-ins to make sure the counselling work is of value and benefit to my client. It can also mean collaborating with parents and carers at review times, offering guidance and support to ensure continuity of therapeutic progress.
Some of the emotional difficulties I can provide support with are:
Mood and emotional regulation (e.g. feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness)
Bereavement and loss
Childhood trauma
Family challenges (e.g. conflict, family separation and divorce)
Friendship and relationship difficulties, bulling
Identity and sense of self (including low self-esteem, life transitions, managing change)
School-related challenges, exam pressure
Self-harm
I have several years of experience of supporting children and young people in both primary and secondary schools, and I am familiar with the pressures, worries and struggles they face in their lives. I have continued working as a counsellor in a secondary school in addition to my private practice.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), and I abide by their ethical practice guidelines. I also hold an enhanced DBS check, ensuring safe independent practice with children and young people on a 1-to-1 and group basis.
I offer a free 20 minute initial online/phone consultation for us to have an opportunity to talk about your needs and expectations and to see if we can work together.
If you think I may be of help to you, please contact me by email, or by clicking on the button below, to arrange a free initial consultation. I look forward to hearing from you!
Email: ralitsa.stancheva@gmail.com