top of page

 

Counselling & Psychotherapy

​

​

Whether you are new to counselling and psychotherapy or returning, you are welcome here. I often tell my clients, "Get as comfortable as you can be right now," and I genuinely mean it.

 

Your privacy and comfort are my top priorities. My therapy sessions provide a safe space where you can lay down whatever is troubling you so you can begin to feel like yourself again.

​

You're welcome, just as you are

​

Whether you're experiencing a major life crisis, low self-esteem, relationship issues, a career transition, a loss of meaning, or simply a sense that there is more to life than you've known, you are welcome here. There is no pressure to perform, no one to please, and nothing to prove. You can share yourself openly and honestly.

​

I understand that allowing oneself to be vulnerable can be nerve-wracking but also opens up the possibility of healing. I respect the courage it takes to seek help, and I assure you that my approach is always empathetic and client-centred. Your voice and experiences are at the heart of our journey, ensuring you feel heard and valued.

 

My Approach

​

​

We will take the time to safely explore your feelings and make sense of your struggles in a way that allows you to build inner security, regain trust in yourself, and establish clarity in moving forward. 

​

We will help you identify your needs, learn to communicate assertively, and begin setting healthy boundaries. This will make you feel hopeful and empowered and build a sustainable attitude towards well-being and harmony in your inner and outer life.

 

I deeply believe in humans' capacity to become all we can be and view our difficulties as opportunities to become more conscious of our choices. Often, as we undergo intense changes, there are opportunities to find deeper meaning and purpose in our lives and unlock aspects of ourselves that can support us in overcoming our challenges. Witnessing my clients' growth and resilience is incredibly rewarding.

​

I am trained in a psychospiritual approach called psychosynthesis. You can read more about psychosynthesis here.

About
Contact

 

Who I tend to work with

​

​

  • I work with kind, caring, and ambitious individuals who struggle with anxiety, over-giving, perfectionism, and burnout.

  • I support those who are undergoing heartbreak, rejection, or loss, wish to rebuild their self-esteem after disturbing experiences or transform unhealthy codependent dynamics in relationships

  • I work with those who feel lost or lack purpose in life or career and want to reorient towards something more meaningful yet don't know where to begin.

  • I love supporting creatives in overcoming creative blocks/inhibitions or simply wishing to explore their creative side more fully

  • I support highly sensitive people to cultivate emotional resilience in the face of overwhelm or difficulty setting boundaries

​

These are non-exhaustive areas of my work. Please check out my other areas of interest below and get in touch to see if I can work with your issue by filling in the form below.

​

It would mean a lot to me to support you in navigating these challenges. I've walked a similar path, feeling lost and confused, fearing what may lie beyond my familiar patterns. And I've experienced the transformative power of tailored support when it matters the most.

​

​


Areas of Interest

  • Anxiety

  • Anxious Attachment

  • Burnout

  • Childhood trauma

  • Codependency

  • Coping Skills

  • Communication Skills

  • Creativity

  • Depression

  • Emotional Disturbance

  • Family Issues

  • Feeling Sad

  • High Sensitivity

  • Identity/Mid-life Crisis

  • Life Transition

  • Loneliness

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Low Self-Confidence

  • Narcissistic Abuse

  • Open Relationships/Non-monogamy

  • Perfectionism

  • People-pleasing

  • Relationship Issues

  • Redundancy

  • Self-Criticism

  • Separation and Divorce

  • Separation Anxiety

  • Social Anxiety

  • Spirituality

  • Women's Issues

  • Work-related Stress

​

How I work

​

Nobody can honestly know their worth until it has been reflected to them in the mirror of another caring, loving human. This belief guides my practice, ensuring that you feel held and understood.

​

I work non-directively, so I do not take charge of my sessions. Instead, I invite you to bring what matters to you at any given time, and we take it from there.

​

By being present with whatever you may bring, I intend to foster an environment of collaboration, open dialogue and self-responsibility. I will empower you to implement realistic solutions, stay accountable for the changes you wish to make and work at a pace that feels appropriate to your needs. 

Get in Touch

​

​

I offer online (via Zoom) and face-to-face sessions in Nunhead, Peckham and Shoreditch.

​

Please read my FAQ and get in touch with any questions you might still have. You can also tell me a little about what's prompting you to seek support at this time - share as much or as little as you're comfortable with. I'll email you my availability for a 20-minute introductory call to explore how we can work together. 

 

Thank you for considering this step towards positive change. I am here to support you and would be honoured to be part of your journey.

​

Warm Regards,

Bristena Mantu

Tell me a little bit about you..

What makes a good therapy?
 

​

I've been recently asked what makes good therapy, so here are my thoughts:

"Good therapy is when I, the client, feel completely understood, seen, heard, and respected by my therapist. Building trust in this way means I can let go of needing to 'get it right' and allow myself to be seen in my vulnerabilities. This way, I can understand, see, hear, and respect myself in new ways, and these are the fundamental ingredients for any meaningful change to occur. 

Good therapy is when the therapist takes their time to truly hear my story and refrains from making assumptions about what should or shouldn't be important to me. My therapist helps me discover what brings me meaning, value and purpose, and that differs from person to person.

Good therapy empowers me to take new risks, knowing someone's got my back regardless of the outcome of my actions. My therapist is not here to judge my choices but to "hold my hand" and walk alongside me, being sensitively attuned to my needs along the way."

How I can help

​

I can help you access your inner resources and engage your will to enact the change you seek through active listening, guided reflections, imaginative exercises, and inner parts work.

​

I can also help you gently resolve the root causes of your childhood traumas. This will enable you to reclaim a sense of personal agency and responsibility over your life in areas where you feel like the child in you is in control, as opposed to the adult you are.

​

In sessions, I seek to include and work with your capacity for creativity, imagination, and intuition, which are often easily neglected in today's obsession with materialism, logic, and facts.

kelly-sikkema-4le7k9XVYjE-unsplash.jpg

Intake Form

  • You fill in the intake form below. It will take me 1-2 working days to reply.
     

  • If I am suited to work with your issues, I will email you with my availability, and we will arrange your free intro call.
     

  • Otherwise, I will suggest alternative courses of action or therapist options for you to consider. 

Free Intro Call

  • This 20 min call will give you a sense of who I am and help you decide whether you feel comfortable talking to me.
     

  • You can tell me more about your issue, but this is not a full exploration yet.
     

  • The intro call can be done via phone or video call. You can ask as many questions as you need.

Initial Session

  • Your first 90' session is an in-depth exploration of your issue. You will also have an experience of my style of working and get more of a feel for our therapeutic compatibility.
     

  • If you have any questions about my contract, you will have them clarified too.
     

  • By the following week, I kindly ask you to decide whether you wish to commit to working together. 

Working together

  • Once our working agreement is set, we can start working towards your goals. 
     

  • Along the way, I will offer regular reviews so you can reflect upon your progress and check in with your different needs.
     

  • Once you're ready to end counselling, I require a 3-4 week's notice to allow plenty of time to honour the wonderful work we will hopefully have done.

received_1493729551138765.jpeg
Institute-of-Psychosynthesis.jpg
bottom of page