“Out of the past, into the present, towards the future”
(R. Assagioli)
Counselling and Psychotherapy
In life, we often encounter challenges characterised by pervasive anxiety and stress stemming from past relationships, workplace pressures, or generalised anxiety. You may find yourself feeling stagnant, perhaps resorting to autopilot mechanisms to navigate daily life. The resultant exhaustion can trigger feelings of self-doubt and diminished self-esteem.
There is value in approaching our challenges with humility and self-compassion while also acknowledging the significance of identifying our inherent strengths and resilience which we may have cultivated in order to cope.
As an integrative therapist, I recognise the profound impact of early childhood experiences on present-day life. Therefore, our therapeutic journey may encompass exploration of your past, present circumstances, and future aspirations to discern any unhelpful patterns or behaviours. I acknowledge the individual complexities and challenges we all carry throughout life and am adept at working with individuals who have navigated their unique paths. Employing a range of therapeutic modalities, I collaborate with you to uncover strategies that resonate most effectively. Regardless of our approach, your well-being, needs, and objectives remain my paramount focus. You can expect to be met with respect, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to your journey toward healing and growth.
Angelina Jalonen
Our First Session
Courage is required to embark on the journey of seeking support and understanding for the complex things that are going on in our lives. The decision to engage in counselling can indeed be a difficult one to make; sharing one’s innermost thoughts and personal history with a stranger may evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty. I commend your bravery in taking this step towards reclaiming your wellbeing.
In our initial session, there is no obligation to commit further. It serves as an opportunity for me to introduce myself and my therapeutic approach, while also understanding your expectations from our therapeutic relationship. Feel free to ask any questions or seek clarification during this time.
I am bound by the BACP ethical framework, in which confidentiality and maintaining professional boundaries are paramount for ensuring the safety and trust within our therapeutic alliance.
Once we’ve agreed to work together, we will establish a regular , we can then negotiate the regular time to meet and the price for each session. Each session will last for 50 minutes. Sessions cancelled with at least 24 hours’ notice incur no charge, and payment is required in advance of each session.
Sessions are offered both in-person and virtually, as negotiated in our contract.
About Me
With a rich background in the humanitarian sector spanning over two decades, I have dedicated myself to advocating for human rights and social justice. Throughout my career, I have provided compassionate support to asylum seekers and refugees, guiding them through the process of navigating past traumas and rebuilding their lives amidst overwhelming loss and separation from their loved ones. My profound interactions with individuals in this community sparked a lifelong passion for understanding the human journey towards self-actualisation. This journey has led me to pursue a path in psychotherapy and counselling, driven by a deep curiosity about the intricate complexities of the human experience.
A published author, seasoned therapist, and esteemed clinical supervisor, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our therapeutic journey. My leadership roles within diverse clinical settings, including specialised clinics addressing gender-based violence, underscore my commitment to fostering healing and empowerment within our communities. With heartfelt compassion and unwavering dedication, I am here to guide and support you on your path towards growth and resilience.
My primary expertise lies in Integrative psychotherapeutic counselling and therapeutic supervision. Building upon this foundation, I pursued a Master’s degree in Refugee care, focusing specifically on complex trauma and psychosocial approaches. Throughout my career, I’ve had the honour of assisting diverse clients, including those who have endured gender-based violence, adverse childhood experiences, and workplace-related challenges.
As a registered member of the BACP, I strictly adhere to their ethical framework, placing the safety and well-being of my clients at the forefront of my practice. Employing a relational approach within a trauma-informed framework, I am dedicated to fostering a supportive and secure environment for our therapeutic journey. Continuously striving for professional growth and excellence, I engage in regular supervision, ongoing CPD training, and personal therapy. These practices not only ensure the safety and effectiveness of my work but also serve to enhance the quality of our therapeutic relationship and the delivery of my services.
My Approach
It can be a daunting process trying to find a therapist who might meet your needs. I would like to share a bit about how I work and what you can expect from our sessions.
I am inspired by human capacity to flourish given a suitable environment. I am driven by curiosity and interested in supporting people to reach their potential. My work is relational hence we will begin with an initial meeting where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and also learn more about the way I work. We will also assess how our work might be suitable for you at this time to achieve your desired goals or aspirations. We will also negotiate a therapeutic contract including confidentiality and suitable time for our regular sessions.
My approach is rooted in Integrative therapeutic model, I am also cultural sensitive and mindful of how our backgrounds inform our perspectives about ourselves, others and the world. Drawing from different modalities we can identify what interventions are suitable for the client’s treatment plan. These modalities may include Person centred giving the importance of the here and now, Integrative where we will both explore to understand how our past experiences might impact and manifest in our current patterns of relating, Psychodynamic to address any unconscious bias. We may also use CBT skills to help us hold into awareness our desired goals and aspirations to keep us structured towards autonomy, I also embrace Narrative therapy in bearing witness to your experiences. Embodying all this, we will work within a mindfulness and self-compassion framework to help us be connected and informed by our body and mind sensations to enhance our self-regulation.
Having said this, my work is guided by the client who I believe is the expert on their life and it’s my role to understand their experience from their point of reference. I am committed to creating a non-judgmental, nurturing and confidential environment that allows you to feel safe and gently challenged. It is on the basis of building a therapeutic alliance to enable self-acceptance, authenticity and self-development.
My role is therefore to be your companion on your journey as you strife to clarify those aspects of your life that cause distress, anxiety or anger and that can lead to you feeling mentally stuck, lack of motivation, unfulfilled and helplessness. It is through exploration and clarification that we can gain insight of what is going on for us and identify what we need to live a healthier and fulfilling life.