Aneta Contractor
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This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I have an abundance of international experience, and I specialise in treating a wide range of mental health issues, relationship challenges and life transitions.
How my multicultural experience shaped me as a therapist
My multicultural experience has been built by living and working in 7 countries across 3 continents. Helping clients from many different cultures, race and backgrounds has provided me with an opportunity for deep self-reflection with regard to my own assumptions, prejudices and biases. I now have a sense of multiple belonging, and have gained a unique set of skills that helps me see the world through the eyes of a diverse range of clients.
Regardless of the psychological issues and relational challenges that a client brings to the counselling room, there are some powerful factors that have a direct impact on a client’s therapeutic experience, such as race, ethnicity, culture, religion and socioeconomic factors. Being a culturally sensitive therapist helps me establish a strong therapeutic alliance, where my clients feel accepted, respected and understood, which is a prerequisite for successful therapy.
My specific areas of expertise include:
- couples and marriage therapy;
- stress & anxiety;
- depression;
- cross–cultural relationships;
- issues related to sense of belonging;
- helping expats adapt, and other life changes and transitions;
- trauma;
- grief and bereavement;
- work related issues.
Therapeutic approaches
My therapy practice is informed by Psychodynamic and Systemic psychotherapy. Although I am very passionate about these approaches, I also use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as each client has different issues that need addressing in a bespoke manner.
The Psychodynamic approach is excellent for deep psychological exploration and addressing unconscious mental processes, for consciousness raising and self-reevaluation.
The Systemic approach is useful for exploring clients patterns of interaction and their relational world, and making them aware of the effect of their behaviour.
CBT is a more structured approach, with the focus on identifying core beliefs that underlie dysfunctional thoughts. Helping clients identify, evaluate and modify those thoughts can produce symptom relief.
ACT is about supporting clients to take values-guided actions. It also teaches them to make room for difficult feelings and thoughts while they move towards what is important to them.
If I am not able to help you, I will let you know and I might be able to suggest other types of counselling.
Training, qualifications & experience
I was initially a IT and Maths professor. Although I enjoyed teaching as a profession, my true passion was for psychology and psychotherapy, so I eventually decided to study the subject closest to my heart. I did this in the UK by completing an Honours degree in Psychology and subsequently my Masters. This life experience of having the courage to change my career, helps me when working with clients who have been made redundant, who are considering a career change, as well as those experiencing midlife crises. I have practised in the UK; Austria, Belgium, Macedonia, the Philippines and New Zealand.
Memberships:
- MBPsS with the BPS (British Psychological Society);
- Accredited member (MBACP (Accred)) with the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy); and
- Full Member MNZAC Registered with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Member organisations
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Fees
£70.00 - £90.00
Additional information
I offer short (including single session), medium term and long term therapy.
- £70 per 50 mins – individual adult counselling.
- £90 per 60 mins - couples counselling.
When I work
APPOINTMENTS OUTSIDE OF NORMAL WORKING HOURS AVAILABLE
