Dr Irene Soldavini

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she/they
PhD, MBACP
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

London WC2H & Edinburgh EH3
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

My name is Irene. I am an individual and relationship counsellor. I specialise in pluralistic and philosophical counselling.

I believe each client is unique, and my practice focuses on creating a tailored counselling experience for each individual by creating a non-judgmental space for them to explore and become aware of their experiences and feelings. I position myself as "in" the therapy alongside my client. I try to let the client's pace and rhythm guide the therapy.

My areas of interest are:

  • Anxiety
  • Consensual non-monogamous relationships
  • Couple counselling
  • Death and non-related death losses
  • Diasporic issues
  • Displacement
  • Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD)
  • Grief
  • Hoarding
  • Identity
  • Isolation
  • LGTBQIA+
  • Loneliness
  • Losses
  • Politics
  • Polyamory
  • Unconventional lifestyles

I work in a collaborative style, and an integrative perspective rooted in humanistic-centred values. My expertise in existential counselling and compassionate focus therapy (CFT) allows me to use awareness and compassion to empower individuals. I have completed the foundation course in core process psychotherapy at the Karuna Institute. I am dedicated to providing an inclusive, supportive environment for clients to explore complexities. I am a registered BACP  (MBACP) counsellor,  and a member of the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy (IPT). I am a student member of UPCA and SEA.

I have a PhD in Anthropology. My academic and life experiences have allowed me to understand individuals' intrapersonal and interpersonal complexities, and I use this knowledge to help people.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications/achievements

  • BA Anthropology and Communication, Goldsmiths University of London
  • MA Anthropology of Media, SOAS University of London
  • PhD Anthropology, SOAS University of London
  • Diploma in Couple Counselling, Relationships Scotland
  • Foundation Course in Core Process Psychotherapy, Karuna Institute
  • MSc in Existential Psychotherapy, New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling Ongoing
  • Introduction to Compassionate Focus Therapy, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
  • Compassion Focus Therapy for Grief, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
  • Compassionate Focus Therapy for Hoarding, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
  • Compassionate Focus Therapy Conference, The Compassionate Mind Foundation

​Experience in counselling and psychotherapy:

  • Volunteer in a nurturing group for vulnerable children in a local primary school. The groups were led by a psychotherapist and based on group psychotherapy.
  • Volunteer counsellor at an LGBT Edinburgh-based counselling service.
  • Volunteer counsellor at Relationships Scotland Argyll and Glasgow.
  • Counsellor in private practice.
  • Trainee psychotherapist at an LGBT Edinburgh-based counselling service.
  • Trainee psychotherapist for a low counselling service based in London

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Fees

£95.00 - £140.00

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Individual counselling: GBP 95 per 50 minutes.

Couple counselling: GBP 140 per 50 minutes.

Trainee counsellors: GBP 60 per 50 minutes.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Further information

I am fluent in English and Italian.

Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH3

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples

Key details

PVG Scheme

In Scotland, criminal records checks are carried out by Disclosure Scotland. Professionals working with children or vulnerable adults must join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. You can learn more at mygov.scot , or contact this professional directly.

Additional languages

Italian

Online platforms

Zoom