Irina Florea

Therapy for adults of all ages with a focus on strengthening self-confidence and self-esteem, developing healthy and positive habits and behaviours, while addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, burnout, surviving abuse, addictive behaviours, self-harm, relationship and family issues, loss and grief.

I am a qualified counsellor with a Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP - Registered Member).

I offer online (via video calls) and in person weekly sessions at my private practice based in Frome, Somerset.

Every Tuesday, I offer in-person weekly sessions in Bristol. I work in 2 areas: Redcliffe and Montpelier. 

Please contact me to discuss available slots. 

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Depending on circumstances, I also offer telephone sessions. 

I offer a safe therapeutic space for LGBTQ+ people and aim to support inclusion and diversity around gender, biological sex diversity and sexuality.

If you found your way to my page, you may be going through a difficult time in your life.

You may be experiencing one or several of the following:

• Feeling overwhelmed, always tired but in a rush towards the next thing to do
• Emotional or mental exhaustion as a result of the restlessness
• Frantic, anxious and easily irritable
• You have frequent outbursts which you later regret
• A sense that it's never enough, that you aren't doing enough
• Snappy, short-fused that leads to difficulties in relationships with others (partner, children, parents, friends, work)
• Trouble sleeping or resting as your mind is constantly busy (aka "monkey mind")
• Aware of your self-sabotaging behaviour, but can't find a way to stop
• You worry a lot about what others think of you, find yourself ruminating over past events or conversations and, as a result of this, you've noticed you don't know how to say "no" and have become a "people-pleaser"
• You see yourself as a "high achiever" and constantly put considerable effort in everything you do which also leads to stress and burnout
• You struggle with the imposter syndrome and all its pitfalls: procrastination, fear of making mistakes, feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and self-doubt
• Find it hard to relax, have fun, let go of the never-ending to-do list or stop the worry-mill

If any of the above sound familiar and are interfering with your daily life, therapy can help. You can start today. Book a free online session with me and let's talk about how we can work together in therapy.

What to expect from working with me:

• 1:1 sessions in a safe, confidential space
• Short-term counselling or long-term psychotherapy depending on your needs and objectives
• A professional, but human and friendly approach to our therapy sessions
• Focus on understanding and uncovering who you truly are, where you come from and how that shaped you and your relationships (exploration of childhood experiences, inner child work and attachment style)
• Use of easy-to-understand psychological structures and theory to deepen your understanding of yourself (for example Parent - Adult - Child framework) - also known as psychoeducation
• Clear and accessible digital resources (through a secure platform in the form of My Mental Health Toolbox) that will support our work
• Tools and techniques so you can develop healthier and more effective coping mechanisms for dealing with stress, difficult emotions, and challenging situations
• Trauma informed approach to any experiences that may have deeply impacted you in the past or more recently with an emphasis on holding a safe space for you to process unresolved issues, feelings and memories
• A therapeutic process adapted specifically to your needs and expectations which includes regular reviews (every 6 sessions) of our goals and working therapeutic relationship
• We work open-ended so that you have all the space and time you need to move towards the change you’re aiming for. Nevertheless, most of my clients have achieved their desired outcomes and meaningful change in 4-6 months of weekly sessions

Therapy can help uncover the authentic, compassionate and confident you. 

• Feel more like yourself and live free from the weight of self-doubt
• Develop a more positive self-image, recognizing your strengths and accepting your weaknesses
• Express yourself assertively and communicate your needs and boundaries clearly, effectively and respectfully
• Become more willing to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone
• Develop resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures
• Navigate the ups and downs of life, the changes and uncertainty with grace and resilience
• Become more able to connect with others on a deep level, showing empathy and compassion for others' experiences and feelings
• Create a more positive outlook on life, focusing on opportunities and possibilities rather than dwelling on negativity or limitations
• Become more present in the moment and appreciate yourself and your life more
• Reduce feelings and thoughts around stress and increase feelings of contentment and peace

Testimonials

With clients' permission to share the below, I'm grateful I can share some of the feedback received (you can find more on my website):

"I can’t express how much you have done for me over our time together. I had been in a worrying place for a long time but with your help I have felt more myself again. I was always really impressed with how listened to me talk for quite a long and uninterrupted period, but then summarised the issue perfectly in a way that was a lightbulb for me." 

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"I am so glad I took the leap and looked for counselling, and very grateful that it was with Irina. I was unsure about how well online counselling would work, but I felt at ease, and that we had a good rapport and working relationship. 

The sessions have given me back self confidence, something that has been buried for a long time. I feel more myself than I have in a long time. The sessions helped me understand some stressful relationships in my life a lot better and I learnt how to have clearer emotional boundaries. 

​I am truly grateful for the experience and how much it has helped me, and I would highly recommend Irina's services."

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"I chose to start my sessions with Irina for several reasons: her professional specializations, and empathy, since I felt she would understand me better.

She helped me understand and face a series of quite important events that came together (pandemic, moving to a new country, work overload etc.) and that somehow were blocking me, falling into a kind of burnout or depression.

She also helped me realize that I need to learn to set limits, not be so self-demanding and allow myself a little more, that there are more things in life than work."

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"I had weekly sessions with Irina via video call.  I am very grateful for the safe, close and professional space she has offered me. Irina, with her great empathy, her always appropriate words and her power of synthesis over the reflections I was making, has guided me to this point of wellbeing.
It has been fundamental and great to be able to count on her!"

Before deciding to commence therapy, I offer an initial assessment session. 

Our initial session lasts 50 minutes during which we can explore what your current struggles are, how we could work together in therapy, answer any questions you may have about therapy or working with me. It is also an opportunity to see if we're a good fit as it's important for you to feel safe and comfortable in our work, and for me to make sure I can offer the right support you need.  

​Initial assessment session - £45 per 50-minute session (online or in-person in Bristol).

Please email or text me if you would like a short call for any specific queries you may have prior to arranging an assessment session. 

​If we decide to work together, rates for subsequent therapy sessions are:

​Frome - £55 per 50-minute session

Bristol - £60 per 50-minute session

​Online - £55 per 50-minute session 

​I'm also an affiliate therapist with WPA Health Insurance. If your sessions are covered through workplace benefits, please get in touch with me for more details.

Does Online Therapy Work?

I'm highly experienced in working with clients via video-sessions and have facilitated and seen results in my clients' processes which has led me to recommend online therapy as equally effective as in-person sessions. 

Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for various mental health conditions, but also to support you in changing any unhelpful habits or behaviours. Same as in-person therapy, it encourages open and honest dialogue about issues that cause you distress.

• It's convenient - you can access therapy sessions from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating the need for travel and allowing for more flexibility.
• It's accessible - it's a better option for you if you live in rural or remote areas, have limited mobility, or face other barriers to accessing traditional in-person therapy.
• It's more comfortable - you may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive or personal issues from the comfort of your space, where you feel safe and secure.
• It's private and confidential - we have sessions via a secure and easy to use video conferencing platform. Also, there is no stress about others seeing you at the appointment (in a waiting room). 

• Gives you back time spent travelling to and from - You gain time by not worrying about and having to deal with transportation issues, including not spending money on travelling. No commute or traffic concerns with a video session.

• You have access to other online resources - I will provide with with other digital resources (your private, personal, tailored to your needs Mental Health Toolbox). You have access to these anytime between sessions.