Mariana Pascu

Hello, and welcome to my profile. I am a fully qualified psychodynamic therapist and psychologist.

You may be at a crossroads in life, struggling with anxiety/stress or depression. You may be looking to change something, find clarity, or find relief from the pain. Or you may simply want to be heard, deeply. This can be achieved in therapy.

I offer a friendly and respectful space where difficult things can be said and thought about together.

I work online and have a few spaces available for face to face work on Fridays, in central Birmingham (Custard Factory).

What can I help with?

Counselling and Therapy

In my counselling and therapy practice, I work across a number of areas, including:

• shame and guilt
• depression and anxiety/stress
• addictions and compulsions
• low self-esteem and self-confidence
• trauma
• sexual abuse
• eating disorders
• fertility issues
• navigating change and life transitions
• multiculturalism
• displacement, immigration & acculturation

Business/Career Coaching

At the confluence of my organisational and therapeutic experience, I offer coaching from a psychodynamic perspective, where we can work on professional goals and challenges through deeper explorations of felt obstacles, blockages or concerns. Together, we strive towards letting go of fears and judgement and letting come your purpose and passion. We focus on unlocking your true potential for meaningful and satisfying work.

What does 'psychodynamic' mean? 

We were all babies, children, adolescents once - and throughout the various stages of life, we learned to adapt to the challenges life presented. Working psychodynamically means respectfully recognising, honouring and attempting to make sense of past events that may have consciously or unconsciously shaped current patterns of behaving, thinking or feeling that feel unhelpful: imposter syndrome, shame, guilt, low self-esteem, fear of failure or abandonment. These may show up in friendships, couple relationships, at work or in the way we relate to ourselves in a consistent way.

You may have begun to feel some of these patterns, feelings or thoughts harm you or do not serve you, or you may wish to explore what a different, freer way of being may feel like - more meaningful relationships, work or finding a voice for the authentic you. Or, perhaps you're simply looking for a space to speak your truth and be heard.

What might working together look like?

We will work together to build trust and gradually shape the pace and goals of the work, in a safe space.

We use curiosity, compassion and creativity to steadily find a way towards a sense of liberation from unbearable feelings or thoughts, self-sabotaging behaviours, choices or decisions that may seem impossible to make, relationship difficulties, work challenges, feeling trapped, not good enough or hopeless.

Where do we begin?

Beginning a journey of self-knowledge and growth is not easy, yet clients do find it rewarding. Please email me for an initial consultation session during which we can explore what working together might look like. This will also be an opportunity to address any queries or concerns you may have at this stage.

Should we agree to proceed, we will meet via Zoom or at my office for weekly 50 min sessions, at a time that will be kept constant throughout our journey together. Our first few sessions will be focused on gently looking at what brought you to therapy and what you would like to work on. This will enable us to come to a view regarding our main aims and the length of the work.

I operate a sliding scale that takes into account the clients' individual circumstances. A number of concession places are available. I can also provide a superbill to help insured clients with reimbursement. Please do ask any questions about fees on our free initial consultation meeting.