Faidra Vergi

Have you ever felt that past experiences are affecting your present, that you keep finding yourself in the same relationship patterns, or that you are struggling with feelings you cannot quite make sense of?

Perhaps you are coping on the outside while feeling overwhelmed, disconnected or emotionally exhausted inside. You may be navigating grief, difficult childhood experiences, relationship challenges or a period of uncertainty in your life. Whatever has brought you to counselling, you do not have to work through it all alone.

I am an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist with a background in psychology and over 12 years of experience working within the NHS, supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties and navigating complex life challenges.

My particular areas of interest include childhood trauma, grief and loss, attachment, and relationship difficulties. I am interested in understanding not just what you are experiencing today, but also how your past experiences, relationships and life circumstances may have shaped the way you feel about yourself and relate to others.

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling safe enough to be yourself, understood without judgement, and supported to explore your experiences at your own pace. I offer a compassionate, collaborative space where you can make sense of your feelings, recognise patterns that may no longer serve you, and develop a deeper understanding of yourself.

Whether you are struggling with something from your past, facing difficulties in the present, or simply wanting to understand yourself better, I will work alongside you to help you move towards greater self-awareness, emotional wellbeing and more fulfilling relationships.

You do not need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. We can begin wherever you are.

I offer counselling and psychotherapy online, face-to-face and through walk-and-talk sessions in Leicestershire. Walk-and-talk sessions take place outdoors, with the location agreed together in advance. Sessions are £50 online or for walk-and-talk, and £60 for face-to-face sessions.

I have a degree in Psychology and a Master's-level qualification in Counselling and Psychotherapy through an accredited course. I also bring over 12 years of professional experience working within the NHS, most recently as an Employment Specialist within a mental health team.

My NHS experience has given me valuable insight into the challenges people face when living with mental health difficulties, managing life transitions and trying to maintain their wellbeing while navigating personal, professional and relationship pressures. I have experience working with people with a range of mental health diagnoses and understand that each person's experience is unique.

Alongside my counselling and psychotherapy training, my professional background has strengthened my understanding of the relationship between mental health, life experiences, emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning.

I recognise that seeking support can feel daunting, particularly if you have experienced difficulties trusting others or have spent a long time managing things on your own. I aim to offer a respectful, non-judgemental and collaborative therapeutic relationship in which you can feel heard and supported.

My work is guided by an integrative approach, allowing me to draw on different therapeutic perspectives to respond to your individual needs, experiences and goals.

I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, with particular interests in the following areas:

Childhood trauma and difficult early experiences

Early experiences can shape how we see ourselves, how safe we feel with others and what we come to expect from relationships. If you experienced emotional neglect, rejection, criticism, instability or other painful experiences growing up, you may find that their effects continue into adulthood. Therapy can help you explore these experiences, understand their impact and develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

Grief and loss

Grief can affect every part of life, whether you are mourning the death of someone important, adjusting to a significant life change or coming to terms with a relationship that has ended. There is no single right way to grieve. I offer space to explore the feelings that accompany loss, at your own pace, while finding ways to live alongside your grief and reconnect with life.

Relationships and attachment

You may find yourself repeating familiar relationship patterns, struggling to trust others, fearing rejection or finding it difficult to express your needs. Perhaps you give a great deal to others but struggle to prioritise yourself, or you find closeness difficult even when you want connection. Therapy can help you explore how earlier experiences may influence your relationships today and develop greater awareness of your emotional needs, boundaries and ways of relating.

Anxiety, low mood and emotional overwhelm

When life feels difficult, it can be hard to understand your emotions or know how to move forward. I can support you in exploring underlying concerns, recognising unhelpful thinking patterns and developing healthier ways of managing difficult feelings.

Self-esteem, self-worth and identity

If you are often self-critical, feel that you are not good enough or find yourself putting other people's needs before your own, therapy can provide an opportunity to understand these patterns. Together, we can explore where these beliefs may have originated and work towards greater self-acceptance and confidence.

Life transitions and work-related difficulties

My NHS experience, including my work as an Employment Specialist within a mental health team, has given me insight into the relationship between mental health, work, identity and life circumstances. I can support you in exploring the emotional impact of change, work-related stress, confidence difficulties and challenges affecting your sense of direction.

I offer counselling and psychotherapy online, face-to-face in Leicestershire, and through walk-and-talk sessions outdoors. Walk-and-talk locations are agreed together in advance.

Online counselling and psychotherapy: £50 per session

Walk-and-talk counselling and psychotherapy: £50 per session

Face-to-face counselling and psychotherapy: £60 per session

My aim is to offer a flexible approach, helping you choose a setting that feels comfortable and suitable for your needs.

I work integratively, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches rather than assuming that one approach will suit everyone. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to work alongside you to help you understand your experiences, identify what matters to you and find a way forward that feels right for you.

At the heart of my work is a person-centred approach. I aim to create a therapeutic relationship built on empathy, respect, openness and acceptance, where you can talk freely without fear of judgement. I understand that building trust takes time, and there is no pressure to share anything before you feel ready.

I draw on attachment-based perspectives to explore how early relationships and experiences may have influenced your sense of self, emotional needs and ways of relating to others. This can be particularly helpful if you experience recurring relationship difficulties, fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting others or a tendency to put your own needs aside.

I also use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help you recognise connections between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Where appropriate, we can explore unhelpful patterns, develop practical coping strategies and identify new ways of responding to challenging situations.

Depending on your needs, I may also draw on schema therapy and Gestalt-informed approaches to explore longstanding beliefs, emotional patterns, present-moment experiences and different aspects of yourself. I adapt my approach to your individual circumstances rather than expecting you to fit a particular model of therapy.

Our work together may involve making sense of past experiences, understanding what you are feeling in the present, recognising patterns that keep you stuck and exploring practical changes that support your wellbeing. Sometimes this means gently exploring painful emotions; at other times, it may mean developing coping strategies, strengthening boundaries or finding new ways to relate to yourself and others.

I recognise that everyone's journey is different. We will work at a pace that feels manageable for you, regularly reflecting on what you need from therapy and what feels helpful.

My aim is to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, build emotional resilience, strengthen your sense of self-worth and move towards relationships and a life that feel more fulfilling and authentic to you.

You deserve a space where your experiences matter, your feelings are taken seriously and you can begin to make sense of things in your own time.