Kristina Ikonomova

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and reaching out for support is often the hardest step. I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace.

With a background in both counselling and mental health services, I have experience supporting individuals facing a wide range of challenges, from anxiety, low mood, and self-esteem difficulties to trauma, grief, and more complex emotional struggles. My approach is primarily person-centred and tailored to your individual needs, combining understanding, collaboration, and practical support where helpful.

I believe that every person is unique, and together we can work towards greater self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful change in a way that feels right for you.

Qualifications

- MSc Psychology

- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling

- BSc Psychology with Counselling and Psychotherapy Principles and Practices

Training included:

• Humanistic Counselling Approaches

• Risk assessment and counselling assessments

• Trauma-informed counselling practice

• Safety planning

• Online counselling practice

• Ethical practice and professional boundaries

• Counselling in Organisations

• Working with Grief and Loss

• Supervised Practice in Counselling

• Working with Trauma

• Blended Practice

I have 9 years of experience working within mental health services across a range of settings, supporting individuals with complex emotional and psychological needs.

My experience includes working with people experiencing self-harm, eating disorders, trauma, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and other severe and enduring mental health difficulties. I have provided 1:1 emotional support, therapeutic engagement, and crisis support to individuals experiencing acute distress.

I also have experience working in forensic and secure inpatient mental health settings, supporting individuals with severe mental illness alongside offending histories. In these settings, I have worked collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to support care planning, risk management, and recovery-focused interventions.

Alongside this, I have supported both children and adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, epilepsy, learning disabilities, and non-verbal communication needs. I am experienced in adapting communication approaches, including the use of Makaton, to ensure accessibility and understanding.

In addition to my mental health experience, I have delivered counselling within supervised placements, supporting clients with trauma, grief, sexual abuse, ADHD, self-esteem and disordered eating difficulties. I work within ethical frameworks, maintain professional boundaries, and provide a safe, confidential space for clients to explore their experiences.

Anxiety

Depression

Low self-esteem and confidence

Trauma

Grief and loss

ADHD

Neurodiversity (including autism)

Eating disorders and body image concerns

Self-harm

Emotional regulation

Relationship difficulties

Stress and burnout

Sexual abuse and sexual trauma

Personality disorder-related difficulties

Life transitions and personal development

I work with adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, and relationship challenges.

Alongside this, I have experience supporting individuals affected by trauma, grief and loss, self-harm, eating disorders, body image concerns, and the lasting impact of abuse. I also work with clients experiencing difficulties relating to ADHD, autism, and other aspects of neurodiversity.

Drawing on both my counselling training and extensive mental health experience, I am able to support clients with complex emotional difficulties while providing a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space to explore their experiences.

Whether you are struggling with a specific issue or feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, I aim to work collaboratively with you to better understand your experiences and support meaningful change.

I work in an integrative way, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on each client's individual needs. While my practice is primarily person-centred, I also incorporate elements of Solution-Focused Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where appropriate.

I believe that no two people are the same, so I do not follow a rigid or one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, I take time to get to know you, understand your experiences, and explore what you would like to achieve from counselling. Together, we can identify your goals and develop an approach that feels right for you.

For some clients, counselling may involve exploring thoughts, feelings, and past experiences in a supportive and non-judgemental space. For others, it may be helpful to focus on practical strategies, coping techniques, or between-session exercises that support progress outside of our sessions. We will discuss this together and tailor the work to suit your preferences and needs.

Above all, I aim to provide a warm, compassionate, and collaborative environment where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes in your life.