About Me
Originally, I studied Mechanical Engineering in Greece and later acquired an MBA at INSEAD in France. I worked as an Engineer in Greece, a Strategy Consultant in Germany and London, and for over 10 years in Sales and Marketing for a Spirits Company in London. I then went back to university for my Psychotherapy training.
My previous education, past career and life experience, and my multi-cultural background, allow me to have a profound understanding of various life challenges and build deep and sustainable therapeutic relationships with clients from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds.
I carried out my Psychotherapy Training at Regent’s University and practised extensively as a trainee at The Wimbledon Guild (https://www.wimbledonguild.co.uk/) and at The Claremont Project (https://www.claremont-project.org/).
I also spent over a year as a volunteer at the Wharton Ward in the Ladywell Unit at Lewisham Hospital (member of the South London and Maudsley SLAM NHS Foundation Trust). The Wharton Ward provides services for women with acute psychiatric illness.
Over the years I have also acted regularly as a volunteer mentor for young professionals via a community initiative.
My Qualifications
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Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling (Regent’s University, London)
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Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Regent’s University, London)
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Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling (Regent’s University, London)
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INSEAD MBA (France)
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BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering (National Technical University of Athens, Greece)
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BACP - Registered member – nr 396917. (All accreditation requirements fulfilled – accreditation process in progress)
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UKCP (All accreditation requirements fulfilled – accreditation process in progress)
I engage in bi-weekly supervision with an experienced supervisor of over 25 years’ experience in the NHS & private practice, and I am committed in continuous professional development and training. My work is covered by Towergate insurance.
About Therapy
"Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything. That's how the lights gets in." Leonard Cohen
Our life journey will invariably present us with challenges, some of which may even seem insurmountable.
Loss of someone close, divorce, career upheavals, illness, family and intimate relationship turmoil, childhood or other trauma are only some of the difficulties we may be called to face. There will also be other times when the cause of our internal discomfort may not be so apparent and tangible, but our emotional world will be in upheaval and we will be struggling to survive the every day. Persistent feelings of anxiety, self-loathing, depression, loneliness, lack of purpose or any other psycho-somatic experiences that render us unable to cope and function, let alone enjoy and thrive, are indicators that we may need some support and a safe place where we can explore our difficulties and hopefully heal.
Psychotherapy is a supportive relationship, which aims to provide clients with a safe space and time to explore, to increase their awareness and understanding about themselves and the world, and to empower them to make changes.
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I have experience of working with a diverse range of clients and addressing a large variety of issues. Some examples would include: depression and anxiety, various forms of addiction, self-harming, abusive relationships, chronic illness and death, loss and bereavement, family relationships and estrangement, neglect and abandonment traumas, identity crisis, sexuality issues, professional or family dramas, self-worth and self-efficacy challenges and many more.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
How I Work
As your therapist I will be a companion and a witness. My aim is to provide a relational sanctuary where you will feel confident to share your story. My objective is to be compassionate and yet curious, empathic and yet honest, and to be asking you those questions that will hopefully open-up new perspectives and opportunities for healing and growth.
I am an integrative psychotherapist - I have been trained in a variety of schools of thought and I aim to offer a personalised approach, one that integrates those concepts and ideas that best suit your unique circumstances.
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I am especially influenced by the psychodynamic and attachment-based approaches, and the idea that we are all product of our childhood and family, country, societal and other structures. I am also focused on the idea of trauma -and its impact - these lasting emotional responses we may be bound to, which are a result of living through distressing events or circumstances, and which can fundamentally alter our sense of self, our ability to regulate our emotional world, our relationships with others and in essence our core life experience.
During the sessions I aim to encourage honest and enlightening conversations, and to always collaborate and involve my clients in decisions about the process of therapy.
Contact Information
Our first meeting - in person or online – will be an assessment session. The purpose of this initial consultation is to give us a chance to meet and explore some key areas of concern, and to provide you (the client) with a first experience of therapy and to provide me (the therapist) with a sense of the situation and the opportunity to recommend the appropriate type of psychological approach.
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If you would like to arrange an assessment please email me at therapy@vasilikianyfioti.com
Address
PhysioBox Consulting Rooms
24 Stanhope Mews W, South Kensington, London SW7 5RB