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When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves

Viktor E. Frankl

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Maria Kalinina
Psychotherapist
MBACP

You may find that past experiences continue to influence how you feel and respond in the present, even when you can understand things logically.

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My work focuses on helping you make sense of these patterns, so that change feels not only possible, but sustainable.

I offer a thoughtful, in-depth approach to therapy, with a particular focus on trauma and its impact on how we experience ourselves and others.

My work is grounded in both psychological understanding and lived human experience, recognising that difficulties often develop for good reasons, even if they no longer serve us.

I draw on a range of evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and, NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), integrating these depending on your individual needs.

The core model I use is NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), to explore how past experiences continue to shape present patterns of thinking, feeling and relating.

The work looks at both what we are aware of and what may sit outside of immediate awareness - helping you to understand your internal world more fully, including thoughts, emotions, and how experiences are held in the body. 

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Through this work, you may begin to:

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  • Develop a greater capacity to recognise and tolerate your emotions

  • Understand how past experiences influence your current responses

  • Work through unresolved experiences at a pace that feels manageable

  • Reduce patterns such as anxiety, disconnection, or emotional overwhelm

  • Build a stronger sense of self and internal stability

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I believe that therapy is not about fixing what is wrong but about understanding how your experiences have shaped you, and finding ways to move forward that feel more aligned and sustainable.​​​​​​​​

I specialise in complex trauma and some of the issues I work with include:

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  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Developmental Trauma

  • Dissociative Disorders including DID

  • Identity Issues

  • Impulsivity

  • Interpersonal Issues

  • Personality Disorders

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

  • Self-Esteem and Low Self-Worth

  • Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation

  • Terminal Ambivalence

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My 10 year experience includes working within NHS and community setting, as well as offender care services, supporting individuals with both common mental health difficulties and complex trauma.

This has shaped a grounded and realistic understanding of how different life experiences impact people.

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My ongoing professional development is informed by the work of clinicians and researches including Carolyn Spring, Gabor Mate, Bessel van der Kolk, and Peter Levine

What to expect from therapy

Sometimes even to live is an act of courage

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Initial Consultation (20 min - Free)

An opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy, your current concerns, and what you are looking for. This allows you to get a sense of whether working together feels right for you.

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Initial assessment and Care Planning (1-2 sessions) 

A comprehensive assessment to understand your current difficulties, how they have developed, and how they are impacting your life.

This includes exploring patterns of thinking, feeling and relating, as well as what you hope to move towards through therapy. This may include understanding different parts of the self (for example, responses shaped by earlier experiences alongside present-day thinking)

There is no expectation to go into detail about past experiences before safety and trust are established. The focus is on understanding where you are now and what is needed to begin the work.

Together we will develop a clear and realistic plan tailored toy our individual needs. I believe this process provides a foundation for focused and meaningful therapeutic work.

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Face to Face and Remote Psychotherapy (50min)

Usually weekly sessions - day/evening with short term, long term or open ended contracts. Tailored to suit your requirements

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Please enquire for pricing or any further information

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What to expect from Three Phase Approach

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Therapy often moves through different stages rather than following a fixed structure. We may move between these phases depending on your needs and what is emerging in the work.
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Phase One : Stabilisation and Understanding
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The initial focus is on building safety and stability.​
This includes developing the capacity to manage emotions, reduce overwhelm, and begin to understand how your experiences have shaped current patterns of thinking, feeling and rrlating.
You may begin to recognise patterns, make sense of your responses, and develop ways to feel more grounded in the present.
 
Phase Two: Processing and Change
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As stability develops, we may begin to work more directly with past experiences.
This involves processing what has been unresolved and understanding how it continues to influence your beliefs, behaviours, and relationships.
The aim is not to revisit the past for its own sake, but to allow change in patterns that are no longer helpful.
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Phase Three: Integration
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This stage focuses on integrating what has been explored in therapy into your day to day life.
You may notice a greater sense of clarity, stability, and the ability to respond differently to challenges.
The focus is on developing a more consistent and sustainable way of relating to yourself and others.​​​
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