Hi, I’m Bistra Slavkova – a Young People Psychotherapeutic Counsellor practicing online in West London, across the UK, and worldwide. I offer private therapy for children and young people facing challenges like anxiety, OCD, and other mental health concerns.
My approach is integrative and strengths-based, combining therapies such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). I also incorporate art and play interventions, providing creative outlets for children to express themselves and process emotions safely.
My Qualifications & Work Experience
PG Dip Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counselling from the Northern Guild for Counselling and Psychotherapy
BSc (Hons) Child Development Psychology from London South Bank University
OCD Therapist/Associate at The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy
School Counsellor with Tsunami Counselling and Dukes Education
Early Intervention Children and Family Wellbeing Practitioner (CAMHS Tier 2 Practitioner) at the Anna Freud Centre
Clinical Practice/Placement with Place2Be
what’s therapy for?
In today’s fast-paced world, young people face a myriad of challenges – from academic pressures and social dynamics to personal identity exploration. As a BACP-registered Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, I offer private therapy services designed to support young minds in navigating these complexities with resilience and confidence.
Whether you’re based in London, elsewhere in the UK, or internationally, I provide flexible therapy options to meet young people’s needs. Sessions are available online, ensuring accessibility and convenience without compromising the quality of care.
Anxiety & OCD
use ERP, ACT, CBT, and CFT to help children and teens face fears, reduce compulsions, and unhook from intrusive thoughts. Creative tools like storytelling, drawing, play, and mindfulness make the process engaging, accessible, and supportive.
Low Mood
Through a blend of ACT, CBT, and Behavioural Activation, I support young people in understanding their emotions, taking small but meaningful steps toward re-engagement with life, and developing self-compassion. Creative expression, such as painting or working with clay, can also help them process feelings when words feel difficult.
Identity, Confidence & self-esteem
Using CBT, ACT, and compassion-focused approaches, I help children and teens explore identity, challenge negative self-beliefs, and build confidence. Creative tools like storytelling and role-play make space for self-expression and self-acceptance.
Stress & Academic Pressure
I teach young people strategies based on ACT and CBT to manage academic pressure, shift unhelpful thinking patterns, and focus on what’s within their control. Art, visualisation, and grounding techniques provide a creative and calming way to manage overwhelm and build resilience.
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FAQs:
where do I work?
At the moment I work exclusively with The Integrative Centre for OCD Therapy.
what about confidentiality?
The detailed content of sessions is usually kept confidential, other than discussion with clinical supervisor and your GP as standard. However, the exception to this would be if there was a concern about risk to someone, in which case information would need to be shared to ensure safety is maintained.
What happens in my first session?
The first session is an assessment. The assessment will cover a range of topics including the presenting concerns, the young person’s life in general, including their likes and dislikes, hopes for the future, their goals for any changes they might wish to make and the family history. Both the young person and a parent would usually be involved in the assessment, depending on the young person’s age and the family’s preference.
online or in-person?
I offer sessions online in London, across the United Kingdom and Worldwide.
what if I need urgent help?
Please be aware that this is not an emergency service and I am unable to provide emergency advice or support. Please contact your GP urgently or attend A&E if you need immediate support. or contact the other relevant emergency services.
Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan or visit: https://www.samaritans.org/
Visit https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ for call, text and email support options for young people.
check these out:
free resources for young people
inspiration, self-care, fact sheets, activity sheets, mood trackers, & much more
articles and more info for parents
check out my blog
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resources, ideas, & mindfulness
