A place to pause. Space to find yourself.
Counselling in St Albans and online, in English and Russian.
Perhaps you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or caught in patterns you cannot seem to change. Perhaps you manage life on the outside, while feeling disconnected or alone within it.
I’m Yana, an integrative counsellor with a background in clinical psychology and neuroscience. I offer a warm, thoughtful space where we can explore what is happening for you, paying attention to your feelings, relationships and bodily experience.
Together, we can work towards greater understanding, more choice, and a stronger sense of belonging in your own life.
I work with adults, children and young people experiencing anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, life transitions and emotional overwhelm. I offer in-person counselling in Hertfordshire and online counselling across the UK.
My approach is warm, professional and tailored to you.
About me
I am a Qualified Counselor, Chartered Psychologist and a PhD Researcher with 15 years of international experience in assessments, observation and treatment in psychology, psychiatry and psychotherapy.
My path into counselling brings together psychology, neuroscience, teaching and a long-standing curiosity about how people experience life.
I grew up in Siberia, lived and worked in Italy and later made my home in the UK. Moving between countries and cultures has made questions of identity, connection and belonging personally meaningful to me. What helps us feel at home? What happens when the ways we have learned to cope begin to restrict us?
My training as an integrative counsellor, with a Gestalt focus, sits alongside a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Siberian Academy of Sciences and postgraduate study in cognitive neuroscience in the UK.
In our work together, I bring both this scientific background and an attentive, human presence. We may explore words, emotions, sensations, images or moments of silence—following what helps you understand your experience, at a pace we agree together.
Services
I can provide a variety of services including assessments, expert reports and therapy.
I also work alongside other professionals including expert social workers, psychiatrists and family support workers to provide multi-disciplinary interventions .
Counseling
- Individual therapy for adults, children and young people
Psychological Assessments and Reports
- Assessment of psychological functioning
- Cognitive assessments
- Character and personality assessments
Neurofeedback
- Get in touch to be added to the waiting list for neurofeedback therapy.
My Qualifications
Level 4 Diploma in Integrative Therapy (Gestalt)
The Albany Centre, St Albans
Certificate in Gestalt Counselling
The Albany Centre, St Albans
Therapeutic Work with Children & Young People
• Place2Be Training in Therapeutic Work with Children & Young People.
• Specialist training and supervised school-based counselling practice, with a focus on child development, safeguarding, emotional regulation, play and creative therapeutic work.
MSc in Research Methods in Neuropsychology
University of Hertfordshire, UK
PhD in Clinical Psychology
Tomsk State University, Russia
BA in Psychology & Education
Tomsk State University, Russia
Additional Training
• Compassion Focused Therapy
• Teaching Clients Mindfulness Skills
• CBT Foundations, 218 hours
• Generalised Anxiety in Children & Adolescents, BPS-approved CPD
• Behaviour Management, Advanced Safeguarding & SEND training
Therapist / Counsellor
Therapeutic work with adults, children and young people in private practice and school settings, including emotional support, safeguarding, creative and play-based approaches.
School-Based Counsellor, Place2Be
Therapeutic work with children and young people in a school setting, including emotional support, safeguarding, creative and play-based approaches.
Chartered Psychologist / Private Practice
Psychological work with adults, children and families, including emotional wellbeing, assessment, psychoeducation, school-related concerns and liaison with other professionals.
Research Fellow / Research Assistant, University of Hertfordshire & NHS-linked OCD research
Clinical and neuropsychological research, including work related to OCD, psychological assessment, research methods and data analysis.
Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Siberian Federal University
University teaching in psychology, supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research, student support, seminars and academic research.
Education & SEN Support
Work with children and young people with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, behavioural difficulties and learning differences in mainstream and specialist educational settings.
