Zofia Niemtus

If you’re looking for a therapist, it might be coming from the feeling that something isn’t quite right for you at the moment. Perhaps you’re finding anxious feelings keeping you awake or making it hard to get through the day. Maybe you’re feeling low and struggling to summon the energy to do anything. Or it might not even be so clear, just more like a nagging sense that things could be different, or better.

Whatever it is, therapy is a space for you to explore your feelings in a safe and non-judgemental space, where you can bring all of the parts of yourself and be met with curiosity and compassion.

I trained as an integrative counsellor, which means I am qualified in three different approaches (person-centred, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioural therapy, more information here: /about-therapy/types-of-therapy/integrative-counselling/). What that means for us in the room is that there are loads of different ways we can work, and we can blend approaches to suit your unique needs.

Perhaps you want to dig into your early life and understand how it might be affecting things happening now. Perhaps you'd rather work in the present, looking at your thoughts and behaviour and how these could change. We might use our sessions to process solely through talk, or we might try some creative approaches, meditation or breathwork, all depending on what feels right for you.

However we decide to work, I can promise you a dedicated space where you will be really listened to and supported in finding change that feels right. My practice is LGBTQ+ inclusive and neurodivergent-friendly, and always acknowledges the wider systems that have such a massive impact on all of our lives. 

I offer both short- and long-term work. The short-term approach (usually between six to 12 sessions) is most useful when there is a particular issue or goal in mind. It can also be useful for getting a taste of what therapy is like, with the possibility of longer therapeutic work further down the line.

The long-term approach is usually open-ended, so our work together can be of any length that you need, and we can talk about your progress as we go, considering together when the time is right to end.

I offer sessions face to face, online, on the phone, or a combination of these, so you can choose whatever works best for you.

I also offer a free 50-minute introductory session, so I can get a sense of what's happening in your life right now and what you'd like to achieve in therapy, and you can get a sense of whether I might be the right person to work with.

I am also very aware of the financial investment that therapy requires, and how incredibly hard that can be for people at times. I keep a number of lower-cost slots aside for this reason, so if affordability is an issue, please let me know.

I offer a free 50-minute introductory session, so I can get a sense of what's happening in your life right now and what you'd like to achieve in therapy, and you can get a sense of whether I might be the right person to work with. 

As a former teacher, I know first-hand how the stress of the job can feel unavoidable and all-consuming at times. I have seen how the dedication required to be a great teacher often comes at a high personal cost, leading to issues including anxiety, compassion fatigue and a feeling of disconnection that, left unaddressed, can lead to mental health issues.

Throughout my education career - from the adrenaline rush of the NQT days to the pressure of managing Key Stage 4 in a busy English department - I repeatedly found myself at the edge of burnout. I am sad to say that I did not get the support I needed in time and opted to leave the classroom, despite my enormous passion for the work.

Having retrained as a therapist, I am equally passionate about using my skills to support those who dedicate their lives to the classroom, including teachers, teaching assistants, leaders and admin staff.

I don't see work-related stress as a line on a list of possible issues; I lived it and I truly understand the reality of shrinking budgets, expanding class sizes, relentless Ofsted cycles, and the emotional toll of school life. My experience allows us to bypass the need to explain the system, and get straight to the heart of what you need to make things feel more manageable.

I trained as an integrative counsellor and so am qualified in three of the main schools of therapy (person-centred, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioural therapy) and will work with you to create a blend of these that suits your unique needs. Our work will be relational, meaning we use the trust and safety of our therapeutic relationship to explore the dynamics affecting you, both in and outside of school.

I offer a dedicated, non-judgmental, and confidential space where you can take a break from the demands of the job and really focus entirely on yourself. My practice is always LGBTQ+ inclusive and neurodivergent-friendly.

I can provide support for a wide range of issues experienced by those in education, including:

Work-related stress and burnout
Managing extreme workload, perfectionism and boundary-setting.

Relationship challenges
Navigating difficult dynamics with colleagues, leadership teams, challenging parents, or students.

Anxiety and depression
Dealing with performance anxiety, imposter syndrome, and low mood resulting from systemic pressure and workload.

Identity
Reconnecting with your sense of self outside of your professional role.

Anger and trauma
Processing vicarious trauma, managing anger and dealing with the lasting impact of incidents at work.

I offer short-term (usually 6 to 12 sessions) and long-term (open-ended) work. The short-term approach is most useful for exploring a particular issue or goal, or for getting a taste of what therapy is like, with the possibility of longer therapeutic work further down the line. 

The long-term approach is usually open-ended, so our work together can be of any length that you need, and we can talk about your progress as we go, considering together when the time is right to end.

We can discuss the best approach for you during our first meeting.