Aneta Sirociuk
Counselling & Psychotherapy
MA, MBACP
Welcome
How
therapy can help?
Therapy can provide you with the opportunity to talk in confidence about difficulties you are experiencing in your life. I will not give you advice or make decisions for you as I believe we all have an inborn ability to find the answers within. My role is to respond with understanding, to help you find out why you feel as you do and to explore what choices are there for you, to make your life more manageable. I will offer some observations or ask questions that will invite you to look at your problem/ issue from a different perspective.
I would like to help you to understand what might be holding you back, connect with your inner self and find peace regardless of your life circumstances. I believe that psychological well-being does not mean perfection and getting rid of problems but is rooted in awareness and developing tools to cope with life’s challenges.
I work from a trauma informed, integrative perspective and have substantial experience in supporting people who have experienced trauma, particularly sexual, emotional and physical abuse. Together we can explore what coping strategies you have developed to manage your trauma. I will be at your side as you are processing your pain and tell your story. We will also work on developing trust (towards self and others), safety and a healthy sense of control over your life.
Counselling can also be a part of your emotional self-care and a great opportunity to take care of your mental health, similarly to how you would look after your physical health by exercising or healthy eating. You don’t always need to wait until things become overwhelming; you can invest in yourself now and explore your thoughts, feelings and needs in a safe, impartial, non-judgemental space.
My Approach
I am a relational integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor, which means that I draw from various approaches, including Person Centred, Gestalt and Psychodynamic, putting the therapeutic relationship at the centre of my work. As each client is unique, so is the relationship we co-create. I certainly have been changed by my clients and felt touched by their presence and stories. In a world that is influenced by social media, capitalism, and secularism, a true, transpersonal connection is a gift.
I am aware of the impact of trauma on client’s nervous system and consequently on their everyday life. I keep up to date with recent literature and findings on trauma, including developments of new theories. Working with complex, developmental trauma and PTSD, I am always mindful of client’s safety and the fact that this type of work should be approached gently and at client’s own pace. I believe in the wholeness of each person, in the unity of mind, body and spirit. I therefore incorporate some body work, alongside a cognitive exploration. In my work with survivors of abuse, I use some grounding techniques, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Focusing and Polyvagal theory to facilitate client’s safety in their bodies and re-connecting with the self and others. I pay close attention to how I am being with clients, as opposed to just focusing on what I am doing. One of the modalities I trained in is Gestalt, which I frequently use in form of experiments. At the heart of what I do is investing in the quality of my relationship with clients. As each client is unique, so is the relationship we co-create. I embody person-centred core conditions in every session, staying empathic, affirming of client’s experiences and congruent in what I do and who I am. I help clients make sense of their inner conflicts and experiences so they can develop compassion, self-acceptance and control over their lives.
I am a member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and adhere to their ethical framework and professional standards.
About Me
My background is in education and social care, including working with children who have special needs and parents who care for a child with disability. I originally trained as a SEN teacher in Poland, obtaining my teaching degree in 2006. In addition to my therapeutic work, my role in social services provided me with valuable experience of engaging with people from all walks of life, across social class, sexuality, disability, age, race and nationality.
I worked with the Women and Girls Network (WGN) charity in London for two years as a specialist trauma counsellor, supporting women and girls affected by sexual and gender-based violence. I also volunteered at Cotswold Counselling charity in Cirencester for three years and have had the privilege of working with people from many different backgrounds. In addition, I have been seeing clients in my private practice in Swindon since August 2023.
I facilitate culturally sensitive therapy with an understanding of issues related to diversity and identity. Alongside my interest and experience in working with trauma, I feel passionate about supporting people in exploring their neurodivergence and how it manifests in their lives. I have worked with many clients who have been diagnosed with ADHD and ASD as adults or who are considering pursuing diagnosis.
I grew up with lots of stories, both imagined and well-known ones. Becoming a therapist means becoming a witness to people’s stories. Every client comes like a book; we slowly read its chapters, re-write some and add others. There are tales filled with profound sadness, pain and loss. Some of them come to a resolution by the time our work ends, some of them do not. There are chapters in my clients’ life books that correspond with my own life experiences, sometimes in a serendipitous way, other times as shared feelings or circumstances.There have been times in my own life when I asked myself: Who am I? What matters to me? Why am I here? I believe this dilemma to be universal, and also necessary, to be explored at least once in our lifetime. The answers can lead to illuminating results.
I have experienced first-hand how transformative therapy can be. It helped me cope with life changing events and conditions. It also helped me grow as a person, to have more agency and to become more fully myself. The values I am committed to in my clinical practice are also present in my own life, to the point that they have pathed a new way of being, more embodied, congruent and aware.
My Qualifications
I trained at the University of the West of England, Bristol, and hold a Masters Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy (graduated in June 2023). Three main modalities I trained in, as part of my Masters Degree, are: Gestalt, Person Centred Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. I am a member of the BACP and adhere to their ethical framework and professional standards.
In addition to my counselling degree, I hold a Level 4 counselling certificate in Person Centred and Psychodynamic Skills (University of the West of England, completed in June 2020).
I have completed various training courses such as:
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Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/ tapping)
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Focusing
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Polyvagal theory
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ACT therapy,
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Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)
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Psychosynthesis
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CBT for anxiety
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Various trauma training, including developmental trauma, sexual abuse, CSA, DV, gendered violence.
At the heart of what I do is investing in the quality of my relationship with clients. As each client is unique, so is the relationship we co-create.
What to expect
Sessions are held either online via Zoom or in person at The Shaftesbury Centre (room 36), Percy Street, Rodbourne, Swindon,
SN2 2AZ.
I offer a free 30-minute video or phone consultation. During our initial chat we can get to know each other and you can decide if I am the right therapist for you. You can ask me questions, briefly explain the issue that has led you to seeking therapy as well as any goals that you may have for the future.
If you decide you want to start therapy with me, we will normally meet weekly, at the same time, for 50 minutes. This will be your space to bring whatever you wish. I look forward to walking alongside you on this journey of greater self-awareness.
All sessions are confidential. This means I will not disclose anything we discuss to anyone else without your permission. There are exceptional circumstances when information disclosed by a client will be passed on to another agency.
Ongoing weekly sessions cost £60.
