ABOUT ME
My name is Ivan, and with over twenty years of experience in mental health, it continues to feel like a genuine privilege to walk alongside people as they seek a sense of peace, understanding, and renewal in their lives. I know that reaching out for support is not always easy, and I approach this work with care, humility, and deep respect for wherever you find yourself right now.
At the heart of how I work is a genuine care for you as a person, especially if you are going through a difficult or uncertain time. I aim to offer a space where you can bring whatever you’re carrying, without pressure, expectation, or fear of judgement. We work together at your pace, with openness and consent, creating something shared — a space where your voice matters and you are met with acceptance as you are.
I hold a strong belief in recognising the humanity in all of our experiences and responses. Healing is rarely immediate or straightforward; more often, it unfolds gradually, through patience, compassion, and small, meaningful steps. Over the years, I have supported people through a wide range of challenges, including self-harm, anxiety, relationship difficulties, identity questions, ADHD, and ASD, always with care to meet you as an individual, not a diagnosis.
As an integrative therapist, I adapt the work to suit you and what feels most helpful, sometimes gently bringing in creativity and reflection where it feels right. Therapy with me is a compassionate collaboration — a warm, steady space where you don’t have to be “fixed,” but can feel supported and accompanied. Together, we can create space for something more authentic to emerge, helping you move toward a life that feels more connected, grounded, and your own.
Education
- Masters in Psychotherapy and Counselling, Roehampton University, UK
- Foundation Course in Integrative Counselling, Minster Centre, UK
- Masters in Fine Art, Claremont Graduate University, USA
- Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art, California State University, USA
Work Experience and Training
I have spent most of my life working in roles centred around helping otWithin the therapeutic and mental health field, my experience is similarly diverse. I have worked with runaway LGBTQ+ teenagers in Hollywood, neurodivergent clients and their families, and served as an educational therapeutic coordinator, leading workshops and inviting respected therapists to provide specialist training within an organisation. I have also supervised more than twenty trainees, helping them build confidence, strengthen their skills, and develop a grounded sense of professional identity.
I now work in one of the largest charities in the country, supporting clients considered high-risk and navigating complex histories involving sexual, emotional, and social trauma.
In my private practice, I have worked with clients from a wide range of sexual identities, backgrounds, and life circumstances. I am deeply committed to ongoing learning and to offering therapy that is thoughtful, ethical, and genuinely supportive.
Recent Training:
- Understanding Trauma and Communication
- Facing the Shadow of Harm in Therapy
- Violence in Same-sex Relationships
- The Elephant in the Room: Shame in the Therapeutic Space
- Creativity in Therapy & Research Counselling
- Re-Visioning Person-centred Therapy: Theory and Practice
- Understanding Repetition in Clinical Work
- Trauma-Informed Practice for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
- Agape in Therapy
- The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse
- Central Ideas in Existential Psychotherapy
- Working with Adolescents with Eating Disorders
- Colourism in Therapy, Umma Thampu
- Supervision Training Counselling
- Cross-Cultural Therapy
- Gender and Sex in Therapy
- Pluralistic Therapy
- Everyday Creativity in Existential Therapy
- Understanding Masculinities
Menberships and Accreditations
Enhanced DBS certificate