What Guides My Work

Years Of
Experience

5+

Call Us:

01748908764

About me

I am an independent practitioner and Director at True Sense Therapy, offering psychological services to adolescents and adults. My practice is inclusive and culturally sensitive, supporting neurodivergent clients and individuals from diverse backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ communities and those with experiences of migration, displacement, or marginalisation. I am mindful of how neurodiversity, culture, family systems, faith, gender identity, and sexual orientation shape experiences and coping strategies. Drawing on my own journey seeking queer-affirmative therapy, I am committed to creating a safe, affirming space tailored to each individual.

My doctoral research explored therapy satisfaction among LGBTQ+ clients, highlighting the importance of trust, cultural competence, and therapist acceptance; principles that remain central to my practice.

My Philosophy

I believe therapy is most effective when you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. My approach is warm, collaborative, and flexible, shaped around you as a whole person. I tailor each session to your individual needs, strengths, and goals, adapting the work as therapy progresses. I see the therapeutic relationship as central to meaningful change and aim to create a safe, non-judgemental space where you can explore difficult thoughts and emotions at your own pace. Therapy with me is not about being “fixed”, but about developing self-awareness, resilience, and self-compassion, empowering you to reconnect with yourself and move forward in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.

We work together, respecting your pace and priorities.

I adapt proven psychological approaches to suit your needs, rather than using one rigid model.

My work follows HCPC and BPS professional guidelines, with clear boundaries, confidentiality, and safeguarding at its core.

How I Work

I provide an integrative approach to therapy, combining cognitive behavioural and person-centred frameworks with insights from third-wave approaches including dialectical behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, compassion-focused therapy, and emotion-focused therapy. My work is informed by a pluralistic perspective, recognising that no single approach fits everyone, and I prioritise collaboration and shared decision-making to identify what feels most helpful at each stage of therapy. Where appropriate, I also draw on principles from life and health coaching.

I bring extensive clinical experience across the NHS, charitable organisations, and higher education settings throughout England and Scotland. I support clients with a wide range of difficulties, from mild to complex, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, emotional regulation challenges, trauma, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, anger, phobias, bereavement, and personality-related concerns. I also work with individuals navigating identity, relationships, career transitions, and overall wellbeing.

What to Expect From Therapy

Therapy often unfolds in stages, though everyone’s journey is unique. Below is a gentle outline of what this process can look like.

The Beginning

Your initial session is a space to explore what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to work towards. We will talk through current challenges, coping patterns, and any past experiences that feel important. This helps us build a shared understanding of your needs and shape our work together.

The Middle

As therapy continues, we may explore recurring themes, deepen emotional awareness, and develop practical tools to support change. Sessions remain collaborative and responsive, supporting insight, emotional resilience, and meaningful progress at your pace.

The End

The length of therapy depends on your individual needs. As we move towards ending, we focus on consolidating what you have learned, recognising your progress, and supporting you to move forward with greater confidence and self-awareness.

Areas of specialism and experience:

Starting this journey can feel like a big step. Sessions are designed to be clear, collaborative, and supportive, so you can decide if it feels right for you.

Online sessions are tailored to your needs and goals, at your pace, offering space to reflect, gain clarity, understand patterns, and build tools that support everyday life.

Here are some of the areas I can support you with.

Stress and burnout

Emotional regulation and overwhelm

Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety, panic disorder, OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)

Low mood

Depression

Self-esteem and self-doubt

Trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Identity, sexuality, and LGBTQ+ support

Neurodiversity

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Grief, loss, and bereavement

Life transitions

Relationship and interpersonal difficulties

Behavioural and coping difficulties

My Qualifications:

DPsych. in Counselling Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK (2025)
Personal Performance Life Coaching Diploma, The Coaching Academy, UK (2025)
Health Coaching Certificate, Peak Health, UK (2023)
MSc. in Psychology, University of Reading, UK (2022)
The Silva Method: Silva Life System Program, UK (2020)
Postgraduate Certificate in Secondary Education: English, University of Reading, UK (2020)
B.A. in English Language and Linguistics, Queen Mary University, UK (2019)

I've Helped People Just Like You

Nikola’s warm and grounding presence made it much easier to start therapy. She created a genuinely safe and supportive space from the beginning, and I never felt rushed or judged. Her calm tone of voice and attentive listening made it easier to open up and feel understood. Her integrative approach made sense to me because she explained things clearly and helped me see how different therapeutic interventions could be useful for me. I always felt my goals were respected, and we worked together at a pace that felt right. Over time I gained more confidence in managing anxiety and understanding myself better.

I felt listened to from the very first session. The space felt calm, professional and non-judgemental, which made it easier to talk about things I’d never said out loud before.

What stood out most was how safe and accepting the sessions felt. Nikola listened carefully and responded in a way that felt thoughtful and reassuring. I came in with a lot of self-doubt and stress about relationships, and she helped me explore my thoughts and emotions without pressure or expectation. I never felt pushed, only encouraged to understand myself more deeply and try new ways of responding. I noticed improvements in my confidence, emotional regulation, and the quality of my relationships.

The sessions were thoughtful and grounding. I appreciated the collaborative approach and the way complex experiences were explored without pressure or quick fixes.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the process felt clear and supportive. Having a consistent, confidential space each week made a real difference to how I relate to myself.

I came to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, and unsure where to begin. From the first few sessions I felt supported in a way that was both compassionate and practical. Nikola took time to understand my background, patterns, and what I actually wanted from therapy rather than jumping to quick solutions. Her approach was always tailored to me, and her gentle tone and careful listening helped me feel safe throughout the process. I appreciated how sessions balanced reflection with tools I could use between sessions. I now have more clarity, better boundaries, and a stronger sense of self. Therapy with Nikola was a meaningful investment in my wellbeing and I would recommend her to anyone seeking thoughtful, ethical, and affirming support.