Arete

Psychotherapy







About

My name is Milena Nikolova. Based in Bristol, I am a qualified Psychotherapist with 20 years of
experience in practice. My therapeutic style is both warm and professional. I am ethically driven and believe that it is important to try to truly understand a client’s point of view. You will also find that I am flexible, adapting my style to your needs. Even in the face of highly emotive situations, I strive to be open-minded, creative and contemplative. Supporting and caring for my clients comes naturally to me.

My approach is both collaborative and mindful. I am currently working with adult and adolescent clients face-to-face in Bedminster and online via video conferencing. Other aspects of my work are: one-to-one supervision; individual therapy face-to-face; online sessions.




ExperienceIn the past 20 years I have worked in a variety of mental health care settings including: NHS primary and secondary care; social services; a local homeless charity and the private sector.
 
In my professional experience I have worked with adults suffering with a variety of mental health problems and co-morbidity. 
This is an incomplete list but you are most welcome to ask about other issues:

Mood disorders: Depression & Low Self-Esteem. Bipolar Disorder.

Anxiety disorders: Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD); Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD); Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD); Post-Traumatic Stress disorder both simple and complex (PTSD); Health Anxiety; Social anxiety; Panic Disorder; Agoraphobia; Phobias and Stress.

Neurodiversity: Adult ADHD; Autistic Spectrum disorder; 
Other: Insomnia, Anger management, Personality disorders, Chronic health problems and Medically unexplained symptoms. Eating disorders (Bulimia nervosa and Binge eating disorder).

Areas of speciality: 
Trauma Focused Therapy 

Areas of interest: 
Compassion Focused Therapy 

Areas of ongoing development: 
Neurodiversity 




Qualifications
 Qualifications and CPD training in brief 

Advance Training in Compassion Focused Therapy, Derby 2023 
Introduction to Interpersonal Psychotherapy, London 2022
Supervision training, OCTC Oxford, 2021 
Eye Movement Desensitization Psychotherapy level 1, 2 & 3, Glasgow 2020
Motivational Interviewing, Cardiff 2019 
Mindfulness and Vipassana retreat, since 2018 
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Maidenhead 2017 
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Bristol 2015 
Post Graduate IAPT Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Plymouth 2012
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Health Science, Bristol 2007 
Diploma in Counselling, Yeovil 2002


I am fully accredited with BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies).
To check my registration, press the BABCP link below and type my surname.






Testimonies Before therapy when things were difficult I felt like I'm airplane that is broken or doesn't know how to fly. The therapy was like being tuned in to 'ground control'. I realised that freezing with fear and checking does not help me. 'Ground control' therapy is what I looked for to improve my navigation skills. My checking has reduced, still I need courage and self-belief to continue applying the newly learned skills.

December 2012

I wanted to thank you for all your help. I know it is your job, but you have given me the tools. I will remember the love and kindness you have shown me. Thank you for putting me on the path to recovery!

May 2014

Extremely helpful in changing the way I think of myself and what I do now has changed me for the better. Extremely compassionate therapist and easy to talk to. Never felt that there was any rush. We tried few of treatment options to find the best one for me.

June 2014

I found that the Behavioural Activation gave me back structure to my day and I have a new goal each week, which gave me something to aim for. I was very lonely so talking to Milena help me realise that I'm not the only one to feel like this. It was really good!

August 2014
Lot of useful techniques were introduced and explained well. Milena helped me to explore and question difficult beliefs and increased understanding and my ability to cope. Generally Milena really listened to everything I said and helped evaluate thoughts and improved my outlook. Very supportive!

August 2015

Very difficult events have occurred during treatment. They have been dealt with sensitivity. I have felt relaxed to open up from early stage in treatment and would highly recommend her and would be more than happy to see her again in the future.

October 2015

I did not enjoy the sessions at the start. I found it very difficult to speak about my issues. The session on exposure was particularly difficult, but on reflection it was very useful. The treatment has helped me to understand some of the complexities.

November 2015

I have found that CBT has really helped me to overcome some of my anxieties and worries. It has provided me with he skills I need to continue on. I appreciated all the resources that my therapist has provided me, both in session and via e-mail.

January 2016