Valentina Gkoulieva

Valentina Gkoulieva is a trainee integrative counsellor practicing with NHS Talking Therapies in Lambeth. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology and is a member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Valentina is currently undertaking professional counselling training and working towards qualification in integrative counselling. Her academic background provides a strong foundation in psychological theory, human development, and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan, which informs her thoughtful and reflective approach to therapeutic work. Valentina is committed to providing a confidential, supportive, and respectful space where clients can explore their experiences at their own pace.

Valentina’s approach is warm, collaborative, and integrative, allowing her to adapt her way of working to the individual needs, experiences, and goals of each client. She believes that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process and values creating a therapeutic relationship built on empathy, trust, and consistency. Valentina supports clients in exploring their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and patterns of behaviour, with particular attention to communication styles, relational dynamics, and the ways early experiences may influence present-day coping strategies. Her work is trauma-informed and grounded in respect for each client’s unique circumstances. She aims to support clients in developing greater self-awareness, emotional understanding, and more compassionate ways of relating to themselves and others.

Alongside her counselling training, Valentina has experience supporting young people through her counselling placement in a secondary school, where she worked with students experiencing emotional, behavioural, and relational difficulties. She also volunteers as a Youth Justice Panel member, an experience that has strengthened her understanding of family systems, accountability, and the wider social factors that can influence mental health and behaviour. These experiences have contributed to her interest in supporting clients with family issues, communication difficulties, trauma, and personality-related patterns. Fluent in English, Greek, and Russian, Valentina is able to work sensitively with clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She brings curiosity, compassion, and cultural awareness to her therapeutic work, supporting clients as they explore their experiences and develop a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.