Gently Curious
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Luiza keen
Therapy, which meets you where you are, so you can get to where you want to be.
Guildford | Dorking | Epsom | Online
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
— C.S. Lewis
Hello and welcome to my website
My name is Luiza and I am a relational counsellor and psychotherapist.
From my experience, I know that life can look fine on the outside, but not feel that way inside. We can feel overwhelmed by stress, sadness, grief, difficult relationships, a sense of stuckness, or a loss of a sense of self or meaning in life. Often, people think something is wrong with them if they find it hard to cope and need a little help to get back on track.
As someone who once searched the internet looking for a therapist I could truly trust, I understand how monumental this first step can be. Finding the right professional opened the door to a deeply rewarding new chapter in my life. Now, as a therapist myself, I am dedicated to offering that same safe, transformative environment to you. I look forward to supporting your journey.
Deciding to reach out and ask for help is not always easy, but taking that first step to feel better is both important and courageous. I understand that revealing yourself can be difficult and scary, yet also deeply liberating, because a story that has been told is a story that has been released.
Together, we can explore your inner world, understand how past experiences may be influencing you now, and discover new, healthier ways to cope with challenges and provide a path to freedom to make different choices.
Often, gaining insight into our feelings, thoughts or aspects of ourselves we want to hide helps develop greater understanding, self-acceptance and confidence.
A deep encounter
A connection grounded in openness, trust, and relationship — where you can better understand yourself by sharing your experiences with another person.
A safe space to pause
Somewhere to look at your experience with curiosity, attentiveness and kindness, free from judgment or pressure.
Body and mind
Listening not only to what can be named in words, but also to what is felt in the body — an important source of self-knowledge.
How I see therapy
I view therapy as a deep encounter, a connection grounded in mindfulness, trust, and relationship, where you can better understand yourself, your emotions, and your experiences by sharing them with another person.
At the heart of my work is a relational–integrative approach to therapy, which means building an authentic, respectful, and open relationship by mindfully accompanying another person as they discover and experience themselves—their individuality, uniqueness, and inner world.
I strongly believe that change becomes possible when we have a safe space to pause and look at our experience with curiosity, attentiveness and kindness.
I aim to offer a warm, compassionate relationship where curiosity is encouraged, where masks drop off, and you can be your true self, free from judgment or pressure. I believe everyone has the potential to overcome difficulties and crises and live the life they desire.
Working together
While working together, we can make meaning of your internal struggles, increase your awareness of how past experiences have influenced your current self and identify unhelpful patterns of behaviour. This awareness can become a cornerstone of increased self-belief and your ability to move forward in life.
We focus primarily on what you are experiencing here and now—your emotions, feelings, and how you experience different situations —and explore how they connect to your past experiences. Paying close attention to these experiences helps you better understand yourself, your needs, and your patterns of responding.
Core professional philosophy
Holistic and integrative
Drawing from humanistic, psychodynamic, existential, and body-oriented approaches.
Trauma-informed
Grounded in a nuanced understanding of how trauma shapes identity, resilience, and relational patterns.
Culturally attuned
Informed by research and practice with diverse populations, including migrants, refugees, and survivors of complex trauma.
Relationally centred
Placing the therapeutic alliance at the heart of the healing process.
People I work with
I work with adults experiencing crises, emotional difficulties, and relationship problems, as well as those who wish to better understand themselves and consciously shape their lives. I tailor every therapeutic process to the individual needs and circumstances of the person I work with.
Having experienced my own period of transition and reflection, I deepened my understanding of identity shifts, emotional load, and how easily we can move away from ourselves while caring for others. This led me to become passionate about assisting women with struggles around femininity, intimate relationships, parenting, health, work stress, and multicultural concerns, as well as supporting men in understanding and navigating difficulties with their female partners’ issues.
Examples of what we can explore together
Feeling overwhelmed or stuck
Stress, sadness and low mood
Grief and loss
Difficult relationships
A lost sense of self or meaning
Crises and emotional difficulties
Women's health and life transitions
Femininity and intimate relationships
Parenting and parent–child relationships
Work stress
Multicultural concerns
Childhood trauma and family change
Empty nest syndrome
Students and trainees
Taking the step to feel better is both important and courageous
How we begin
We begin psychotherapy with a free 20 min consultation session. This is a time when we can get to know each other better and calmly explore what brings you here. We talk about your life story, your difficulties, your needs, and your expectations of psychotherapy.
After this stage, I share my understanding of your situation and propose further therapeutic work. If we both feel that the time is right to begin psychotherapy, we jointly establish its goals and the way we will work together.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if counselling is right for me?
You don't need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to benefit from counselling. People seek therapy for many different reasons, including feeling overwhelmed, anxious or low, experiencing relationship difficulties, navigating life changes, or simply wanting a safe space to understand themselves better. If you're unsure, an initial conversation can help you decide whether counselling feels appropriate for you.
How often would I have counselling sessions?
Most clients attend weekly sessions, as regularity can help create continuity and momentum. However, we can discuss the frequency based on your circumstances, needs, and preferences.
How many counselling sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number of sessions that applies to everyone. Some people find a short period of counselling helpful, while others benefit from longer-term support. We can regularly review how therapy is going and what feels right for you.
Is counselling confidential?
Yes. What you share in counselling is treated with respect and confidentiality, within the professional and ethical guidelines that apply to counselling practice. There are some important limits to confidentiality, which we will explain clearly at the beginning of our work together.
Will you give me advice or tell me what to do?
Counselling isn't about being told what decisions to make. Instead, I will work collaboratively with you to explore your thoughts, feelings, experiences and options. The aim is to help you develop greater understanding and make choices that feel right for you.
What if I don't know what to talk about?
That's completely okay. You don't need to arrive with a prepared list of topics. We can start wherever feels most comfortable and take things at a pace that works for you.
What happens if I need to cancel or rearrange an appointment?
Please provide 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel or rearrange a session. Appointments cancelled with less than the required notice will be charged at the full session rate.
Can I have an initial consultation before committing to counselling?
Yes. An initial consultation gives us an opportunity to discuss what you're looking for, answer any questions you have and consider whether working together feels like a good fit. There is no obligation to continue.
What if we don't feel like we're a good fit?
The relationship between counsellor and client is an important part of therapy. If it doesn't feel like the right fit, we can discuss it openly and respectfully. Finding the right support for you is more important than continuing with someone who doesn't feel suitable.
Get in touch
If you'd like to arrange an initial consultation or have any questions, please get in touch. You can contact me by phone, email or by completing the form below. Together we can discuss an approach which best fits your needs, whether you would like to meet in person or online.
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