Justyna O'Connell

Perhaps you’re the person everyone relies on. You’re used to being capable, helpful and there for other people, but underneath you may feel anxious, exhausted or resentful. You might find it difficult to say no, worry about disappointing people or feel guilty when you put your own needs first. You may also be very hard on yourself. Perhaps you overthink conversations, worry about what other people think of you or feel that whatever you do is never quite good enough. These patterns can show up as anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem or difficulties in relationships, and you may understand some of them intellectually while still finding them difficult to change. I work with adults who want to understand these patterns more deeply. Together, we can explore how you have learned to relate to yourself and other people, where these ways of coping may have come from, and whether they are still serving you now. I am an integrative therapist and my approach is warm, relational and collaborative. My work is informed particularly by attachment theory, which means I am interested in how our earlier relationships and experiences can shape the way we see ourselves, respond to others and experience our relationships today. Therapy isn’t about telling you what to do or asking you to become a different person. It can offer a space to understand yourself with more curiosity and less criticism, begin to recognise what you need and feel more able to make choices that aren’t always shaped by other people’s expectations. I also work with people experiencing grief and significant life changes, including the transition into motherhood. I offer therapy in English and Polish, face-to-face in Hale and Altrincham and online across the UK. I am a qualified, BACP-registered counsellor and am currently completing an MA in Integrative Psychotherapy.