My name is Monika Bakonyi and I am an experienced counsellor working in South West London and Essex. All my life I have been curious about people and enjoyed working with them. I am a Hungarian who has lived in the UK for over 25 years. My original background is in academia and sports. I have worked with a wide variety of people, from children to older people. I have also worked with autistic children and children with physical disabilities. My counselling approach is based on my belief that by providing a safe and confidential space for my clients they can re-examine their life patterns and make new decisions. I am a firm believer in the possibility of change and the importance of choice in our lives. My role as a therapist is to support you, the client, on your journey of self-discovery. The modalities I apply are Transactional Analyses, Gestalt and Person Centred. I use Mindfulness techniques when appropriate with clients.

Initially, I would suggest to have a brief telephone conversation with you to make sure that I have experience in helping you with your problem. This is ethically fundamental to my practice. The first few sessions are devoted to "assessment", a simple process of getting to know each other and perhaps finding the aim of your therapy. We would always meet in the same room, a lovely airy space where I hope you would feel comfortable. Confidentiality is paramount in my work.

As a bilingual I am able to work with Hungarians. Due to my background in competitive sports, I have and enjoy working with sports people and can provide psychological support around performance anxiety, stress, goal setting etc.

I am a member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the Metanoia Institute (London). I have an experienced supervisor with whom I have a well established relationship.