You can simply be yourself.
Perhaps you keep finding yourself in the same kinds of relationships.
Perhaps setting boundaries feels difficult, or you regularly put other people's needs before your own.
Perhaps you're recovering from a painful relationship, navigating a significant life transition, or trying to understand who you are and what you truly want from life.
Perhaps you feel caught between different roles, expectations, or parts of your identity.
Or perhaps you've simply lost touch with yourself.
Whatever brings you here, our work together offers a space to explore these experiences with curiosity, compassion and without judgement.
I aim to create a therapeutic relationship where you feel safe, heard, understood and accepted—without feeling you need to be anyone other than yourself.
Not sure whether I'm the right therapist for you?
Finding the right therapist is an important part of the process.
That's why I offer a free 15-minute online introductory call.
It's an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what brings you here, and explore whether we'd feel comfortable working together.
There's no obligation to continue afterwards.
You may find my practice a good fit if you...
- often put other people's needs before your own
- find yourself repeating the same relationship patterns
- are recovering from a difficult relationship or separation
- struggle with self-esteem or self-criticism
- feel that different parts of your identity are in conflict
- are looking for an LGBTQ+ affirming therapeutic space
- are navigating an important life transition
- want to build a deeper and more authentic relationship with yourself
You don't need to have everything figured out.
You don't need to know where to begin.
You only need to take the first step.
Together, we can explore whatever feels confusing, painful or difficult—at a pace that feels right for you.
About Me
I'm Milena Stoilova, and I'm glad you've found your way here.
Choosing a therapist can feel like a significant decision. Often, what matters most isn't a list of qualifications, but whether you feel understood, accepted and comfortable enough to speak openly.
At the same time, I believe trust grows through openness, so I'd like to tell you a little about my professional background.
I hold a BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Professional Development from Brunel University London.
I later completed a Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB) at North West London Counselling Training (NWLCT). The programme is accredited by CPCAB and approved by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I also hold the BACP Certificate of Proficiency.
My work is integrative, drawing primarily on the person-centered and psychodynamic approaches. Rather than following a single model, I adapt my way of working to each person's individual needs and circumstances.
I'm committed to ongoing professional development through regular supervision, further training and reflective practice.
My particular areas of interest include identity, self-esteem, relationships, attachment, intimacy and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy.
Having lived and studied in the UK, I also have a particular interest in working with people whose lives span different countries, cultures and identities.
Above all, I believe everyone deserves a space where they can feel heard without judgement, explore their inner world freely, and develop a deeper relationship with themselves.
To me, therapy isn't about someone telling you how to live your life.
It's a collaborative process of understanding yourself more deeply, making sense of your experiences, and creating meaningful, lasting change.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Professional Development
Brunel University London
Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB)
North West London Counselling Training (NWLCT)
BACP Certificate of Proficiency
Integrative approach
I integrate the person-centered and psychodynamic approaches, depending on the person's individual needs.
Special interests
identity, self-esteem, relationships, attachment, intimacy and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy
How I Can Help
Relationships, Attachment & Intimacy
Our relationships are among the most meaningful parts of our lives.
They can be a source of love, security and connection, but they can also bring pain, confusion and patterns that seem to repeat themselves.
Perhaps you find yourself drawn to similar relationships time and time again.
Perhaps you fear being abandoned.
Perhaps setting boundaries feels difficult.
Perhaps you give far more than you receive.
Or perhaps you keep wondering why the same relationship dynamics continue to appear in your life.
This space can help you understand these patterns and where they may have come from.
The way we relate to others is often shaped by our earliest relationships and experiences. Without realising it, we can carry old fears, expectations and ways of coping into our relationships today.
Together, we may explore themes such as:
- Romantic relationships
- Trust and vulnerability
- Attachment patterns
- Fear of abandonment
- Emotional dependency
- Separation and loss
- Healing after a painful relationship
- Infidelity
- Intimacy and sexuality
- Communication and conflict
- Boundaries
- Loneliness and a sense of not belonging
My role isn't to tell you what a relationship should look like.
Instead, we'll work together to understand what's important to you, what's getting in the way of fulfilling relationships, and how you can begin to build connections in which you feel safe, respected and genuinely yourself.
Healthy relationships with others begin with a healthier relationship with ourselves.
Self-Esteem & Your Relationship with Yourself
Many of us are far kinder to other people than we are to ourselves.
The way we speak to ourselves is often harsher than we would ever speak to someone we love.
Together, we can explore low self-esteem, self-criticism, guilt, shame, perfectionism, difficulties with boundaries, body image and the relationship you have with yourself.
The goal isn't to become a "better" or "perfect" version of yourself.
It's to develop a more compassionate, realistic and supportive relationship with who you already are.
Identity & Authenticity
At some point, many people find themselves asking:
"Who am I, really?"
The therapeutic process can offer space for self-exploration during times of change, uncertainty or feeling disconnected from yourself.
Sometimes the most meaningful change isn't becoming someone different.
It's allowing yourself to become more fully who you've always been.
LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy
I offer an LGBTQ+ affirming therapeutic space where you don't have to explain, defend or justify your identity.
Together, we may explore:
- Self-acceptance
- Identity
- Relationships
- Coming out
- Family relationships and challenges
- Minority stress
- Building a life that feels authentic to who you are
Motherhood & Life Roles
Motherhood can bring immense love and fulfilment.
It can also bring exhaustion, guilt, loneliness and a gradual sense of losing touch with yourself.
Many women become so used to caring for everyone else that there's little room left for their own needs.
Our sessions offer a space to explore the changes that come with motherhood, feelings of overwhelm or guilt, and the challenge of balancing different roles in your life.
Sometimes, while caring for everyone else, the person who most needs your care is you.
My Approach
An Integrative Approach
I don't believe there's a single therapeutic approach that's right for everyone.
Each person brings their own story, experiences and way of making sense of the world.
That's why I work integratively, drawing primarily on the person-centered and psychodynamic approaches while adapting my work to your individual needs.
Together, we'll pay attention not only to what's happening in your life today, but also to how earlier experiences, significant relationships and life events may continue to shape the way you think, feel and relate to yourself and others.
Person-Centered Therapy
At the heart of our work is you.
I believe every person has an innate capacity for growth, change and deeper self-understanding.
My role isn't to offer advice or tell you how to live your life.
Instead, I aim to create a space where you feel safe enough to explore your thoughts, emotions and experiences openly, at your own pace.
When people feel genuinely heard, understood and accepted, they often begin to discover their own answers and move towards the changes that feel right for them.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Sometimes we find ourselves reacting in ways that don't fully make sense, even to ourselves.
We may notice familiar relationship patterns repeating, or experience emotions that seem stronger than the present situation alone can explain.
A psychodynamic perspective helps us understand how earlier relationships and life experiences may continue to influence us outside of our awareness.
Bringing these patterns into awareness is often the first step towards meaningful and lasting change.
Will You Give Me Advice?
This is one of the questions I'm asked most often.
The short answer is no.
Rather than giving advice, I aim to help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and discover your own way forward.
I believe the most lasting change comes from insight that develops within you, rather than from someone else telling you what to do.
My role is to offer a thoughtful, supportive and professionally grounded space where that process can unfold.
What Can I Expect from Therapy?
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and explore what has brought you here.
We'll talk about the difficulties you're experiencing, what you're hoping to gain from our work together, and whether you feel like I am the right therapist for you.
There's no need to prepare beforehand or know exactly what to say.
Many people arrive feeling unsure where to begin.
That's completely okay.
Sessions last 50 minutes and are usually held once a week at an agreed day and time.
Everyone's journey is different.
Some people come for a few months to focus on a particular difficulty, while others choose longer-term work to explore deeper themes such as identity, relationships and personal growth.
The length of our work together will always depend on your individual needs, goals and what feels right for you.
Your First Session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to meet and begin exploring what has brought you to therapy.
We'll talk about the difficulties you're experiencing, what you're hoping to gain from therapy, and whether you feel like I am the right therapist for you.
There's no need to prepare beforehand or know exactly what you want to say.
Many people come to their first session feeling unsure where to begin.
That's completely normal.
The session is simply a space to begin exploring whatever feels important to you.
Sessions last 50 minutes and take place online via Google Meet or another agreed secure video platform.
You May Recognise Yourself Here If...
Every person who comes to therapy brings a unique story.
For that reason, I don't believe people can be neatly placed into categories.
Over the years, however, I've noticed that certain experiences and themes naturally appear more often in my work.
Perhaps you'll recognise yourself in one of them.
People Recovering from Painful Relationships
Perhaps you've been in a relationship where, over time, you lost touch with yourself.
Perhaps you became used to putting someone else's needs before your own.
Perhaps you're trying to understand how you found yourself in that relationship—and why similar patterns keep repeating.
Our work together can help you rebuild trust in yourself, reconnect with your own needs, and begin creating relationships where you feel respected, secure and able to be yourself.
People Struggling with Self-Esteem & Self-Criticism
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, conscientious and deeply caring.
Yet they're often far harder on themselves than they would ever be on someone else.
Perhaps you constantly doubt yourself.
Perhaps you never feel good enough.
Perhaps you feel guilty whenever you put your own needs first.
Together, we can explore where these beliefs come from and begin developing a kinder, more compassionate relationship with yourself.
LGBTQ+ Clients
I have a particular interest in working with LGBTQ+ clients and in creating an affirming space where you don't need to explain or defend who you are.
Together, we may explore:
- Self-acceptance
- Identity
- Relationships
- Coming out
- Family conflict
- Minority stress
- Living more authentically
People Exploring Who They Are
Sometimes the difficulty isn't a specific problem.
Sometimes it's the feeling that you've become disconnected from yourself.
Perhaps you've spent years living according to other people's expectations.
Perhaps you've become who others needed you to be.
Or perhaps you simply no longer feel connected to yourself.
The therapeutic process offers a space to explore these questions without pressure and without needing to have all the answers from the very beginning.
Women Carrying the Weight of Everything
Many women live with the feeling that they have to hold everything together.
To be a good mother.
A good partner.
A good daughter.
A good professional.
And somewhere along the way, they place themselves last.
Over time, this can lead to exhaustion, guilt and losing sight of what you need yourself.
I work with women who want to find a healthier balance between life's many roles while building a more compassionate relationship with their own needs.
People Living Between Countries & Cultures
Having lived and studied in the UK myself, I have a particular interest in working with people whose lives span different countries, cultures and ways of living.
Perhaps you're living abroad.
Perhaps you've recently returned to your home country.
Or perhaps you've reached a point where you no longer feel that you fully belong anywhere.
These experiences can be deeply enriching—but they can also feel lonely and emotionally complex.
Our sessions offer a space to explore questions of identity, belonging, home and what those ideas mean to you personally.
Fees & Conditions
Individual Online Therapy (50 minutes)
The fee is the same for sessions in both English and Bulgarian.
I believe that therapy should be as accessible as possible.
For this reason, I reserve a limited number of reduced-fee spaces for people experiencing financial difficulties.
If cost is preventing you from starting therapy, please feel free to get in touch. We can discuss whether a reduced-fee space may be available.
Online Sessions
All sessions take place online via Google Meet or another secure video platform agreed in advance. Sessions usually take place on the same day and at the same time each week.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Payment is made in advance using an agreed payment method.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let me know at least 24 hours in advance.
Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice may be charged in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
If you feel I might be the right therapist for you, I'd be pleased to hear from you.
You don't need to know exactly what to say or where to begin.
Taking the first step is enough.
Free 15-Minute Introductory Call
Choosing a therapist is an important decision, and it's completely natural to want to find someone you feel comfortable with before beginning therapy.
If you're unsure whether therapy is right for you, or if you have questions about how I work, I offer a free 15-minute online introductory call.
This isn't a therapy session.
It's simply an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what has brought you here, and explore whether working together feels right for you.
There's absolutely no obligation to continue with therapy afterwards.
The aim is to help you make an informed decision and feel more confident about your next step.
I'd be honoured to support you as you move towards greater self-understanding, clarity and more fulfilling relationships.