Counsellor in London | Anastasia Balandina

English and Russian-speaking | Online

Welcome

My name is Anastasia Balandina, and I am a qualified counsellor in London.

I have 3 years of experience counselling online. I create a safe and supportive space in my work. At my practice, you will never face judgment or misunderstanding. Together, we will work through anxiety and burnout, navigate the challenges of living abroad, and overcome financial stress and insecurity.

I offer therapy sessions in both Russian and English. If you are an English-speaking or Russian-speaking resident in the UK — especially if you live in London and are seeking emotional support, guidance, or a safe and confidential space to talk — I am here to help.

Enquire

Integrative Therapy

I trained in an integrative therapeutic approach, having completed my studies at the Higher School of Psychology at the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2024.

The integrative approach is particularly meaningful to me because it brings together insights from multiple therapeutic schools and methods. This allows me to tailor our work to your unique needs, choosing the most effective style and direction for your personal growth, emotional well-being, and healing.

If you would like to learn more about integrative therapy and how it works, please visit the “Integrative Approach” page.

Areas I Work In

Adapting to Life in a New Country – challenges with integration, loneliness, and culture shock.

Career and Work-Related Issues – job changes, workplace stress, and imposter syndrome.

Navigating Life Changes – coping with redundancy, exploring a new career path, or relocating to a new city or country.

Building Healthy Relationships – understanding attachment patterns, setting personal boundaries, and improving communication.

Overcoming Financial Anxiety – fear of spending, money-related guilt, and stress about financial security.

How We Work Together

I am based in London, and all sessions take place online. My clients live in many different locations — including the UK, Sweden, Moldova, and Russia. If you would like an in-person session, please mention this in your message.

To check current availability and book a session, please contact me. If you would like an in-person session, please mention this in your message.

FAQ

I mainly see my clients online.
For our online sessions, we can meet using any platform convenient to you: WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Meet.
I will share my bank details and accept payment in GBP, EUR and RUB.
I will send you all the necessary information ahead of our first session, including a therapeutic contract.
During our first meeting, we will get to know each other and clarify your request and goals. This will help you understand my therapeutic approach and decide whether you’d like to continue working together.
If we both decide to proceed, I will go over the therapeutic agreement with you — the guidelines for our work — and ask you to sign it before I sign it myself.
We will also schedule the day and time of our next session.
No, it’s enough if you have an idea of the topic you’d like to focus on. We will clarify and refine your request together as we work.
I hold two degrees.
My primary qualification in psychology comes from the Higher School of Psychology at the Russian Academy of Sciences, where I completed professional retraining as a counselling psychologist, as well as advanced training in integrative psychology. I am also currently training at The Gestalt Centre in London.
My first (non-psychology) education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) and a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick in the UK.
Yes, I am an affiliate member of the Russian Professional Psychotherapeutic League (OPPL).
Although I am not yet a member of any UK-based organisations, my approach fully aligns with the ethical standards of private practice in Europe.
I am fluent in both English and Russian, so the sessions can be in either of these two languages.