Dr Irene M C Soldavini
INDIVIDUAL and RELATIONSHIPS COUNSELLOR
You may be feeling stuck, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected from yourself or others, or facing a difficult life transition. Perhaps you find yourself repeating the same patterns in relationships, struggling with self-criticism, or carrying feelings that are hard to make sense of alone.
I offer a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace. Together, we can explore what is holding you back, develop greater self-understanding, and help you build more fulfilling relationships, increased confidence, and a stronger sense of direction.
I am a registered BACP counsellor and couples therapist. I believe that every person is unique. I tailor therapy to your individual needs, goals and circumstances. My role is to work alongside you, helping to navigate challenges while respecting your values, experiences and personal journey.
My background is in anthropology, which has given me a deep appreciation of the complexities of human relationships, identity, culture, and personal experience. This perspective enriches my therapeutic work and helps me support clients from diverse backgrounds with sensitivity and understanding.
I specialise in pluralistic counselling, an integrative and collaborative approach which draws on a range of therapeutic methods. My work is informed by existential psychotherapy, Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT), and psychodynamic therapy. These approaches help clients to develop a greater self-understanding, self-compassion, resilience, and a stronger sense of meaning and purpose.
Online Counselling in English and Italian
I offer online counselling sessions via ZOOM, providing a flexible and accessible way to support from the comfort of your own space.
Sessions are available in English and Italian. I offer short and long-term counselling.
Walk and Talk Therapy
I offer walk-and-talk therapy in the Edinburgh area of Leith.
Taking the First Step
Finding the right therapist is important. If you would like to arrange an initial conversation or have any questions about how I work, please get in touch. I would be happy to discuss whether therapy with me feels the right fit for you.
I offer a warm, professional, and compassionate space where your experiences can be heard and understood.
The title "Dr" denotes an academic qualification, not a medical one.
© Georgia O'Keeffe
© Georgia O'Keeffe
AWARENESS, COMPASSION, INCLUSIVENESS
A NON-JUDGEMENTAL SPACE FOR A MEANINGFUL EXPLORATION OF COMPLEXITIES
AREAS OF INTEREST
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Anxiety
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Bereavement
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Consensual non-monogamous relationships
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Couple counselling
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Death and living losses
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Diasporic issues
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Displacement
- Epistemic, Hermeneutic, and Testimonial Injustice
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Gender, Sexual, and Relationship Diversity (GSRD)
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Grief
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Hoarding
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Identity
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Isolation
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LGTBQIA+
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Loneliness
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Losses
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Politics
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Polyamory
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Sex workers affirmative therapy
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Unconventional lifestyles
INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING
My practice provides an inclusive and compassionate approach to helping individuals through emotional complexities. My areas of interest include anxiety, bereavement, death and non-death related losses, identity issues, binary and non-binary genders, and unconventional lifestyles and sexuality.
I provide a non-judgemental environment where individuals can explore their feelings and experiences. I aim to help people better understand themselves and create a therapeutic space to find their own path and feel empowered.
RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING
I specialize in existential and pluralistic relationship counselling. I provide a tailored environment for people of all lifestyles and backgrounds. My services include support for those who practice consensual non-monogamous relationships, polyamory, and other unconventional lifestyles (GSRD). I understand the importance of creating an inclusive and empowering space for clients. My approach is empathic and inclusive.
Professional summary
QUALIFICATIONS
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BA Anthropology and Communication, Goldsmiths University of London
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MA Anthropology of Media, SOAS University of London
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PhD Anthropology and Film Studies, SOAS University of London
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Diploma in Couple Counselling, Relationships Scotland
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Foundation Course in Core Process Psychotherapy, Karuna Institute
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MSc in Existential Psychotherapy, New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (ongoing)
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Introduction to Compassionate Focus Therapy, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
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Compassion Focus Therapy for Grief, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
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Compassionate Focus Therapy for Hoarding, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
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Compassionate Focus Therapy Conference, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
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Introduction to Walk and Talk therapy.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
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BACP registered member number 398713
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UPCA trainee member
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Member of the Society for Existential Analysis (SEA)
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Member of the British Society for Phenomenology (BSP)
EXPERIENCE IN COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY:
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Counsellor/psychotherapist in private practice
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I worked as a counsellor/psychotherapist at
an LGBT Edinburgh-based counselling service
a relationship counselling service in Argyll and Glasgow
a low-cost counselling service based in London
a low-cost counselling service in Edinburgh
© Georgia O'Keeffe
"The ultimate goal of therapy ... it's too hard a question. The words come to me like tranquility, like fulfillment, like realizing your potential. Things that Freud used to say; being able to work and to love, that's pretty good summary of it right there. But mainly it's this idea I tried to explain ... you have to develop a separate new therapy for every single client. So for some clients the goal will be this and for some the goal will be that. For one client I have now the goal really is for him to be able to discuss some of his vulnerabilities with his wife and then have a real relationship between the two of them".
"Seven Questions for Irvin Yalom", Psychology Today, Mar. 25, 2009
Fees
Individual counselling: starting from GBP 80 per 50 minutes
Couple counselling: starting from GBP 160 per 50 minutes
I have a limited number of concession-rate spaces available at £65 per 50 minutes. If you believe you qualify for a concession rate, please get in touch.
For those earning above GBP 120K a year, a fee will be negotiated that you consider fairly represents your income.
Contact
