Inés Olivares

I am a BACP Accredited therapist, and in my practice I work with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, family issues, loss, life transitions, and existential questions around meaning, identity and belonging.

How I Work
My main approach is psychodynamic, which means I am interested in understanding how past and present experiences connect. Our relationships, life experiences, and the ways we have learned to adapt can all influence how we see ourselves, other people, and the world around us.

Sometimes we can become caught in patterns that no longer seem to serve us, or find ourselves reacting in ways that are affecting our wellbeing, relationships, or ability to live in the way we would like. Exploring these experiences can help us understand ourselves more clearly and make sense of why certain difficulties keep showing up in our lives.

While psychodynamic therapy forms the foundation of my work, I practise integratively and draw on different approaches when helpful. This is informed by my previous training and ongoing professional development. I don't believe therapy should be about fitting yourself into a particular model. We are all different, and I believe therapy works best when it responds to who you are and what you need at that particular moment.

How Therapy Feels With Me
I believe therapy works best when you feel comfortable enough to bring your thoughts, feelings, doubts, and experiences into the (virtual) room without worrying about being judged. My aim is to create a space where you feel listened to, understood, and accepted for who you are.

At the same time, I tend to be an active therapist. I don't see therapy as a conversation where you are left to figure everything out on your own while I sit quietly in the background. I may offer reflections, share ideas, think out loud, or point to potential patterns that seem important. We can explore them together and decide whether they fit your experience.

Therapy is not one-size-fits-all. Some people need space to reflect, others benefit from more challenge or structure. My approach is flexible and shaped around the person sitting in front of me, while always keeping sight of what has brought them to therapy in the first place.

What People Often Gain From Therapy
Therapy is a very individual process, and what people take from it often depends on what brings them to therapy in the first place.

For some, that means feeling more confident in their decisions or relationships. For others, it means expressing emotions and needs more openly, feeling less alone in what they are carrying, or being able to face something that previously felt too difficult to approach.

Often, people find that they understand themselves more clearly and gain greater clarity about how they want to move forward in life. As they begin to make sense of their experiences, many also find that feelings of anxiety, low mood, or overwhelm begin to ease.

Getting in Touch
If you would like to find out more about working together, feel free to get in touch. We can arrange a free 30-minute consultation and see whether therapy with me feels like the right fit for you.