Emiliya Tsaneva

As a therapist I adjust my approach to the needs of the person I work with and what would benefit them the most. Sometimes I stay more in the background and keep the space for them when they need to let it all out. At other times I take a more active approach and ask a lot of questions so that we gain more clarity and understanding of what's going on. I support the person in choosing their next step themselves and sometimes I might give some suggestions or examples as well. I am also open to answering questions and explaining how different processes work if this is what is needed. During the session, we often check in with what emotions come up as the person shares something or what sensations one has in the body. Sometimes we do some experiments or test out new behavior. I am also a big fan of homework: it might be to test out a new behavior in real life, to do some research, to write something, to read an article or a book, or to watch a video or even a movie. With the people I work with, I don't see myself as the expert, who knows everything better and has all the answers. On the contrary, in working together we can create the support and solutions, which work best for the individual. I love Gestalt psychotherapy because it gives people the chance to connect to themselves, their needs, and what makes them feel alive. It lets them experiment, connect with others, and set healthy boundaries. I believe that a healthy mind and a healthy body go hand in hand, this is why a holistic approach is always important. I don't believe that people are broken and need to be repaired. People adjust to situations and the environment the best way they can and sometimes get stuck in this adjustment, even though the hard situation is already gone. I believe that we are here to learn and enjoy, although each of us has our difficulties in life.

2018 until today - working as a Gestalt consultant and psychotherapist at my private practice. 2014 until today - as part of my project Healthy-Story, I have been giving online and live lectures on self-care, body positivity, support in cases of eating disorders, depression, and others. 2019-2022 - facilitated online and live support groups for eating disorders in Bulgaria 2016-2019 - facilitated online support groups for eating disorders within the Irish Association BodyWhys 2015 - internship in group psychotherapy at the Live Change Health Institute in Dublin, Ireland.

2024-2025 - taking part in advanced training on working with psychopathology at the Italian Institute for Gestalt Therapy 2022 - graduated from the advanced training on working with trauma and addiction of the American In-sight Therapy group with Rafael Cortina 2020 - graduated from the Gestalt Psychotherapy Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria 2016 - graduated with my master's in Psychology at the University of Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria 2013 - graduated as a yoga teacher at the National Sports Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria 2012 - graduated Arabic Studies at the University of Sofia, Bulgaria 2007 - graduated the foreign language high school in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, with German and French