Philosophy & Vision
Complex Trauma could manifest in a variety of ways. Depression, Anxiety, PD, Dissociative and Psychotic features, rocky relationships, difficulties with keeping a job, mood disorders, suicidal thoughts - all could be the legacy of Complex Trauma. My approach is rooted in the Interpersonal Psychodynamic Framework, however I reach out to other modalities to meet your needs. I provide short - long term psychotherapy - depending on your presentation, your needs and goals.
Background
I work with adults presenting with various issues, such as Depression, Anxiety, PD, general mental health issues, DV, gambling - all of which could be the result of various forms of abuse, neglect, structural violence, or extreme stress - especially if it has been persistent and over a long period of time.
Services
In person and online sessions - depending on presentation.
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- MCAP (Applied Psychotherapy) - 2014 - Jansen Newman Institute
- Grad Cert Counselling Psychology - 2010 - ACAP
- Safe and Sound Protocol, Provider - 2023 - Unyte-iLs
- Creative Writing - 2004 - UNSW
- BA Theatre and Speech - 1995 - Sofia, Bulgaria
Modalities
ACT - Attachment Theory - Developmental - Dream Work - Integrative - Interpersonal - Person Centred - Psychodynamic - Trauma-Informed
Therapy Approach
My aim is to understand you in the context of your life. This includes what brings you to therapy, what motivates you, what's lacking or lagging, what your dreams are - dreams of the past, as well as dreams of the future.
This understanding of you, of your personality and of your life informs the interventions I might use. I could draw on modalities such as IFS, mindfulness. DBT skills, administering the Safe and Sound Protocol, yet my approach is relational and based on the psychodynamic framework.
I work in the short or long term psychotherapy, depending on your presentation and goals.
Professional Associations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia - Clinical
- International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
Practice Locations
Glebe NSW 2037
Appointments
Fri-Sat
Fees & Insurance
$140 per session
Rebates may apply for some Private Health Insurance.
Fees are due before or at the time of the session.
Languages
English
Bulgarian
Payment Options
* Direct Bank Deposit
* By card
* Cash
Contact Vassilka
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with Vassilka Dimitrova
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I have always been interested in understanding the human condition. All my endeavors, all my studies, and everything I've done is related to that. On reflection, it seems that our professions choose us.
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Existential and spiritual concerns are important to me. It seems everything else comes second ... or third; and what comes second or third is there to inform the first and through which the first is being expressed and lived.
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I think this is about remaining aware that the human journey is a ... journey. Often we think that we have to arrive at that 'special' place. I think that actually, we are already there, already here - in ourselves and we constantly arrive to ourselves. The process of remembering this is sometimes all the healing we need.
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My work is centred on psychodynamic framework and the trauma-informed principles. Additionally, to support my clients I also draw on a variety of other approaches. I use person-centered, IFS, narrative, DBT, mind-body and dreamwork.
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From the first session - something shifts.
Between sessions - when something just ... clicks.
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Well, what does 'better' mean? I think it is making me a fuller person as I too face my own challenges and limitations, which I have to address in order to continue.
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Seeing how someone transforms in front of my eyes. In fact, we transform each other; it's a mutual and shared experience.
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Yes, often, but I also have 'good hair' days. I appreciate and enjoy both states of my hair.
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The lack of meaning in the everyday existence, lack of experiencing the depth and beauty of being alive and of the process of living. It seems to me that we forget that life is a continuation and we are on that continuum. We are here because of those who lived before, and our lives will affect those who come after.
I think this 'forgetfulness' creates a lot of suffering and a feeling of loneliness in the world. -
This is a difficult question as there have been plenty of books, films, and other works of art that have influenced me and have inspired me over the years.
Some examples are the works of Akira Kurosawa, the cinematographic poetics of Andrei Tarkovski, Fellini, European and Korean films, Satyajit Ray, Anton Checkov, Turgenev, Vladimir Visotsky, Hesse, Michael Ondaatje, Yordan Radichkov, Yavorov, Ivan Vazov, Pasternak, arrangements of traditional music such as but not limited to the choir The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices; Last but not least - the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and other Fairy Tales of the world, myths and legends and other unusual artifacts.