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Valia Chatzichristou | Therapy for Life Beyond the Usual Milestones
Humanist, trauma- and grief-informed support for thoughtful outsiders

Not every life looks like the one we were told to expect. For some, it’s not having children by choice, chance, or a mix of both. For others, it’s becoming a parent and quietly grieving the parts of themselves they left behind. And for many, it’s simply waking up one day and thinking: I didn’t imagine it would feel like this.

If your life doesn’t follow the usual script of marriage, children, and career ladders, you may carry quiet griefs, unanswered questions, or a sense of not-quite-belonging.

I help thoughtful, sensitive adults navigate the quiet griefs of life; the paths not taken, the identities that didn’t fit, the roles they were never meant for. It’s not always a crisis. Sometimes it’s more of a quiet unease: a sense of being out of step, carrying questions that are hard to name, or wondering why life looks fine on the outside but doesn’t feel that way inside.

You might catch yourself asking:

  • Where do I belong if I’m not following the usual map of marriage, children, or career ladders?
  • How do I make peace with the life I actually have, instead of the one I thought I’d have?
  • Everyone else seems to be moving forward so why do I feel stuck?
  • Do I have to be doing something “amazing” to justify my choices?
  • What would it take to feel more like myself again?

I work with people whose lives don’t quite fit into the usual boxes. Many of my clients are thoughtful, curious, creative, or a little bit rebellious in spirit. Some are childfree, some are parents who feel they’ve lost themselves along the way, and many are people who simply want space to make sense of their story without judgment.

Together, we look at the griefs that don’t always have names, the identities that never quite landed, and the quiet strength in living differently.

I’m a BACP-accredited therapist, fully insured and DBS checked, with years of experience in NHS talking therapies where I continue to work part-time. I hold a qualification in Counselling for Depression and have a strong background in grief work. My approach is warm and humanist, informed by trauma, neurodivergence, and a deep belief in the healing power of honest connection. I also hold a BA in Music and sometimes bring creative tools into sessions when words aren’t enough.

If you’re ready for a space where you don’t have to fit a mould and where your questions, doubts, and hopes are welcome then do get in touch, I’d love to hear from you.

I offer therapy on both a short-term and long-term basis, with sessions available weekly or every two weeks.

To help you get a feel for how we might work together, I provide a free 15-minute phone or video consultation where you can ask questions and learn more about what to expect.

“Individuals considered authentic are those who generally strive to align their actions with their core values and beliefs with the hope of discovering, and then acting in sync with, their true selves.”