Individual counselling in Berlin and Online
Something keeps showing up - in your relationships, in how you feel about yourself, in the gap between who you are and who you think you should be. You may have tried to think your way through it. You seem to understand yourself but the pattern persists.
Individual counselling offers a space to go deeper than understanding alone. In sessions, we focus on the relational history, the early experiences, the ways you learned to cope. From there we can begin to create more space to these experiences.
I work with adults in Berlin and online, offering relational and attachment-focused counselling that is creative, meaningful, and adapted to your specific needs.
Who is individual counselling for?
People come to individual counselling for many different reasons. Some arrive with a clear sense of what they want to work on, others know something is wrong but can't quite name it yet.
Some of the most common themes I work with:
Relational work - patterns that repeat, difficulty with closeness or trust, conflict that goes in circles, the feeling of being disconnected even from people you love
Family patterns - understanding how your early experiences shaped the way you relate to yourself and others
Perfectionism and the inner critic - the pressure to perform, the fear of being exposed, the exhaustion of never quite being enough
Low self-worth - knowing your value intellectually but not quite feeling it, the felt sense of not deserving to take up space
Identity and sense of belonging - not quite fitting in, navigating life transitions, or trying to understand who you are outside the roles you've always played
Expat/immigrant experience - living far from home, the particular loneliness of building a life in a culture that isn't yours
I also work with neurodivergent adults - particularly where these experiences of difference, masking, and chronic self-doubt intersect with how they relate to others and to themselves.
My approach to individual counselling
My work is relational and attachment-focused, which means we pay attention not just to what's happening in your life, but also to what happens between us. The core of the work is the therapeutic relationship where most important patterns tend to show up. This is where the potential for change starts from.
I draw on psychodynamic and family systems thinking to understand where patterns come from. I use ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to develop a different relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings, moving from less struggle to creating more space. Additionally, I bring in somatic and creative approaches, including music and imagery, where appropriate.
However, I don’t see these as fixed techniques but different ways of accessing the same thing. Having a more honest and compassionate understanding of yourself, and a greater capacity to live and relate to yourself and others, and in a way that works for you.
Arula Counselling integrates creative, psychodynamic, mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) approaches with a focus on neuro-affirming and trauma-informed care.
Creative and music-based approaches in individual counselling
Alongside talking, I may bring in music, imagery, and creative expression as part of the work, depending on your preferences and needs.
Some feelings, sensations, experiences may be more accessible through music or art, rather than words alone. Music can slow the nervous system, create space, and allow something to be felt rather than just understood. Imagery work can surface material that's hard to reach by talking alone. Neither requires any musical ability or artistic background. The importance is on the process, rather than the outcome.
What to expect from individual counselling with me
Sessions are 50 minutes, weekly, and take place either in person in Berlin or online. Online counselling works well for people based elsewhere in Europe, or who prefer the flexibility and comfort of their own home.
In sessions, I bring in honesty and warmth to the work. I'm not a blank screen but present and engaged and I take each therapeutic relationship seriously, as this is the core of the work . The pace of the sessions is yours, and we will take it at what feels manageable to you.
What people find through individual counselling
The work looks different for each person, depending where they are at at the time of coming to counselling. Some of what I notice most often from clients:
A shift from shame to understanding - beginning to see their history with more curiosity and less judgement
More awareness of patterns in relationships, and more choice about how to respond to them
A different relationship with the inner critic - less fused with it, more able to function alongside it
A greater sense of what they actually need - and more confidence in asking for it
The experience of being known by someone, without having to manage how they're perceived
However, these are not promised outcomes but rather, what becomes possible when the work gets deep and meaningful over time.
Getting started
I offer a free 20-minute consultation call before we begin. It's a chance to talk about what's bringing you to counselling, ask any questions you have, and get a sense of whether working together feels like a good fit.
If we decide to go ahead, we'll agree on a regular session time and take it from there. Most people find that weekly sessions work best, especially in the early stages.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer online counselling?
Yes, I work with clients online across Europe, as well as in person in Berlin. Online sessions take place via a secure video platform and work well for people who prefer the flexibility or who aren't based in Berlin.
How long does individual counselling take?
There is no fixed time period for counselling sessions. This looks different for every individual and depends on what you're bringing. Some find that six to twelve sessions gives them what they need, others prefer to work more longer term. We can discuss this in the initial consultation and review it as we go.
What's the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
In practice, the distinction is less significant than it might seem. Both involve a consistent therapeutic relationship, regular sessions, and work with emotions, patterns, and experience. I work in a psychotherapeutic, relational way with attention to depth and history. I am currently in process of completing my Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie qualification.
Do you work with neurodivergent adults?
Yes. I have particular experience working with neurodivergent adults - especially around the emotional and relational dimensions of the experience. This is a part of the my individual counselling sessions. I also run a 6-week ADHD workshop series for adults with ADHD.
What are your fees?
Please get in touch or visit the fees page for current session rates. I offer a small number of reduced-rate places for people who need them.
Please note: This is for educational purposes only and is not to substitute a therapeutic relationship with a mental health professional. If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 112 or your country's crisis line, where professional mental health workers can help you.