Registered Clinical Counsellor | Psychotherapist
Allied Health Professional

I work with people whose stories have been stollen, changed with no consent, deleted or even erased. I work with individuals who might struggle with the complexities and uncertainties of life.These experiences may feel elusive, messy or chaotic, silently eroding key areas of our existence, slowly draining life from colours and flow. Over time, a life with no colour and flow could impact our overall sense of wellbeing.

This might lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, feeling disconnected from your self and from the world; it could also look like what some call 'personality disorder', complex trauma.

Why Sfumato? – Sfumato was one of the models of painting during the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci described it as “without lines or borders, in the matters of smoke or beyond the focus plane”.

Sfumato Psychotherapy reflects this principle – what wishes to be seen is beyond the daily focus. In the sfumato of life, the healing figures of our imagination hide by day and walk by night; they speak when we lose ourselves in play in order to be found again.

Vassilka Dimitrova

Approach

  • The process

    There is deep wisdom in each one of us. However, stress, life challenges and trauma, as well as existential issues, or ongoing stress, all leave their impact on us and undermine our wisdom and deep knowing. According to relational neurobiology, we have evolved to anticipate to be in a 'warm nest' of human connection and anything less we experience as a violation of this. We all need to feel safe before we learn, and before we heal.

    Sometimes it seems as if we have forgotten how to read the music of life and live as if we don't know that we are a part of that symphony. However, without that one note (you), the entire symphony will change; it is as when removing just one star from the sky changes all the constellations across the galaxies.

    I see healing as deeply creative process occurring within the therapeutic relationship, involving both client and therapist, and then - carried out into life. I am interested in what happened to you, but also in what didn't happen. I welcome painful stories, I also welcome your interests, passions, and dreams, and what motivates you to get up every single day.

  • My experiences and interests

    My interest in the human condition began when I was 9 years old. Gradually I became interested in world literature, stories, myths and legends, world cinematography and theatre. In fact, I think art and literature have a lot to teach us about human psychology and behaviour; dreaming and the ability to create something from ... nothing.

    Many years passed.
    I began my formal training in counselling and psychotherapy in 2008. Since then, I have attended many professional development workshops and courses, short and long term. I am experienced in working with people presenting with Complex Trauma and related issues, such as BPD, other mental health concerns, domestic and family violence, addictions, etc.

    Research interests
    I have strong interest in the life of the dream, creativity, and play, as well as in the absence of the same.

  • Qualifications & accreditation

    Relevant Qualifications:
    * MCAP (Applied Psychotherapy), Jansen Newman Institute
    * Grad Cert Counselling, Australian College of Applied Professionals

    Other related training:
    * Sandplay Therapy, Sandplay Therapy Association of NZ and Australia (tuition)
    * Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Integrated Listening Systems
    * Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
    * Working with adults who have been abused as children
    * NDIS orientation module
    * Working with sexual abuse
    * Focusing Psychotherapy
    * Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    * Trauma and Couples Counselling
    * Body Wisdom
    * DBT Skills

    Other Qualifications:
    * MA Creative Writing, University of New South Wells
    * BA Theatre (Rhetoric), National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts "Krustyo Saratov", Sofia Bulgaria

    Memberships:
    * Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (Registered Clinical)
    * The International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy
    * The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (Affiliate)
    * Group Relations Australia

  • In emergency

    If you find yourself in a crisis situation, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

    If your life (or that of another) is in an immediate danger, please dial 000.

    Free telephone counselling and support services:

    * NSW Rape Crisis: 1800 424 017
    * DFV and Sexual violence: 1800 737 732
    * Kids Helpline: 1800 55 180
    * Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
    * Mensline: 1300 789 978