“Healing begins when mind and heart meet.”
At Open Heart, we provide a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
At Open Heart, we provide a safe, compassionate space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment.
My name is Ilva Mehmedaj, originally from Albania, I moved to the UK over 10 years ago. This transition was not easy at all for me. Becoming a mum in my twenties while holding on to big dreams while navigating life’s challenges was one of the most demanding chapters of my journey. Along the way, I endured some of life’s deepest heartbreak, the loss of my father and the heavy, unspoken weight of childhood trauma that I carried silently for years.
Through therapy and my studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I learned how transformative it is to talk about the things we often keep hidden. Many of us believe that sharing with a friend or family member is enough, but while their love and sympathy matter, they cannot replace the professional support needed to truly heal and make a change.
After completing my training and working with clients facing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, trauma, abuse, relationship challenges, addiction, etc, I founded Open Heart Counselling , a practice built on compassion, understanding, and the belief that healing begins when mind and heart meet.
My work has been shaped by several years of practice in both educational and specialist therapeutic settings, allowing me to understand the unique pressures faced by different age groups and communities.
I work extensively with young people aged 16 and over within a college counselling service. This experience has strengthened my ability to create a safe, trusting space where students feel comfortable exploring issues such as academic stress, relationships, identity, future plans, low confidence, and family dynamics.
Working in this environment for more than 2 years has helped me develop a grounded understanding of the challenges young people face today, and I am passionate about empowering them to build resilience, self-awareness, and emotional wellbeing.
I also have over two years of experience working in a specialist trauma centre, where I supported clients who had experienced significant and complex trauma. Through this work, I developed trauma-informed practice, including grounding techniques, emotional regulation support, and an emphasis on safety and agency.
Supporting clients through long-term healing has given me deep insight into how trauma impacts the mind, body, and relationships and how compassionate, consistent therapeutic support can make meaningful change.
Additionally, I have worked with asylum seekers and refugees, offering support to individuals navigating extremely stressful and uncertain circumstances. I am aware of the emotional, psychological, and cultural challenges that arise from displacement, loss, legal processes, and social isolation.
This work has strengthened my cultural sensitivity, empathy, and ability to support clients experiencing anxiety, trauma, and the ongoing impact of instability.
Across all my roles, I work in a warm, non-judgmental, and collaborative way. I believe that every client brings their own strengths and inner resources, and my role is to help them reconnect with those, understand their experiences, and find healthier ways forward.
My mission is to create a safe space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions without judgment, reconnect with yourself, and find the strength to move forward with a change.
Under the BACP ethical framework, I am committed to providing professional, confidential, and empathetic support for every client.
At Open Heart Counselling, we provide integrative therapy, which means we draw from different therapeutic approaches to meet your unique needs. Every person is different, and what works for one may not work for another. By combining methods such as Person-Centered Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we create a tailored approach that supports your healing journey.
Why integrative counselling?
Because connection matters. As a therapist, I believe
that understanding and flexibility help build a strong therapeutic relationship, the foundation for
meaningful change.
We offer a confidential, supportive space for adults to explore their personal challenges, gain clarity, and create meaningful change at their own pace
Supporting young people through life’s challenges.
We support partners to communicate more openly, resolve recurring conflicts, and strengthen trust and intimacy at a pace that feels respectful to both of you.
Family therapy provides a supportive space for families to improve communication, understand one another more deeply, and work through challenges together.
Compassionate care for those navigating complex transitions (please contact us to discuss this service).
Your therapeutic journey with clarity and care.
Online or face-to-face
50 minutes per session
£100 per session (adjustments can be discussed in certain circumstances)
Before starting therapy, we hold an assessment session to discuss your needs, confidentiality, and safeguarding procedures.