Meet your Counsellor

Hello, I’m Ana
I am a counsellor supporting children, young people, and adults online. My aim is to provide a safe, supportive, and confidential space where you or your child can explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences at a pace that feels right. I believe everyone deserves to feel understood and accepted.

Ana Hristov, counsellor specialising in children and young people
Ana Hristov Therapy Logo - A simple graphic of a white flower with five rounded petals and a pale green center on a black background.

My Approach

I work in an integrative way, drawing on approaches that fit well together and using them actively in practice. This way, I am able to work dynamically and be theoretically informed while tailoring sessions to each client’s needs.

Person Centred Theory

Icon of a person with lines radiating outward, representing focus or attention.

I follow the lead of each client, offering empathy, acceptance, and space to explore at their own pace.

Attachment Theory 

Line drawing of two hands gently holding each other, outlined in pink.

I work relationally to build a secure base, helping clients experience trust and safety

Interpersonal Neurobiology

A thought cloud with a single line connecting to a tangled, looping line on a black background.

I stay mindful of how the brain and body respond to stress and relationships. In practice, this means using awareness and co-regulation to support resilience and emotional regulation.

Art & Play

Illustration of a paintbrush with a wooden handle and bristles.

Central to my work, especially with children and young people. Play and creativity give powerful ways to express emotions, make sense of experiences, and connect with others — often reaching places words cannot.

Who I Work With

A simple illustration of a white flower with five petals and a green center.

Children & young people

I offer counselling for children and young people who may be experiencing:

  • Anxiety, worry, or panic

  • Low mood or sadness

  • Low confidence or self-esteem

  • Emotional regulation and “big feelings” (anger, frustration, overwhelm)

  • Friendship or peer difficulties

  • Bullying or feeling left out

  • School pressures, exams, or performance anxiety

  • Family changes (such as separation, divorce, new siblings)

  • Loss and bereavement

  • Difficulties expressing feelings

  • Coping with change or transitions (e.g. moving schools, adolescence)

  • Trauma or difficult early experiences

  • Neurodivergence (such as ADHD or autism)

  • LGBT+ identity, relationships, and belonging

Sessions may involve talking, play, or creative activities — whatever feels most comfortable and helpful for your child. The aim is always to provide a consistent, safe space where they can explore their feelings, build resilience, and discover new ways of coping.

White hand-drawn branch with leaves on a black background.

  • Stress, burnout, or overwhelm

  • Anxiety, panic, or persistent worry

  • Low mood, sadness, or depression

  • Relationship difficulties (family, partner, friends)

  • Low self-esteem or self-worth

  • Identity or self-exploration

  • LGBT+ experiences and identity

  • Life transitions (career changes, parenthood, loss, or relocation)

  • Grief and bereavement

  • Coping with past trauma or difficult childhood experiences

  • Feeling “stuck” or struggling to move forward

  • Exploring patterns, emotions, or ways of relating to others

Online sessions provide a confidential and accessible space to pause, reflect, and work through what matters most, with the flexibility to fit around daily life.

I also work with adults who may be experiencing:

Adults (Online)

Outline drawing of two hands touching or holding each other.

Trauma-informed practice


I am a trauma-informed counsellor, which means I work with care, patience, and awareness of how past experiences can affect the present. This approach helps to create safety in sessions, supports regulation, and allows space for clients to process difficult experiences at their own pace.

My Background

Before training as a counsellor, I worked for many years in the arts, teaching drama and leading creative workshops with both children and adults. This experience showed me how powerful creativity can be in supporting expression and building confidence — something I continue to bring into my counselling work today.

My Qualifications and Professional Standards

  • MSc Counselling (Children & Young People)

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology

  • MBACP — Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

  • Enhanced DBS Check

  • Level 3 Safeguarding Children

I also work under regular clinical supervision, hold professional indemnity insurance, and engage in ongoing CPD (continuing professional development) to ensure my practice remains safe, ethical, and effective.

White outline of a plant with elongated leaves on a black background.

If you’re thinking about counselling for yourself or your child, the first step is a simple initial chat. This is a chance to ask questions, talk through what you’re looking for, and see if counselling feels like a good fit.

Online sessions start at £50. In-person sessions for children start at £65. Concessions are available — please feel free to ask.

Ready to start?

Icon of a telephone handset inside a white circle with a black background.
Email icon inside a white circle on a black background

162 High St, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9PN (Inside Einstein 11+ Tuition Centre)

Map pin icon in white inside a black circle
A white exclamation mark inside a dark green circle on a black background.

Need urgent help?


I cannot provide crisis support. If you need urgent help, please contact your GP, call NHS 111, or reach out to:

Samaritans — call 116 123 (free, 24/7).

If you are a child or under 18: you can call Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk for support

If you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

Childline logo with text 'Online, on the phone, anytime' and contact information.
Samaritans logo with black text on a green background.