My Story
My name is Eva. I am a trainee psychotherapist, and this has been my journey to create Ravenspring Therapy, a person-centred therapeutic practice with a particular focus on supporting survivors of trauma.
In 2013, I jumped on a plane from Milan, Italy, where I am originally from, and arrived in London with a suitcase full of clothes, books, and dreams of starting afresh.
In the following years, I pursued a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Forensic Psychology. For me, it was crucial to understand the impact of crime on the psychological wellbeing of people affected by it and their loved ones.
While pursuing my studies, I volunteered for Victim Support and eventually found employment with Early Help Services (under the MASH Hub), before moving on to work full-time in the busy A&E department of a major trauma centre in London with children and young adults who had experienced sexual and domestic violence. The job, and the extraordinary human resilience I bore witness to while in the role, changed who I wanted to be, and that is how I came to pursue a second master's degree in person-centred psychotherapy.
I have spent the last few years in a placement offering long-term therapy to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, while also working for the NHS in CAMHS services, using low-intensity CBT to support the management of anxiety and low mood.
As I enter the fourth and second-to-last year of my psychotherapy training, I have decided to open my own private practice.
But enough of me, I want to hear about you.
My Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology
MSc Forensic Psychology
MSc in Contemporary Person-Centred Psychotherapy (ongoing, currently enrolled in year 4 of 5)
My Professional Memberships
Graduate Member, British Psychological Society (GMBPsS) n. 692011
UKCP Trainee member n. 2011190742
BACP Student Member n. 01020151
Ravens are creatures that have long fascinated me. Across the world’s mythologies and lore, they are both seen as creatures of omens and wisdom. I am particularly familiar with Norse mythology and Odin’s ravens, Huginn (“Thought” in Old Norse) and Muninn (“Memory” in Old Norse). Because at the core of what I interpret as therapy is a shared space where thoughts are expressed and memories are safe to be explored, I liked the idea of having ravens as icons for my practice.
Spring is rebirth; it is the start of a new cycle, of blooming life. Spring is also where underground water emerges and starts flowing on the surface. Both ways of looking at the world evoke strong associations for me with the journey we make while in therapy. And both are part of a cycle: spring follows the death of winter, and spring water had to travel underground before resurfacing. Therapy is always a new beginning, even if the focus might be on the past.
Because of all of this, Ravenspring just rang true. I would be curious to know what the name evokes for you.
Ravenspring Story
The Hands Behind
the Illustrations
I liked the idea of incorporating original art on my website to welcome people who would come across it. My search for artists who could make that happen led me to the following people, whom I am profoundly grateful to for dedicating their time and art to making the website come alive.
My thanks go to:
Anastasia Khmelevska- Main page illustration of the library
Magazoostudio- Self-portrait on My Story page & the door illustration on the Contact Page
Aimee Foremar-Trauma Work page landscape illustration
HandofMida- Creator of Ravenspring Logo