About

Welcome to Lotus House.

My name is Aleksandra Baranowski, and I'm a Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapist working with children, young people, and young adults aged 4 to 24. My approach is child-centred and grounded in psychodynamic thinking — which simply means I focus on the unique inner world each young person brings, helping them make sense of patterns, emotions, and experiences that may be shaping how they feel in the present.

I'm a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and of the Birkbeck Counselling Association (BCA), a professional community rooted in psychodynamic training at Birkbeck, University of London. I work to the BACP Ethical Framework, hold professional indemnity insurance, and meet regularly with a clinical supervisor — practical commitments that mean the work is held safely.

How I work

I aim to offer a calm, safe, and reflective space where young people can feel understood and begin to make sense of their inner world. Every young person communicates differently, so I work flexibly: with younger children I may use play, creativity, and symbolic communication; with adolescents and young adults I offer a more traditional talking therapy approach. I have particular experience supporting neurodivergent and SEN young people, including those with autism, ADHD, and other learning differences.

Before a first session, I'd want a parent to know that there is no expectation for a child to "perform" or explain everything straight away. Building trust takes time, and I work at the pace of the young person.

Background

I hold an MSc in Psychodynamic Counselling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents (Merit, 2025) and a Graduate Certificate in Psychodynamic Practice from Birkbeck, University of London. I also hold counselling qualifications from CPCAB (Levels 2 and 3) and a BA in Psychology from SWPS University in Warsaw.

Before opening this practice I worked therapeutically with children and adolescents across a range of school settings: with Place2Be at Allfarthing Primary School (2021-2023) and Holy Ghost Primary School (2023-2024), at The Brit School in Croydon (2024-2025), and currently at Lime Tree School in Merstham, where I have been since April 2026.

Beyond the therapy room

Outside of my work I'm a qualified yoga teacher and have a long-standing interest in philosophy.