About me

Hi I’m Anatolie (pronounced a-Natalie). I’m a qualified therapist and registered with the BACP.

I am based in central St Albans which is easily accessible by car or train from many Hertfordshire areas including Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, London Colney, Luton, Markyate, Radlett, Redbourn, Shenley, Watford, Welwyn Garden City, Wheathampstead and many more.

My story on becoming a counsellor

I moved to London from Montreal, Canada, where I grew up, in 1998 and after a fulfilling career in tech-communications for over a decade, I then moved to St Albans, got married and lost my job.

I struggled in areas of body and mind while supporting my family after experiencing infertility, IVF, late-motherhood, early menopause and not working for the first time since I was 15. I realised I was depressed, had lost myself and felt alone in the world despite having many friends’ support.  While everyone around me seemed to thrive, I struggled to understand what was happening to me both mentally and physically.  I tried to find answers through research, coaching, reading and talking with doctors, friends and even strangers; although I found some answers, it was hard to put them all together and get anywhere optimistic in my lonely and painful journey.

I started a Counselling Course at The Counselling Foundation in St Albans as well as personal-counselling.  During the first year of my qualifications, I lost my mother to an aggressive brain cancer. Studying bereavement while actually going through it was incredibly powerful; it propelled me deeply into self-work. It also helped me process parts of the difficult relationship I had with my narcissistic mother. 

By studying psychotherapy and exploring my past through personal-therapy, I began to understand myself and my relationships more. 

It was not an easy journey; it was hard work, sometimes painful, but slowly I began to teach myself boundaries that felt right for me, self-compassion, and learned to balance mine and loved-ones’ needs in a healthier way. I felt better, more secure and finally optimistic about the future.

My own counsellor guided me in a consistent and containing way on a weekly basis; I quickly realised that this was the best money spent and had never experienced such powerful attachment and support, all for the benefit of being a more authentic and better version of me.

Today, more than ever, I realise that many of us feel alone and/or not in control of our own lives and how much emotional and psychological support on a weekly basis can help.

Along with this intense yet enlightening journey, my multi-ethnic and diverse background and life have truly shaped my empathic traits towards an openness and acceptance of others that has guided me in my work and relationships in all areas of my life.

I work predominately in English but am fluent in French, Greek and less fluent in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. I have worked closely with many other cultures including Arab and Asian and have personal experience in working with LGBTQ and neurodiverse communities and people.

Whether you’re certain you’d like to start therapy or wonder if I’m the right therapist for you, feel free to contact me in confidence to arrange an initial 30 minutes discussion by phone or video, at no cost. Email me at anatolie@jacobsontherapy.com

You can follow me on Instagram.