Let me tell you a story about me...

Hi there! I am Laila.  

Before we dive into the professional qualifications that might seem a tad dry, let me invite you into the story of my journey that has brought me here.

Mini Laila Sikander

Don't think I've always been the wise and insightful psychologist you see today. Oh no, I too have experienced a roller-coaster of emotions. Below, you can see me as the mini drama queen , trying to navigate the complex world of feelings.

Ever since I was little, I was a drama queen, trying endlessly to navigate the complex world of feelings.

And yes, I was briefly in the "cool kid" phase too - I guess you remember those carefree days when you wore sunglasses indoors and believed you were the epitome of good style. Back then I felt unstoppable, confident , unburdened by the weight of external judgments.

Mini Laila Sikander

Until the plot twist

SHAME and FEAR insidiously crept into my world. Suddenly, the daunting question that haunts many of us - 'What would others think of me?' - started echoing in my mind.

"What on earth do other people think of me?"

From that moment on my life became a performance—an endless attempt to be liked, to fit in, to meet expectations. My true self took a backseat. And as a bonus? Hello, anxiety!

Fast-forward a few years, and I found myself lost, stuck in a life that didn’t feel like my own. And here’s a cliché I now fully believe: sometimes, to find yourself, you first have to lose yourself.

That’s how I stumbled into the world of psychology. Of course, it didn’t happen smoothly. There was a lot of wandering. Somewhere along the way, I earned a degree in International Economic Relations and a Master’s in Financial Management, thinking that was my path.

But the best decision I ever made was to start over and choose psychology. Because no matter where you are in life, you can always begin again.

It took time, but I finally understood something that the little free spirit in sunglasses always knew deep down: Life isn’t about looking ‘cool,’ fitting in, or chasing perfection. It’s about showing up as your true self. It’s about letting go of expectations, embracing imperfections, and allowing yourself to truly live. To be present, not just perform. To breathe, not just exist.

And now I’m here to help you do exactly that.

If this resonates with you, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Let's write the next chapter of your story together.

Laila 2

Professional Qualifications:

  • Psychology with specialization in mental disorders - New Bulgarian University
  • Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy Consultant– Bulgarian CBT Association
  • Specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy –650 hours
  • Accredited member of the International Scheme Therapy Organization (ISST)
  • -Member of the Bulgarian Association of Schema Therapy
  • -Member of the Board of Directors of BOST (2022-2024)
  • Master in Financial Management – University of Bordeaux (France) and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski"
  • Bachelor of International Economic Relations – University of National and World Economy
 

Completed Trainings and Workshops:

"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for OCD and Related Disorders" with Prof. Paul Salkovskis
"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety" with Prof. David Clark
• “From ‘Painful Anxiety’ to ‘Health Concern’: Development and Expansion of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Health Anxiety” with Prof. Paul Salkovskis
• “Hoarding Disorder: A Question of Values?” with Prof. Paul Salkovskis
•“Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) for Chronic Depression and Alcohol-Related Disorders” with Dr. J. Kim Penberty
• “Scheme Therapy for Avoidant, Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder” with Remko van der Wijngaart
• "Meta-needs in schema therapy and the ascending arrow technique" with Dr. Alp Karaosmanoglu
• “Empathic Confrontation and Boundary Setting” with Dr. Remko van der Wijngaart
• "Chairwork in Schema Therapy" with Dr. Remko van der Wijngaart
• “Scheme Therapy for Children, Adolescents and Parents” with Dr. Christophe Luss
• “Techniques in Schema Therapy” with Dr. Alp Karaosmanoglu
• „Работа с различните части на Аза в схема терапията“ с проф. Дейвид Едуардс
• "Short intervention scheme" with Prof. Eshkol Rafaeli
• "The Method of Systemic Constellations" – 4-module training at the Psychological Center "Me and Us"
• "Skills in Psychological Counseling" – Animus Center
Sessioon Photo

Contact me and lets figure it out together!

089 792 8888

Location

Dragan Tsankov 36 Boulevard, Section B, 2nd floor, office 206 (Interpred Sofia), Sofia

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