Understanding The Possible Effects Of Trauma On The Lives Of Refugee Women
Conflict and violence force millions of women to flee, exposing them to trauma, loss, and extreme danger. Refugee women endure profound psychological impacts, yet through...
Ms Valeria Bonfiglio
Psychologist
“I am a qualified psychologist specialised in psychotherapy with international training and experience across Argentina, Spain, and the UK. I completed my degree in Psychology in Buenos Aires and went on to undertake postgraduate studies in social psychology in Madrid, alongside clinical and organisational work in mental health and wellbeing. Since moving to London, I have established a private practice where I work with individuals and couples presenting with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. I also provide clinical supervision to other practitioners, offering a reflective and supportive space for their professional development. In addition to my private practice, I collaborate with wellbeing platforms that provide online therapy to clients internationally. This allows me to support people across different countries and time zones while maintaining high clinical and ethical standards. My work is grounded in professionalism, ongoing learning, and a strong commitment to creating safe, respectful, and ethical therapeutic relationships.”
About Me
I’m a psychotherapist based in London, supporting individuals and couples as they navigate life’s challenges, strengthen their relationships, and develop greater emotional well-being. I believe that with the right support, everyone has the capacity for growth, healing, and meaningful change.
I work with people from a wide range of personal and cultural backgrounds. Some come because they feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck; others want to better understand themselves or their relationships. Whatever brings you, my aim is to offer a calm, respectful, and non-judgmental space where you can explore what’s going on at your own pace.
My professional journey began in Buenos Aires, where I trained as a psychologist, and has taken me through Madrid and eventually to London. Living and working across different cultures has shaped both who I am and how I practice, particularly in relation to identity, belonging, and the experience of living between worlds.
I offer therapy in both English and Spanish, so you can work in the language that feels most natural to you. Above all, I aim to help people feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported.
Approach
My work is grounded in an integrative, humanistic approach. This means I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all model of therapy — instead, I tailor the way we work to you, your history, and what you need at this point in your life.
I draw from a range of therapeutic traditions, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and mindfulness-based approaches. These tools help us look at how your thoughts, emotions, relationships, and past experiences interact, while also developing practical ways of coping and making change.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. I don’t position myself as an expert on your life — you are. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you make sense of what you’re experiencing, notice patterns that may be holding you back, and discover new ways of relating to yourself and others.
Our work together is shaped by curiosity, respect, and care. Whether you’re seeking short-term clarity or deeper long-term change, therapy becomes a space where insight, emotional safety, and growth can emerge.
Contact Valeria
Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.
Basic Information
Services
I work with adults and couples who are experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. These include anxiety, depression, trauma, the impact of abuse, low self-esteem, grief, relationship and attachment difficulties, and major life changes such as separation, migration, or career transitions.
Therapy may involve stabilising and creating a sense of safety, understanding how past experiences continue to shape the present, and developing healthier ways of coping and relating. Over time, many clients find that they feel more grounded, more confident, and more able to make choices that reflect who they really are.
I offer both short-term and long-term therapy, depending on what you’re hoping to work on. Some people come for focused support around a specific issue, while others choose a deeper ongoing process of self-exploration and emotional healing.
Sessions are available in English and Spanish, online and in person, and always tailored to your individual needs.
Services Offered:
- •
Counseling
A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.
Learn more about Counseling - •
Relationship Counseling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
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Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy - •
Psychotherapy
In-depth therapeutic work that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting psychological change.
Learn more about Psychotherapy
Works With:
- •Adults
- •Couples
- •Individuals
- •Organisations
Area of Expertise
Scope of Practice:
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Abuse
Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.
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Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety - •
Grief & Loss
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss.
Learn more about Grief & Loss - •
Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder - •
Identity Issues
A person's sense of who they are, including their values, beliefs, roles, and self-perception, and the distress that arises when this sense is unclear, fragmented, or negative.
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Life Transitions
Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.
Learn more about Life Transitions - •
Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
- •
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues - •
Sexual Issues
Difficulties related to sexual functioning, desire, identity, or behaviour that cause distress or interfere with relationships.
Learn more about Sexual Issues - •
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma
Professional Title:
- •
Psychologist
A professional trained to assess and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological methods.
Qualifications
Middlesex University, London, UK
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Memberships
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Full Member
Membership: 255233
