Ania Capaldo

(formerly Ania Dudkiewicz)

is a Trainee Counselling Psychologist known amongst her clients for approaching therapy with a genuine warmth, care and commitment, as well as for the highly individual therapeutic approach to each person she works with.

After receiving her MA in Modern Diplomacy and International Affairs followed by her MBA, and then working as a strategic consultant for several years, Ania pivoted careers to follow her passion as a counselling psychologist.

She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology (First Class Honours), a Postgraduate diploma in Mental Health Science (with Distinction) and is currently working towards her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology from the NSPC & Middlesex University (2024, intended).

In the last decade, Ania has accumulated experience as a counsellor and psychotherapist for one of the london hospices, Cruse Bereavement Support charity and London-based low-cost counseling services. She currently works as a Trainee Counselling Psychologist for the NHS Community Adult Eating Disorder Services.

Testimonials

Working with Ania was such a pleasure. I’ve never felt like I’ve connected with a therapist so much and with someone who truly understands me. Even though things got heavy, I left my sessions feeling uplifted. She helped me see my true worth at times when I really struggled to see it.

S

Ania made me feel comfortable and helped me to normalise my feelings. She gave me support, kindness and helped me look at grief in a different way, which helped me to manage it easier. She showed she genuinely cared and was interested in what had happened. I can’t recommend her enough.

R

I just wanted to express how thankful I am for the time and thought you have given me, I will always remember everything that you’ve done for me in the past four months. There were so many points this year that I felt that I had no place to turn to but our sessions and I’m so grateful that you carried that weight with so much kindness and support. It must be such a taxing job to walk people through the worst of their thoughts, please know that I am so grateful.

I couldn’t imagine having a safer environment to find the words for all the things I’d never let myself think about. Thank you so much for providing that and for listening and remembering the things I struggle to comprehend about myself- I felt so understood and justified. You’re one of the kindest people I’ve ever met and I wish I could articulate better how genuinely appreciative I am. I’m so glad that there are people like you in the world that make the bad in it more bearable.

R

It is hard to put into a few sentences how life-changing working with Ania was for me, and no doubt would be for anyone. Her authenticity, warmth, empathy, intelligence, and courage are reflected in her therapy style and guidance. There was never a wasted moment- no matter how I felt going into a session I always left empowered, comforted, and clear. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

M

Before I started counselling with Ania, I had several unpleasant and disappointing experiences with therapy. I was apprehensive about starting again, and worried that it wouldn't help me much. With Ania, I was not only able to get the support I needed, but I found someone incredibly trustworthy, patient, and committed. If you have any doubts about therapy, choose her.

C

I want to thank you once again for everything you have done for me, without your advice and support I would have reacted in a very different way to those challenges. You helped me to change my mindset and understand that I cannot control or prevent everything and to try to live more in the moment and focus on my way of thinking and actions.

M

At a very difficult time I was advised a therapist might be someone I should seek out and if I’m honest I wasn’t keen until I found Ania.Ania allowed me to slowly open up at my own pace and navigate existential questions that had been troubling me. Ania helped me talk freely, helped me to reset boundaries and find peace in my situation, something I didn’t think would be possible.Ania helped me regain strength in my life to ‘own it.’ I truly believe everyone should see a therapist and if you are lucky enough to come across Ania you will thrive. I will be forever grateful.

L

I do want to take the time to also thank you, again, for the past few months we had together in therapy. I don't think anyone else could have been as amazing and helpful as you were, especially in the place I was at when I first started. Everything just clicked. I was able to open up and trust you completely, and that trust was never broken. So, thank you for being so wise, kind, and relentless.

C

Ania gives much more than therapy; she provides a deep understanding of the human condition, and emotional connection and support around the difficulty themes of mortality, inadequacy, futility and the search for life’s meaning. Her ability to create a open environment made it very easy to share philosophical ideas, with care and sensitivity at the core of her practise. I immensely value her guidance and would recommend her services to anyone, especially those struggling with ruminations of an existential nature.

P

We often feel that we have everything, yet there is an indefinable void in our lives

Sometimes we feel destabilised, lost or confused. Sometimes we understand what is causing our suffering, but sometimes we cannot put a finger on why. And the deeper we are in our suffering, the longer it can take to return to the surface.

However, if there is a desire to come back, there is always a way back possible to be found.

I start with the knowledge that you are the expert when it comes to your life

That, in order to heal together, it is imperative that you know I trust your instincts and intentions.

It is my belief that when clients feel safe, comfortable, and confident, we can work together to create lasting healing and life-altering change that is transformative for us both.

No one type of person is best suited for or most deserving of therapy

I have worked with people from different countries, backgrounds, origins, religions and beliefs; with musicians, actors, designers, athletes, medical professionals, entrepreneurs, lawyers, bankers, teachers, influencers and students and with those from all areas of the neurodiversity spectrum.

I have worked with those who suffer from anxiety, depression, dementia and psychosis; with those who are scared to lose their loved ones and with those who have lost them; with mothers and fathers and those whose dreams of parenthood cannot be realised; with people who love themselves and those who feel unable to, those who eat too much and those who eat too little; with the terminally ill and those on their way to recovery.

We all share the same need for finding meaning, inner peace and deep connection in our lives.

I work primarily existentially, encouraging clients to focus on and explore their now

I try to always take into consideration Kierkagaard’s words that despite the human need of understanding one’s life backwards, we must live it forwards.

Depending on the client’s needs, I integrate tools and techniques from a person-centred, psychodynamic or CBT approach, but my main way of working and being with clients is based on relational depth.

Relational depth is usually a result of a deep focus on the core conditions of therapeutic relationship: empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard towards the client. If the moments of relational depth occur during the therapy, therapist and client can meet at a deep level of being tuned in to one another and experience the sense of togetherness and connectedness that provides a shelter from existential loneliness and isolation.

Understanding and mastering emotions is like learning to surf the waves of the ocean, since emotions are the ebb and flow of human experience.

Emmy Van Deurzen

I work therapeutically with people from six different continents and various time zones

I work mainly via online tools (Zoom/Skype). Face-to-face therapy sessions can also be scheduled in the surrounded-by-nature therapy room in Northaw, Hertfordshire (EN6), where outdoor 'walk-and-talk' therapy sessions can be chosen.

My client list is kept to a maximum of 10 people at a time to ensure the therapy is as focused, thoughtful and impactful as possible.

Specialisms

(including but not limited to)

Anxiety
Depression

Eating disorders
Body image issues

Workplace mental health
Burnout
Mental health in business life

Reproductive mental health
Infertility
Miscarriage
Postnatal depression

Psychooncology
Palliative Care
Pre-Bereavement
Bereavement

Relationship issues
Couples therapy

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each session?

Each session lasts 50 minutes. If therapeutically justified, the session may be extended by 5-10 minutes. Face-to-face and walk-and-talk sessions can be booked as double sessions, so that commuting to Northaw is more feasible for a client.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies from case to case- some clients are satisfied with short-time therapy, while some desire on-going support and opt for long-term therapy. After an introductory session, Ania usually recommends booking a block of 6 sessions that are carried out weekly, after which the need of further therapy sessions can be discussed and re-evaluated.

How can I book a session?

An introductory or recurring session can be booked by clicking here. If Ania’s number of existing clients reaches 10, after your introductory session you may choose to be added to the waiting list. Sessions that are not paid for 24 hours before the session begins will be automatically cancelled.

Confidentiality agreement

Confidentiality will be maintained within the codes of ethics and legal requirements. Confidentiality does not apply where it would mean that your therapist might break the law or where withholding information means she would breach the codes of ethics. Confidentiality may be breached if Ania considers there is a risk that a client may harm themselves or others. In such exceptional circumstances, where there is concern for the client’s well-being or that of others, it may be necessary to seek help outside the therapeutic relationship. In such an event where therapist is considering breaching confidentiality, the client will normally be consulted first. In the case of a disclosure concerning acts of terrorism, vulnerable adult or child protection issues or drug trafficking, confidentiality will be breached and such disclosures will be passed onto the relevant authority without delay. Due consideration should be exercised before disclosing anything of a previously unreported criminal nature, as therapist is obligated to contact relevant authorities.

Cancellation Policy

It is understood that sometimes sudden events, such as emergencies, happen, that may make it necessary for clients to cancel their appointment last minute or fail to attend without notification. On these occasions a 50% fee will be charged. In general, however, if the client fails to give less than 24-hours notice of the intention to cancel or postpone an agreed therapy session, the full amount for that session will be charged.

Fees

£100 / session, for individuals
£180/ session, for couples