Hi, and thank you for stopping by.
I am Noemi, and I offer counselling that honours your journey to understanding yourself and finding your own path. The name of my practice, Essència, comes from my native Catalan (and is similar in my other native language, Spanish, esencia) and means 'essence'. To me, the counselling process is about reconnecting with your own essence - who you truly are at your core - beyond expectations, masking, labels, society's pressures, and what life has conditioned you to believe.
Meeting me as a counsellor
Born and raised in Barcelona at a time when mental health was rarely named or understood, from an early age I was drawn to the quiet complexity of human experience – how both our inner and outer worlds shape the way we relate, express and make meaning.
My background includes Music, the Humanities and visual Arts, and these disciplines have influenced my work as a counsellor; they have taught me to listen beyond words and to respect the unique ways people communicate their inner lives.
Having lived between different countries, I became deeply aware of how our environment and culture can influence the way we perceive our reality and relate to ourselves and others. This understanding sits at the heart of my culturally-aware, person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
My own life experiences led me inward, into a long and often challenging process of self-enquiry and reflection. Later, entering therapy as a client deepened my understanding of how transformative it can be to be met with true empathy, curiosity and care.
Professionally, my path began in education and gradually moved towards community-based wellbeing roles. Over the past decade, I have supported individuals within the NHS, the VCFSE sector, complex mental health and educational settings. All of these experiences reminded me again and again that human connection and authenticity come before rigid systems or one-size-fits-all approaches; this belief guides everything I do in my practice.
My approach
I see counselling as something we navigate together: it is a shared process built on trust, openness and honesty, where we work at a pace that feels right for you.
The relationship we build is at the heart of my work. I aim to offer a space where you feel listened to, understood and accepted, so you can explore whatever feels important without fear of judgement. I will meet you where you are, and we will work together to understand your experiences and what they mean for you.
From my own experiences as a client, I understood that change is not linear: you may notice the same thoughts, feelings or patterns coming up again and again. While this can sometimes feel frustrating, revisiting them often brings new understanding and helps you connect more deeply with yourself.
If you want a space to untangle your thoughts, understand yourself better or find a different way forward, we will work together at a pace that feels supportive and meaningful.