ABOUT US
Hi, I’m Dr Serena Ventura, a psychologist and the founder of Atipica.
Over time, I noticed that many couples whose relationships crossed cultures, identities, or communication styles struggled to find counsellors who really understood their experience. There wasn’t a space made with them in mind.
Atipica was created to be that space.
Why I Created Atipica
Not a generic couples therapy service
The questionnaire matches you with the counsellors who have experience in the kind of relationship you actually have, and you choose who to meet.
So you don't spend your first sessions explaining the basics of ADHD, autism, transition or culture before the work can start.
HOW WE CHOOSE OUR COUNSELLORS
Every counsellor here is on the BACP or HCPC register, with a registration number you can check. Beyond that, we look for real experience supporting relationships shaped by:
Neurodivergent–neurotypical dynamics
Intercultural or international backgrounds
Differing communication or emotional processing styles
LGBTQ+ identities and relationship structures
Experience in the relationship you actually have
Here, these aspects of your relationship are not viewed as issues to resolve, but as real, meaningful parts of your story that deserve attention, care, and respect.
OUR THERAPISTS
Meet the people you'd be working with
All our therapists are fully registered to practice in the UK and offer support with care, sensitivity, and respect.
Catherine Collins
BACP Accredited Counsellor (25844)-
I am a BACP-Accredited Counsellor with over 30 years of experience supporting people within the NHS and in private practice. Since 1996, I have worked as a Staff Counsellor in hospital and ambulance services, offering emotional support in environments where pressure, responsibility, and complexity are part of everyday life.
My background includes an Honours Degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Counselling, and I have taught counselling at introductory level. I continue to develop my practice through ongoing training to ensure the work remains thoughtful, grounded, and current.
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My work is empathetic, and collaborative.
I aim to create a safe environment where both partners can speak openly, feel heard, and explore what is happening between them without judgment.Rather than pushing for quick fixes, I support couples to:
slow down emotional reactions
understand one another more clearly
recognise patterns that may be causing distance or pain
rebuild connection at a pace that feels respectful and manageable
The heart of my approach is being truly listened to, because being acknowledged and understood can be deeply healing in itself.
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I have particular experience supporting:
Neurodivergent–neurotypical couples, including ADHD and autism
LGBTQ+ couples and partners
Intercultural and cross-cultural relationships
Couples navigating communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, or ongoing tension
I work from a place of inclusivity, patience, and respect for difference, helping couples understand one another not by erasing differences, but by making meaningful space for them.
Natasha Fernandes
HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist (PYL047738)-
I am a Clinical Psychologist with over a decade of experience working across clinical, healthcare and relational settings.
I support individuals and couples in navigating emotional, relational and psychological complexities with depth and clarity. I have extensive experience working with neurodivergent individuals and couples, as well as clients across LGBTQ+ communities.
I bring a thoughtful, respectful and attuned understanding to the unique dynamics within each relationship.
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My work is grounded in a trauma-informed and integrative framework. I help clients make sense of underlying emotional patterns, attachment dynamics and relational cycles that may be shaping their experiences.
My approach balances emotional depth with practical direction. I am particularly suited to clients who are reflective, self-aware and seeking to understand the deeper patterns shaping their relationships.
I aim to offer a grounding and insightful space where clients can feel understood while gaining clarity on how to move forward.
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Anxiety and emotional distress
Relationship challenges and communication difficulties
Attachment patterns and relational dynamics
Recurring conflict and disconnection
Life transitions and identity-related exploration
I support both individuals and couples in building greater self-awareness, improving communication, and developing more secure and fulfilling relationships.
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I am a BACP registered Counsellor and Psychotherapist, experienced in supporting individuals through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges. My work has included private practice, charity, and agency settings, where I have worked with individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
My professional and academic training includes a Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Counselling, a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, Health and Wellbeing, and an MSc in Psychology. My academic and clinical interests have been shaped by a particular interest in relationships, reflected in my master's research, which explored the lived experiences of romantic relationships. I am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure my practice remains current and informed by the latest research and best practice.
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I believe that therapy is built on a trusting, collaborative relationship where you can feel safe, heard, and understood. My approach is integrative, drawing on a range of therapeutic modalities, including person-centred, psychodynamic, and transactional analysis. This allows me to tailor therapy to your individual needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
I aim to provide a compassionate, non-judgemental space where we can explore the difficulties you are facing, develop a deeper understanding of your experiences, and work together towards meaningful and lasting change. I work from a trauma-informed perspective and am committed to championing difference, diversity, and inclusion throughout my practice.
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I work with adults and couples experiencing a range of emotional and relational challenges. I have particular experience supporting:
Neurodivergent adults navigating ADHD, autism and other conditions
Masking, burnout, sensory and emotional regulation differences
Couples working through trauma, attachment and relational difficulties
I work from a place of inclusivity, curiosity, patience, and respect for difference. Rather than viewing differences as something to overcome, I help couples understand one another more deeply by creating space for each person's unique experiences, perspectives, and needs.
Laura Carroll
BACP Registered Counsellor (403798)Book your free consultation
Everything happens online
BACP Accredited & HCPC registered
Registration numbers you can check
30+ years of NHS experience in the team
No diagnosis needed to start