Monika Ptasinska
Luton,Bedfordshire
Summary
UKCP-registered Integrative Psychotherapist specialising in complex mental health, including eating disorders, trauma, and severe depression. I integrate psychodynamic, humanistic, and experiential approaches with embodied practices as a trained MANTRA practitioner and Dance Movement Psychotherapist. Alongside my clinical work as an integrative psychotherapist, I volunteer on the Communications Team for the European Association of Dance Movement Therapy.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Visiting Lecturer
University of Derby
Derby
2026.03 - Current
- Providing lectures linking theory and practice for students of Dance Movement Psychotherapy.
- Led seminars and workshops related to course content, deepening understanding of subject matter.
Creative Arts Psychotherapist
PIC Ltd / Elysium Healthcare ( Vivre Care )
Luton, Central Bedfordshire
2022.05 - 2026.03
- Individual and group therapy sessions with adults with eating disorders and complex trauma at residential houses in Luton.
- Writing reports, health care plans, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic care.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, enhancing emotional well-being.
- Providing individual therapy plans interventions, MANTRA.
- Provided crisis intervention services, ensuring immediate safety.
Dance Fitness Instructor
Active Luton
Luton, Central Bedfordshire
2012.07 - 2026.03
- Group movement sessions focusing on stretch and relax.
- Building positive body image.
- Improving self-esteem and self-confidence through the movement.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Bodhi Space
Olney, Central Bedfordshire
2021.03 - 2025.12
- One to one sessions with adults suffering body dysmorphic disorder and low self-esteem, working with body image, depression and fibromyalgia.
Psychotherapist
Talk Support Helpline
London, City of London
2021.01 - 2022.04
- One to one session with young adults from ethnic minorities experiencing depression and difficulties with body image.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Embodiment Unlimited
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
2020.03 - 2021.12
- Online group therapy sessions with people suffering bereavement, body image issues and eating disorder with nurturing elements.
- Facilitating online presentations at the Embodiment Conference in 2020.
Lecturer
Masterpiece Education
Luton, Central Bedfordshire
2021.01 - 2021.09
- Tutor at Counselling Skills Online Course - Level 3.
- Delivering online presentations, homework assistance, bolstering understanding of classroom topics.
Psychotherapist
The Healing Centre CCHH
Harrow, Harrow
2020.03 - 2020.09
- Conducting a short pilot project during pandemic to support young individuals suffering depression, bereavement and trauma.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Tile House
Hitchin, Hertfordshire
2019.01 - 2019.12
- Short project working with young people aged 10-25 experiencing bullying and suffering with mental health problems.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, enhancing emotional well-being.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Keech Hospice
Luton, Central Bedfordshire
2017.05 - 2018.05
- Group therapy utilising mindful movement for adults and elderly clients with long-term illnesses and chronic conditions.
- Emotional support for clients with long term illnesses and those facing bereavement.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Sorted Counselling Services
Dunstable, Central Bedfordshire
2015.01 - 2016.01
- Therapy sessions for young people aged 10-25.
- Working with anxiety, depression, childhood trauma and domestic violence.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
NHS
London, City of London
2012.02 - 2013.12
- Psychotherapy Group Sessions at the Psychiatric Hospital in Acute Adult Mental Health inpatients units in NHS Lambeth Hospital, psychiatric hospital (Acute mental health, Recovery Unit for Chronic Psychotic Patients).
- Group Movement therapy to aid self-regulation and managing self-crisis.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist trainee
NHS for Mental Health, Therapies and Life Skill Service
London, City of London
2012.09 - 2013.01
- A short project group therapy on the Mother and Baby Unit at City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, Therapies and Life Skill Service.
- Group therapy for mothers suffering from post-natal depression.
- Aiding recovery and mother-child bonding experience.
Dance Movement Psychotherapist trainee
Medium secure unit HMR
Norwich, Norfolk
2011.09 - 2012.07
- Providing therapy groups for adults in medium secure unit, including young offenders primarily males.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions, enhancing emotional well-being.
- Collaboration with music therapists.
Education
Master of Arts - Art Psychotherapy
University of Roehampton
London, Roehampton 2011.09 - 2013.10
Master of Science - Cartography
Slovak Technical University
Bratislava, Slovakia 1996.09 - 2001.07
Bachelor of Science - Pedagogy
Slovak Technical University
Bratislava, Slovakia 1999.09 - 2001.06
Skills
- UKCP accreditation
- Group therapy facilitation
- Eating disorder treatment knowledge
- Art Therapy
- Self-awareness
- Mindfulness interventions
- Resilience under pressure
- Communication proficiency
- Psycho-therapeutic Skills
- Humanistic approach
- Professional conduct
- Client confidentiality respect
- Non-Judgemental listening
- Mindfulness-Based therapies
- Integrative approach in psychotherapy
- Play therapy techniques
- Treatment planning
- Developing client goals
- Active listening
- Emotional resilience
- Organisational skills
- Cultural awareness
- Presentation skills
- Microsoft Office
Languages
English
Fluent
Slovak
Native
Czech
Fluent
Polish
Beginner
Russian
Beginner
Personal Details
- Driver's License: Cars
- Eligible to work in the UK: Yes
- Highest Level of Education: Master's
- Industry: Other
- Total years of experience: 15
Certification
- Certificate for MANTRA from The Maudsley Model of Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults Training 2026
- Bodylistening: A practical approach to psychotherapy by Tim Brown (Certificate) 2025
- Kestenberg Movement Profile (KMP) Certification 2023
- Bartenieff Fundamentals Certificate 2022
- The Body Remembers by Babette Rothschild training 2022
- Authentic Movement Certification 2016
- Dance of Awareness Facilitator - Dance Movement Psychotherapy 2014
Timeline
Visiting Lecturer
University of Derby
2026.03 - Current
Creative Arts Psychotherapist
PIC Ltd / Elysium Healthcare ( Vivre Care )
2022.05 - 2026.03
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Bodhi Space
2021.03 - 2025.12
Psychotherapist
Talk Support Helpline
2021.01 - 2022.04
Lecturer
Masterpiece Education
2021.01 - 2021.09
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Embodiment Unlimited
2020.03 - 2021.12
Psychotherapist
The Healing Centre CCHH
2020.03 - 2020.09
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Tile House
2019.01 - 2019.12
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Keech Hospice
2017.05 - 2018.05
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Sorted Counselling Services
2015.01 - 2016.01
Dance Movement Psychotherapist trainee
NHS for Mental Health, Therapies and Life Skill Service
2012.09 - 2013.01
Dance Fitness Instructor
Active Luton
2012.07 - 2026.03
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
NHS
2012.02 - 2013.12
Master of Arts - Art Psychotherapy
University of Roehampton
2011.09 - 2013.10
Dance Movement Psychotherapist trainee
Medium secure unit HMR
2011.09 - 2012.07
Bachelor of Science - Pedagogy
Slovak Technical University
1999.09 - 2001.06
Master of Science - Cartography
Slovak Technical University
1996.09 - 2001.07