About Aleksandra Balazy-Knas
Specialist CBT Therapist for Pregnancy After Loss and Birth Trauma
Hi, I'm Aleksandra.
Welcome! I’m so glad you’ve found your way here. If you’re navigating a pregnancy after experiencing loss or birth trauma, I’m here to offer you support, compassion, and non-judgmental space along the way. My goal is to help you find peace, hope, and joy, even if past experiences and fears feel overwhelming.
How My Passion Developed?
My journey into perinatal mental health began long before I became a mother, driven by a deep interest in this field. However, it became a personal mission after my own experiences with birth trauma and postnatal depression following my first son’s birth. These challenges ignited a profound passion in me to support others who are facing similar struggles.
When my second son was born, we faced another challenging experience with his health, leading to deep fears and uncertainty. This experience profoundly affected me and reinforced my commitment to supporting women who have experienced loss—whether it’s the loss of a child or the loss of oneself through trauma. I understand how it feels when your world seems to shatter, and how important it is to have someone who truly gets it and is there to walk with you through it.
How I Live Out My Passion as a Therapist?
I consider it a real privilege to be part of your motherhood journey. My approach is all about creating a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can feel safe and supported. I bring a sense of humour and authenticity to our sessions, helping to lighten the emotional load and make our work together more relatable and comfortable.
There’s no emotion too big or thought too scary to share. Together, we’ll explore your feelings and experiences, and I’ll be there with you every step of the way, making sure you feel understood and valued.
How I Help Others?
Pregnancy is meant to be a joyful time, but past losses or traumatic experiences can make it hard to embrace that joy. My aim is to help you shift from fear to hope, allowing you to fully appreciate and enjoy this new chapter. We’ll work on healing from past trauma and learning to live alongside your grief, all while finding new ways to view yourself and your experiences with kindness and compassion.
My Qualifications
𑁍 Psychology, MSc (Wroclaw University)
𑁍 Mental Health Nursing, BSc (Coventry University)
𑁍 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, PGDip (Coventry University)
Professional Registration
𑁍 Registered Mental Health Nurse with the NMC: I am a registered mental health nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), ensuring that I adhere to the highest standards of mental health care and ethical practice.
𑁍 Accredited CBT Therapist with the BABCP: As an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) with the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), I’m trained in evidence-based techniques to help you manage anxiety, trauma, and grief effectively.
𑁍 Working Towards Supervisor Accreditation: I am actively working towards my Supervisor Accreditation with the BABCP. This ongoing professional development reflects my commitment to advancing my skills and providing the best possible support to clients and fellow professionals alike.
Selected Relevant Training
𑁍 Clinical Supervision (High Intensity), Birmingham University
𑁍 Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
𑁍 Trauma-Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Psychwire
𑁍 The Compassion Focused Approach to Perinatal Mental Health, The Compassionate Mind Foundation
𑁍 Healing and Hope: Working with Trauma and Loss in the Perinatal Period, Bespoke Mental Health
𑁍 How to move forward with loss, grief and PTSD linked to traumatic bereavement with Cognitive Therapy, Bespoke Mental Health
𑁍 Strategies to Help Clients Process Grief and Loss, National Institute for Clinical Applications of Behavioral Medicine (NICAMB)
What it’s like to work with me?
𑁍 What to Expect from Our Sessions:
A Genuine Connection: From the moment we start working together, you’ll feel at ease and understood. Clients often mention how quickly they feel comfortable opening up, which is something I’m truly grateful for.
Emotional Openness: I respond to your experiences with empathy and openness, whether it involves tears or laughter. I believe in acknowledging and embracing all emotions, and sometimes, laughter can be just as healing as tears.
A Safe Space for Healing: We’ll work together using evidence-based techniques like Trauma-Focused CBT, ACT and CFT. These methods are designed to help you process and heal from trauma, with me by your side every step of the way. Therapy is not just about changing thoughts; it’s about developing compassion for yourself, engaging with your feelings, and healing in a supportive environment.
𑁍 What I Don’t Do:
Overload You with Homework: While we may discuss strategies, I won’t burden you with excessive homework. Our focus is on what feels right for you and how we can make real progress together.
Make Decisions for You: I won’t solve your problems for you but will instead help you discover your own solutions and build confidence in your decisions.
Ignore the Bigger Picture: I recognize how societal influences and current events affect your mental health. We’ll address these factors to ensure a holistic approach to your therapy.
Some things that my Clients have said about working with Me:
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