ABOUT MONICA STANESCU
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Why not message me at +44 7436869716, or email me [email protected], or book an introductory session.
My interest in psychology and therapeutic approaches sparked about twenty years ago. Going through various adverse childhood experiences, being surrounded by unhealthy behaviours, and displaying unhealthy behaviours, understanding the mind and human behaviours becomes something of high interest. Hence, I went on to study Psychology, and I found it amazing! I initially wanted to study clinical psychology, but I was looking for more, so I decided to pursue a career in the Human Resources and Recruitment field. This time of my life was truly spectacular! I worked and met so many wonderful people. I still carry some wisdom from that time. My favourite is: “I am too poor to buy cheap shoes”, and I genuinely believe it, but I also love shoes, so it’s a good excuse when I want to buy another pair. I developed strong diplomatic and professional skills, learned to adjust my communication style, and refined my people skills, which, over time, correlated with a high level of empathy and authenticity, becoming my strengths as a person and now as a therapist.
Time passed, and when I discovered a Health Psychology Master's at the University of the West of England, it felt like the right approach to follow. I have always believed in the biopsychosocial approach, which holds that the environment in which we grow and live is essential to our development. That was the time when I truly understood how traumatic it had been to receive the diagnosis of a chronic condition in my early twenties, how it had impacted my identity as a woman and how it had taken over my being and my life. I went through all the stages of grief, and it turned my world upside down. But with great support around me, therapy, and friends, I managed to rebuild myself, the way I feel about myself. This time, in a conscious manner, by my values and beliefs, my wishes for the future, and how I wanted to conduct my life. Immediately after receiving my MSc qualification, I began working as a Specialist Mentor, providing mental and emotional support to students who are challenged by various disabilities, long-term conditions, and/or learning difficulties. When I studied for my undergraduate degree, I remember feeling that my mind was scattered. I had no notion of time management or prioritisation, struggled to study and focus, and lacked motivation for a proactive approach to preparation ahead of exams. I would end up not sleeping well, not eating the last two days before exams, and struggling to study.
Now, I understand that I needed guidance and support, and nowadays, someone does not need to spend years trying to change unhealthy beliefs and behaviours to healthy ones. You need the right support, tailored to your unique needs at that time. Hence, working with students holds a significant place in my heart. In my quest to develop as an individual and professional, I began studying the Person-Centred Approach (more commonly known as counselling). The counselling course was mind-blowing from a personal development perspective. I had to go back to therapy to process, challenge and integrate old, deeply ingrained beliefs. At a professional level, developing and applying the Person-Centred Approach made a significant difference; however, I soon identified a new obstacle: trauma. Hence, I studied and integrated a one-year Trauma-Informed and Somatic Psychotherapy course, which allowed for a thorough exploration of emotional experiences and their expression through somatic work. This approach enables a healthy and rapid process and integration of our lived experiences.
Studying Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapy was the cherry on top! I have always been fascinated by hypnotherapy, and I believe it would beautifully complement my set of skills to be able to offer a safe space and contain any challenges that one might bring into the therapeutic setting, thereby enhancing the process by deepening self-confidence and self-esteem through targeted suggestions that reach the core of being. I now possess well-rounded skills and professional expertise to support individuals in their transformative journeys. However, the most important thing is that I have grown significantly due to the extensive knowledge I’ve accumulated, which my high level of empathy and non-judgmental approach have enhanced. I am currently enrolled as a trainee counsellor studying at Level 5, and I am integrating the person-centred approach not only in my professional life but also in my personal one; it has become a lifestyle. I am happy to share this with anyone who might need a safe space to figure out ways to overcome emotional obstacles or to live well with daily challenges, such as managing stress, delivering a presentation, or navigating social, romantic, and family relationships.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I look forward to hearing your story!
Better Sleep Through the Mind-Body Connection
🌙 Better Sleep Through the Mind-Body Connection
Mind-Body Strategies for Restorative Sleep
By Monica Stanescu, Integrative Psychotherapist & Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapist
The Therapeutic Triad
💎www.therapeutictriad.com/booking
🌿 Why Anxiety Disrupts Sleep
“I am going to bed exhausted, but the mind won’t switch off. Thousands of thoughts spinning, muscles tighten, heart beats racing, waves of energy speeding through my body!”
The body is tired, but the nervous system is wired. When you experience anxiety, the body doesn’t distinguish between emotional worry and physical danger. The same ancient survival systems activate your fight-or-flight response — heart rate increases, breathing quickens, cortisol rises.
The result?
Your body is asking for safety while your mind keeps scanning for threats. Until that safety signal arrives, sleep remains wishful thinking.
Understanding how anxiety interacts with sleep is the first step toward healing. The second is learning how to use your mind-body connection to guide the system back to rest gently.
☀️ Stress, Cortisol, and the Circadian Rhythm
A good night's sleep helps your body regenerate and build strength to support you through the day. Sleep soothes the nervous system, clears distorted thinking, and nurtures emotional resilience.
Your body runs on a 24-hour internal clock—the circadian rhythm, regulating hormone release, temperature, digestion, and the sleep-wake cycle.
When balanced:
• Cortisol rises in the morning, giving you energy.
• Melatonin rises at night, signalling rest.
But anxiety flips this pattern! Constant mental “busyness” keeps cortisol high and your body “on alert.” Even when you feel tired, your nervous system may still whisper: “It’s not safe to switch off.”
⚖️ The Role of the Nervous System
The sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest) systems are like two sides of a seesaw. Anxiety tips the balance toward the sympathetic side.
Sleep requires parasympathetic dominance — slowing heart rate, deepening breath, softening muscles.
To restore that balance, you must communicate safety to the body, not just the mind.
🕯️ Sleep Hygiene: Foundations for Rest
Healthy sleep hygiene means finding realistic rhythms that work with your life and responsibilities.
Challenges like chronic insomnia, trauma-related nightmares, or caregiving demands can create a cycle of exhaustion and anxiety. The less we sleep, the harder it becomes to manage thoughts and emotions.
If you wake in the night:
• Resist checking the clock.
• Focus on resting, not “trying” to sleep.
• Remind yourself: “Rest is still restorative.”
Reframing wakefulness as neutral (rather than catastrophic) reduces cortisol spikes and allows sleep to return naturally.
💎 Be honest with yourself: Gently ask what you need to rest and grow.
💎 Set consistent rhythms: Sleep and wake at similar times. Adjust gradually in 15-minute increments.
💎 Create a wind-down routine: Allow 90–120 minutes for the body to transition.
⚠️ Avoid stimulants within 8 hours of bedtime.
⚠️ Alcohol fragments sleep and increases anxiety later in the night.
⚠️ Limit naps to 45 minutes to prevent grogginess.
🪶 Tip: Journal in the late afternoon — not right before bed — to prevent emotional activation.
🌸 Somatic Strategies for Calming the Body
Somatic approaches help the body feel safe, which quiets the mind.
1. Tension Release Breathing
Place one hand on your chest, one on your abdomen. Inhale slowly through your nose, letting your belly rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth, letting it fall. This calms the heart rate and lowers stress hormones.
2. Body Tapping or Light Touch (Self-Hug)
Use light, rhythmic tapping along your arms or collarbone. This gentle motion discharges tension and re-centres awareness in the body.
Quietly repeat: “I’m safe in this moment.”
💫 Hypnosis-Based Sleep Strategies
Hypnosis helps the mind reach a deeply relaxed state where new, restorative patterns can form.
1. Positive Sleep Suggestions
Replace anxious self-talk with calm affirmations:
• “My body knows how to rest.”
• “Each breath takes me deeper into calm.”
• “It’s safe to let go.”
2. Short Bedtime Relaxation Script
“As you lie comfortably, take a slow breath in… and a long breath out.
Feel your body softening — the weight supported beneath you.
Imagine your feet, legs, and shoulders growing heavy and calm.
A soft light of calm surrounds you — steady, gentle, peaceful.
Each breath deepens your rest. You are safe. You are resting. Sleep comes naturally to you.”
Record this in your own voice or replay it nightly for support.
🌙 A Personal Note
Before bed, I often use breathing, self-hypnosis, or watch documentaries about the stars and universe.
Sleep challenges are not easy — but they are manageable. My understanding of sleep grew from my own long journey through struggle and self-compassion.
Even now, I have nights when I “drop the ball.” The difference is that I no longer shame myself — I begin again, gently.
That’s what healing looks like: steady, compassionate, and human.
💎 “You have it in you; it just takes the right support, space, and guidance.”
💎 You Deserve Rest – and Support
These are general guidelines. For deeper or complex situations, talk with a therapist who understands your unique obstacles.
“A problem shared is a problem halved.”
Support is always available — and everyone can shine with the right care.
That’s why I offer 25% off for those facing financial or particular emotional challenges.
Warmly,
Monica Stanescu
Integrative Psychotherapist & Cognitive-Behavioural Hypnotherapist
💎 The Therapeutic Triad
