Ioana Păunescu

About me

Ioana - the psychotherapist I am a psychotherapist trained in integrative psychotherapy, an approach I chose because it best reflects a core belief of mine: that each person is unique and deserves to be understood in their own context. Over the years, I have attended courses and studied independently across several schools of psychotherapy. I felt the need to look at human suffering from different perspectives, to grasp the subtleties of what is not always said directly but is expressed through relationships, emotional states, or inner blocks. My professional journey also includes a Master’s degree in psychoanalysis, which deepened my interest in the often unconscious dynamics of the human psyche—the invisible threads that connect our past, our inner experiences, and the ways we engage with the world. I believe this deeper, more contextual understanding can truly help in the long run: it clarifies present difficulties and offers a meaningful framework for change. This is why I choose to work in this direction—with patience, attunement to each person’s rhythm, and respect for the complexity of every story. In my work, I bring openness and genuine curiosity to whatever emerges in the therapeutic space—without ready-made formulas or preconceived ideas. I strongly believe that the therapeutic relationship—and, more broadly, any profound human relationship—carries a real potential for transformation. Ioana - the person I grew up learning to pay close attention to others—their emotions, moods, and subtle gestures. It was my way of navigating situations that were beyond my control. Over time, this sensitivity to the inner world of others has become both a genuine support and an essential resource for me. My professional life began in a very different field—tax consulting. There, I experienced the fast pace, constant demands, and advantages of a structured career. But gradually, I realized I wanted something else: a path more aligned with who I am and what truly interests me. That is how, step by step, I found my way to psychotherapy. It was both a return to myself and the conscious beginning of a new journey. Each stage I have gone through has shaped the way I work today—with empathy, without judgment, and with a sincere desire to understand the person in front of me. I feel that this journey has prepared me not only to be a psychotherapist, but to be truly present—with authenticity—wherever another person needs to be seen.