ANA BACIU
Restoring the Foundations for Growth and Wellbeing
When life feels like a constant struggle with regulation, focus, or emotional distress, it is easy to feel that you have run out of options. For over 16 years, I have supported children, adults, and families through the complexities of neurodiversity, trauma, and mental health.
My journey to this work began with a deep academic and clinical foundation, holding a BA (Hons) in Social Work, a Master’s degree in Delinquency and Social Intervention, and a Post-Qualifying Diploma from Bournemouth University.
My early career was rooted in the realities of frontline social work and statutory services. Supporting families in crisis and working alongside multidisciplinary teams like CAMHS, I saw first-hand the impact of anxiety, attachment difficulties, and complex trauma. However, I noticed a recurring pattern: many individuals continued to struggle despite accessing high-level interventions. This realization changed my trajectory. I saw that when the nervous system is under strain, progress in traditional therapy or education often hits a "neurological ceiling."
To better serve these families, I expanded my clinical toolkit, training in Counselling, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Life Coaching. Yet, it was my search for the "root cause" of these barriers that led me to the field of neurodevelopment.
I had the privilege of training and apprenticing under Bob Allen, the renowned pioneer in the field of neurodevelopmental therapy. Working alongside Bob at Access Potential Clinic, I witnessed the transformative power of his methods. My commitment to clinical excellence led me to further consolidate my practice through training with INPP (The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology), the international gold standard for reflex integration set up in the 70's in UK and also Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Therapy ( BRMT)
TODAY, as a fully qualified and insured Neurodevelopmental Therapist, a Johansen Sound Therapy specialist (JIAS), and a Ronnie Gardiner Method (RGM) provider, I bridge the gap between clinical experience and neurological support. I believe that challenges like ADHD, anxiety, or learning delays are often not signs of failure, but indicators that the nervous system needs a specific kind of organization to thrive.
I work with a gentle, structured, and developmentally respectful approach honouring the individual within the context of their family. Whether working in person in Basingstoke and Portsmouth, or supporting clients online, my goal remains the same: to help you build the foundation for lasting, meaningful change.
I grew up in the enchanting region of Transylvania, Romania, famous for its stunning landscapes and rich history. While this backdrop seemed perfect, my personal experience was filled with challenges that shaped who I am today.
From my earliest years at school, I struggled with aspects of neurodevelopmental immaturity that, at the time, had no name. I developed nervous tics, found it difficult to sustain attention and focus, and my memory often felt unreliable. No matter how hard I studied, my grades didn’t reflect my efforts.
I remember feeling devastated, not because I didn’t try, but because I poured everything into my work and still felt like I was falling short. I could understand concepts deeply, yet when it came to recalling information or sitting an exam, my mind would simply freeze.
Unfortunately, this pattern followed me even into higher education. I received scholarships for strong academic performance throughout university, yet my final exams were profoundly disappointing.
Over time, my confidence eroded. I questioned my competence. I missed opportunities. I never openly showed these struggles, but internally I moved through cycles of withdrawal, anxiety, and impulsive reactions. I kept going, continued my education, and achieved externally but at a great personal cost: my wellbeing and my emotional stability.
But everything changed when I found neurodevelopmental therapy. Discovering Bob Allen’s work and watching the documentary “Attention Please” ( available on Amazon Prime), was one of the most profound moments of my life as everything made sense. I realised that it was not a personal failure, a lack of intelligence or effort. It was as though, all those years I had been asking a younger version of myself to perform adult-level demands.
The relief was immense.
Undergoing my own neurodevelopmental programme allowed me to experience, first-hand, what happens when the nervous system is finally supported to mature rather than compensate. The changes were not just cognitive, but emotional and relational. I became more focused, more regulated, more present, and more aligned with my true capabilities. Looking back, I now understand why I was always drawn to supporting others. Even during my hardest years, I could clearly see the potential in people around me often long before they could see it themselves. This work is not something I chose randomly; it is something that grew organically from my own lived experience. Today, my practice is rooted not only in professional training, but in deep empathy and understanding. I know what it feels like to try harder than everyone else and still fall short. I also know what becomes possible when the right foundations for growth are finally in place. This is why I’m committed to this work: to help others discover their potential and restore the foundations for their well-being.