My approach

I am a fully qualified humanistic integrative counsellor and psychotherapist with a diverse range of therepeutic experience.

My therapeutic approach draws from both the Humanistic and Psychodynamic schools of thought in dealing with issues of change or acceptance, and I draw on a number of approaches and styles of counselling to help clients explore and resolve their problems, and to achieve their goals and aspirations. These include Person-centred, Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Existential, Transactional Analysis and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles.

People enter into counselling or psychotherapy for many different reasons – each person’s issues are unique, and so my focus is always on the individual and what they bring to the counselling room.

How I work

Clients usually attend weekly, 50-minute sessions, at an agreed time each week (some flexibility available). I also offer online and telephone sessions, and currently work with clients around the UK and in other countries, including Pakistan, Canada and Kenya. I offer both short (6-12 sessions) and longer-term counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples and families. Every client’s experience is unique and individual. Therefore, as part of our initial session, we will discuss and agree how we might continue working together.

Qualifications and experience

I graduated with BA (Hons) and have since gone onto to study Counselling Skills (OCR), Counselling Studies (CPCAB Level 3), Therapeutic Counselling (CPCAB Advanced Level 4 Diploma) and Humanistic Integrative Counselling (CPCAB Advanced Diploma).

I have been working as a counsellor in the voluntary sector since 2006, and as a counsellor and psychotherapist in private practice since early 2009. For the past 17 years I have worked within the NHS as a trainer in mental health and communication – working alongside patients, doctors, consultants and psychiatrists.

I also work regularly with counselling and psychotherapy students, both in classroom and in therapeutic settings. Aside from working as a core tutor on the CPCAB Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, I continue to guest lecture on various counselling/psychotherapy courses in the UK and abroad.

Other experience includes working as a resident psychotherapist at TherapyWorks Detox Centre in Pakistan, and as a resident children’s counsellor in various UK schools. As a group therapist I have facilitated art and drama therapy workshops, therapeutic groups for LGBTQ organisations, and therapeutic groups for dealing with issues around eating disorders, anxiety/stress and self-harm.

Over the years, some of the issues I have helped clients explore and resolve are:

• stress and anxiety (including panic attacks)
• depression
• relationship difficulties/couples counselling
• self-esteem and confidence
• psychosexual, physical and emotional intimacy
• sexuality – LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Psychotherapy
• gender – LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Psychotherapy
• sexual, physical and emotional abuse
• personal relationships
• loss and bereavement
• addiction
• communication difficulties
• family and mediation
• work and career
• health and well-being
• coping with change and transition
• eating disorders
• obsessive-compulsive behaviours/disorders
• anger management
• divorce
• religion
• dealing with redundancy
• self-harm