Ansaa

I know that choosing a therapist can feel daunting. You may be wondering whether you'll feel understood, whether your experiences will be taken seriously, or whether therapy will actually feel helpful rather than overwhelming. My aim is to offer a space that feels calm, authentic, compassionate and culturally-sensitive where you can be heard without having to explain or justify yourself.

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I'm a qualified psychotherapist with a Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, and I'm an accredited registered member of the National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), which means I have a strong understanding of how trauma can affect emotional wellbeing, relationships, and daily life - and this informs the way I work in therapy. I regularly engage in continuing professional development (CPD) and clinical supervision to ensure my work is thoughtful, responsive, and grounded in ethical best practice. 

 

​As I work online, I've completed specialist training in online and telephone counselling. This supports me to offer therapy that remains attentive, well-boundaried, and emotionally connected within an online setting. It also means being mindful of safety, confidentiality, and how presence and attunement translate through the screen - so therapy still feels grounded, human, and supportive. 

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My work is rooted in a person-centred, integrative, and trauma-informed approach. I specialise in supporting individuals affected by trauma, including childhood trauma, as well as addiction, including alcohol, and substance use. I also work with a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, low mood, women's issues, relationship or family difficulties such as navigating cultural or family expectations. 

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I work in a trauma-informed way, paying close attention to safety, choice, and emotional boundaries. Therapy is paced around what feels manageable for you, helping you make sense of your experiences and take steps towards positive change. We go gently, with care and respect for your nervous system, your history, and your capacity at any given time. 

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I'm particularly aware of the pressures that can arise within family systems, cultural expectations, marriage dynamics, and generational roles. This includes the experiences of those born here to immigrant parents, or those navigating life between cultures. I aim to offer therapy that is culturally sensitive and anti-oppressive, recognising how wider social, cultural, and systemic factors can impact wellbeing, identity, and relationships. 

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As someone with a Pakistani heritage, I bring lived understanding of how culture, faith, family expectations, and gender roles can intersect in complex ways. This can be particularly significant for women navigating unspoken rules, responsibilities, or pressures around cultural or racial identity, relationships, and choice. I hold this with care and humility, recognising that each person's experience is unique - while also offering space to explore these dynamics without judgement, assumptions, or the need to explain cultural context from scratch.

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I work with individuals as well as couples, families, and other significant relationships. At the heart of my work is an understanding that relationships - past and present - shape how we see ourselves and how safe we feel in the world. 

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I understand how hard it can be to hold everything together while carrying the weight of expectations, responsibilities, or past experiences.

 

Therapy doesn't require you to have everything figured out. If you're feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or simply curious about what support might look like, we can start from where you are. ​​​