Fathiya Farah

Struggling with anxiety can be debilitating and it is a natural response to want to avoid facing what may be causing the anxiety. However, avoidance can make things worse over time. I have worked with clients that have felt hopeless in their anxiety and thought they had no way out. However, I am able to offer coping tools that will help you regulate and manage the anxiety. Once you feel safe managing difficult emotions then we would start unpacking the root causes of your anxiety which may be connected to current situations or unresolved past trauma. Additionally, I have experience working with clients that have struggled with low self-worth and shame and they presented with high levels anxiety and depression. 

I am an integrative counsellor, and my approach allows me to draw from different modalities such as Person Centred, Psychodynamic and Existentialism. This enables me to tailor therapeutic work around the client's individual needs. 

I believe the therapeutic relationship between a client and therapist is an essential part of the healing process in therapy. I value the therapeutic relationship as central to building trust and helping clients to reach their goals. I offer a calm, safe, warm and confidential space where clients can explore difficult life experiences. 

I am aware of the difficulty in making the decision to seek therapy and how overwhelming the process of finding the right therapist can be. It can be a lonely journey when you are feeling overwhelmed. Therapy provides clients with the opportunity of having someone to explore and help to make sense of their emotions and thoughts as well as learn healthy coping mechanisms to feel emotionally regulated and contained. 

It is important for us to work together in partnership to discover your answers and explanations to difficult situations whilst I will be supporting you provide therapeutic insight and offer psychoeducation to help you make sense of your dynamics. 

I am able to offer short and long-term therapy sessions depending on the client's emotional needs. As a counsellor, I have worked with adults struggling with various issues and young people in care as well as in schools. I have experience working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) as well as variety of mental health/emotional difficulties such as:

* Depression

* Anxiety (social & general)

* Abuse (physical & emotional) 

* Anger

* Trauma/ Complex trauma

* Stress

* Bullying

* Relationship difficulties

* Low self-esteem

* Low self-worth

* Self-harm

* Toxic shame

The initial consultation session is for 1 hour and this will give you the opportunity to ask me questions and for you to get a sense if we will be a good fit. This session will allow me to gain background information and get a sense of your needs. However, I can offer 10 minutes phone conversation free of charge to help you decide if you would like to book a consultation session. 

I offer 10-15 minutes free phone conversation when booking consultation or this can be done via emails. 

Concessions may be available to trainee counsellors, students and low-income clients. 

I am fully insured with a trusted insurance company which is available for clients to check in initial session if requested. 

I frequently engage with continuing professional development (CPD) courses to enhance my practice and better understand client's needs.