Aisha Otaru
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Sometimes, knowing how or what we are feeling, or why we feel a certain way can be confusing and there are times when we know exactly what feels pressing. Knowing where to start in resolving some of these difficulties can prove challenging and overwhelming, impacting on your relationships, including the relationship you have with yourself. You may experience this as;
- Low self esteem
- Anxiety
- Conflict
- Sexual issues
- Disconnect
- Inner critic
- Loneliness
- Uncertainty
- Procrastination
- Feeling stuck
- Unwanted patterns of behaviours
- Sleep problems
- Racing thoughts
- Anger
- Low mood
Therapy is personal and intimate, focusing on your emotional and relational needs. Through discussion and careful exploration you will have the opportunity to safely process, reflect and make better sense of what feels salient to you. Therapy can provide you with tools and strategies to better manage life’s challenges and relational difficulties. Therapy is a great opportunity to recognise and understand just how resourceful you are. The work we do together will be supportive and collaborative, enabling us to work towards the outcome you desire.
So that you feel seen, heard, valued and understood, I offer a relaxed and pragmatic approach within a therapeutic relationship based on;
- Equality
- Inclusiveness
- Openness
- Confidentiality
- Compassion
I have vast experience working with all aspects of difference, such as;
- Ethnicity
- Cultural
- Sexuality
- Gender
- Abilities
- Class
- Life stages
- Religion
- Neurodivergence
I support people from all walks of life on a variety of experienced difficulties, for example;
- Trauma
- Sexual abuse
- Work stress
- Bereavement
- Conflict resolution
- Relational needs/issues
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Identity
- Sexuality
- Addiction
- Childhood adversity
- Transitions
- Relationships
I offer effective therapy within different dynamics, such as;
- Individual
- Couples/multi partnerships
- Parental relationships
- Siblings
- Work colleagues
Fully invested in my role as a counsellor I undertake continuous professional and personal development training, to ensure I offer you best practice with current, safe and effective therapy. Some of my most recent training has included;
-Brainspotting (working towards accreditation) “where we look affects how we feel” https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/
-Imago Relationship Therapy (continuous professional development) “from conflict to hope” https://harvilleandhelen.com/initiatives/what-is-imago/
-Couples and Relationship Counselling (Continuous professional development)
-The Rewind Technique for phobias and trauma
-Certified Youth Mental Health Instructor
I am a Person Centred therapist offering an integrative approach which may include various methods and tools, for example;
- Brainspotting
- Brief therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Single session therapy
- Solution focused
- Mediation
- Trauma informed therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Mindfulness
- Imago therapy
- Compassion therapy
I am employed part time as a Student Counsellor for a local university. I have worked as a Youth Mental Health Instructor, Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, Support Worker for the Independent Inquiry to Child Sexual Abuse and have a special interest in the way that sexual behaviours can impact on you and your life.
I have a firm understanding, personally and professionally for those who identify as being from a minority group and appreciate the potential discomfort and impact this can have on the sense of self. I offer a space free of harmful judgments and attitudes and welcome all difference seen or unseen. The opportunity to explore your sense of self in what can sometimes feel like a limiting world.
If you have any questions about me and the way I practice, please do get in touch, I’d be happy to answer any queries.
My personal pronouns; She/Her/Hers
Concessions available
Training, qualifications & experience
My qualifications include;
- Certified Youth Awareness Mental Health Instructor- Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
- The Survivors Trust – Independent Sexual violence Advisor Training, Level 4 Diploma.
- University of Derby - BSc (Hons) in Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy.
- Edge Hill University – Foundation Degree in Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy.
- Preston’s College – Diploma in Person Centred Counselling, level 3.
- Preston’s College – Certificate in Counselling Skills level 2.
- Preston’s College – Certificate in Mental Health Awareness level 1&2 (Including understanding stress, Anxiety and Depression)
Training
- ASIST- Suicide First Aid
- Certificate; Phobia and Trauma Technique- Rewind Technique.
- Certificate; Skills in Couples and Relationship Counselling.
- Certificate; Transactional Analysis 101.
- Certificate; Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Awareness.
- Certificate; Harm-ed Self Harm Awareness Training and Consultancy.
- Sexual trauma work shop.
- Certificate; Sexual Health, Blood Born Viruses and HIV Awareness.
- Trauma, the Brain and Recovery.
- Needle Exchange and Harm Reduction.
- The impact of Sexual violence, Understanding Sexual Assault, Language, Needs and Myths.
- The Impact of Childhood Abuse.
- Helpline training and Active Listening.
- Neuroscience and Trauma.
- Supervision and Self Care.
- Trauma symptoms.
- Self-Harm Reduction.
- Transgender Training; LGBT Training.
- Making Every Contact Count.
- Safe Guarding Adults.
- Safe Guarding Children and Young People.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £65.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Free 30 minute consultation
£50 Individual
£65 Couples
When I work
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Further information
Now offering face to face sessions.
Online counselling available - working effectively via Zoom and Telephone sessions.
