About me
Living with health anxiety, medical trauma, chronic illness or the emotional impact of a physical health condition can feel overwhelming and isolating. You may be struggling with uncertainty, fears about your health, changes in confidence, difficult emotions following diagnosis or surgery, or finding it hard to adjust to changes in your life.
I am Dr Harleen Mahal, an HCPC-registered Counselling Psychologist specialising in health psychology, health anxiety, medical trauma and adjustment to chronic illness and medical experiences. I support adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, adjustment difficulties or emotional distress related to illness, symptoms, medical procedures or significant changes in their health.
I offer a warm, confidential and collaborative space where we can explore your experiences, develop greater understanding and work towards meaningful change.
Alongside my private practice, I work within a specialist NHS gastroenterology and surgery psychology service at St Mark’s Hospital, supporting people living with complex health conditions, gastrointestinal difficulties, cancer, surgical experiences and the emotional impact of ongoing symptoms.
I particularly support people experiencing:
- Health anxiety and worries about symptoms returning
- Medical trauma following diagnosis, treatment, hospital experiences or surgery
- Adjustment to illness and changes in identity, independence or quality of life
- Chronic health conditions, including gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS and IBD
- Body image concerns following illness, surgery or changes in appearance
- Chronic pain, fatigue and the emotional impact of ongoing symptoms
- Anxiety, depression, low confidence and stress related to health challenges
I also support adults experiencing relationship difficulties, bereavement, life transitions, eating difficulties and other emotional challenges.
My approach draws on evidence-based therapies including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy and mindfulness approaches, tailored to your individual needs.
Training, qualifications & experience
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Doctorate in Counselling Psychology – University of Manchester
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Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Psychology – City University London
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HCPC Registered Counselling Psychologist
Clinical Experience
- Practitioner Psychologist, St Mark’s Hospital (Gastroenterology & Division of Surgery) – supporting adults with complex gastrointestinal conditions, colorectal cancer, pre- and post-surgical adjustment, stoma-related changes, health anxiety and the emotional impact of long-term health conditions.
- Clinical Health Psychology, Salford Royal Hospital – working across general medicine and physical health specialities, supporting people with anxiety, depression, trauma and adjustment to illness
- NHS Forensic setting – providing psychological therapy for trauma, PTSD, attachment and relationship difficulties
- Footsteps Counselling and Care – providing specialist psychological support for birth trauma, miscarriage, stillbirth, fertility difficulties, pregnancy-related challenges and the emotional impact of significant life transitions.
- CAMHS – supporting young people with anxiety, low mood, eating disorders, autism, ADHD and trauma
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
- Health psychology
- Medical trauma
- Adjustment to illness
- Fear of recurrence (fear of cancer/illness returning)
- Psychological support following surgery
- IBS / IBD (gastrointestinal health conditions)
- Body image after illness or surgery
- Living with chronic illness
- Emotional impact of physical health conditions
Therapies offered
Fees
£80.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Sessions last 50 minutes. Payment is due on the day of the session. Please get in touch to confirm current fees and availability. A limited number of reduced-fee sessions may be available.
When I work
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Further information
Whether you are struggling with anxiety, low mood, trauma, relationship difficulties, or simply feeling stuck, I aim to offer a non-judgemental space where we can make sense of your experiences together and work towards greater wellbeing and meaning.
