Indira Chima
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Are you struggling with a difficulty in your life and need some help?
Are you suffering with anxiety or depression?
Would you like to improve your personal and professional relationships?
Hello. I’m Indira and I run The Counselling Living Room® in Markyate, near St Albans where I offer space to talk so you can work through your difficulties in complete confidence.
The Counselling Living Room® is based in rural Hertfordshire. It is a private counselling service founded on clinical excellence informed by up-to-date research.
As an experienced therapist, I’m passionate about my work as well as the long term benefits of 'talking therapies' and am committed to making a difference to my clients' lives.
My counselling experience is diverse and includes:-
- Relationship Issues
- Couple Counselling
- Anxiety & Depression
- Bereavement Counselling
- Work Stress
- Self Harm
- Low Self-esteem
- Addictions
- Disordered Eating
- Abuse
- Personal Development
- General Counselling
- Coaching
I help clients overcome issues such as self harm, addictions, disordered eating and the emotional trauma caused by abuse. I work with individuals and also help couples learn how to communicate and not just talk.
My own experience tells me that the world can be a pretty stressful place and that our daily lives can sap us emotionally and physically as we attempt to juggle our work and personal lives. This is amplified with the challenges we face today in an ever-changing world. It's this personal experience, combined with my knowledge of the business world and specialist training, which have combined to make me the therapist I am ie. down-to-earth, forward-thinking and solution-focused.
I'm Master's level, Accredited with the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and adhere to their professional Code of Practice and Ethical Framework. I have further training in couple counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and am working towards a coaching qualification. Enhanced DBS available on request.
I'm a firm believer in working with the whole 'person' and not the 'label' and this lays the foundation for the way I work. My counselling sessions don't involve you lying on a couch, looking at ink blots or answering awkward questions about your sex life! I'm a thoroughly modern practitioner and am dedicated to providing counselling in a straightforward, contemporary and relaxed setting.
If you would like an informal chat about your work life, pressures at home or in your head then pick up the phone or drop me an email or text. I promise you listening ears, empathetic advice and total confidentiality! 
Training, qualifications & experience
- Working towards EMCC Global Accredited Senior Practitioner in Coaching.
- BACP Accredited Member (046496) - 2023
- Master's degree in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling - University of Hertfordshire (UoH) - 2013
- Post-Graduate Diploma (Pg Dip) in Contemporary Therapeutic Counselling - University of Hertfordshire (UoH) - 2010-2012
- University Diploma in Counselling - University of Hertfordshire (UoH) - 2007-2009
- Certificate in Couples Counselling
- CBT Key Knowledge & Skills - The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT)
- BA (Hons) (non counselling related) Business qualification - 1993
Member organisations
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.
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Zoom Counselling
Zoom counselling allows you to see your therapist in the comfort of your own home or place of choice. It's convenient for clients with busy lives or working from home as well as parents of young children.
I use secure end-to-end encrypted video-conferencing via Zoom and work flexibly around your diary.
Zoom Counselling is as effective as counselling in person with some clients experiencing faster, deeper results. We can meet online, in person or use a hybrid of both.
Payment is simple. I will send you an invoice after our session, which you settle via bank card using a secure payment link.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£85.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
- £85 Individual Counselling - 50 minutes
- £95 Couple Counselling - 1 hour
I use modern banking methods eg. Apple Pay, Card, Contactless.
I am recognised by AVIVA, AXA, CIGNA, VITALITY + WPA. Check counselling is covered in your policy and obtain an authorisation number. Due to data protection, I will need basic policy details and contact info so I can verify details with your insurer.
When I work
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Daytime sessions, Wednesday and Thursday day and evening sessions + Friday and Saturday mornings also available.
Further information
- My comfortable studio is tucked away on the outskirts of the village of Markyate (postcode AL3 8Q) close to the M1 (2 miles from junctions 9/10) + A5183 and within easy reach of Harpenden, St Albans, Luton, Dunstable, Watford and North West London. (Full address will be sent when appointment is confirmed.)
- Your counselling sessions will take place in a modern and stylish environment which reflects my way of working ie. straightforward, contemporary and relaxed. The rural location and private off-street parking offer you privacy and convenience.
- My studio is ventilated and spacious allowing for a healthy environment if you are happy to meet in person. Surfaces continue to be sanitised and hand-sanitiser is available.
- For more information about the way I work and what to expect, visit my website: www.thecounsellinglivingroom.co.uk
