Kalpna Hirani

Quietly struggling inside while coping on the outside? I'm Kalpna Hirani, a BACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist in Rickmansworth (WD3), Watford and online across the UK. I work with adults (18+), couples, families and professionals who may appear capable and seem to be coping and functioning well on the outside, yet internally feel overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, or affected by unresolved trauma, family issues or relationship challenges. I offer in-person and online therapy for anxiety, trauma, EMDR, couples therapy and relationship difficulties.  I have experience supporting people with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma and complex trauma (including PTSD, CPTSD, abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and relational trauma), as well as sleep difficulties and neurodivergence related issues such as ADHD and autism.

I offer a confidential space that respects both your professional reality and your emotional depth, make sense of what’s happening beneath the surface and move forward with greater clarity and steadiness. Whether you are seeking EMDR for PTSD or Couples Therapy for relationship difficulties, I offer a unique perspective, combining specialist clinical training from the Tavistock and Portman with 30 years of experience in high pressure corporate environments.

I offer in-person therapy at a professionally designed wellness centre as well as online therapy across the UK and internationally.

Most practical information, including my approach, fees and how I work, is available on my website [www.wellness-thinking.com] and this Counselling Directory profile. If you have any questions after reading through that information, please do let me know.

I work with a wide range of difficulties. As an anxiety, trauma and relationship specialist in Rickmansworth and online, I support clients across Hertfordshire, London and the UK with:

• Anxiety including Generalised anxiety disorder, panic, social anxiety, OCD & Overthinking/intrusive thoughts
• Trauma including PTSD, CPTSD, childhood bereavement, neglect, abuse and sexual abuse
• Family issues, couples therapy and relationship difficulties 
• Depression, Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Self criticism, loneliness, feeling disconnected and hopelessness
• Neurodiversity: support for Autism, ADHD and Dyspraxia
• Anger management, stress, work related pressures and burnout
• Sleep difficulties
• Life transitions, men’s and women’s issues including menopause, loss of purpose, shifting roles
• Expat and multicultural challenges
• Student life pressures

Therapy isn’t just for “Serious” problems
Sometimes talking to someone like a therapist can help you understand your reactions better and make it easier to handle situations that feel frustrating. It can be interesting to explore why certain things feel upsetting. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. A lot of people use therapy just to get perspective on everyday feelings. It’s not just for serious problems. It might be worth trying, even just to see if it gives you a fresh perspective. It can be surprisingly helpful. 

My Approach
I offer a relational approach tailored to you, meaning at the heart of my work is the relationship we build together. My approach values your voice and experience. Feeling genuinely seen, heard and understood creates the foundation for meaningful change. Many clients tell me that this sense of being truly listened to helps them take the first steps towards lasting change.

With this ethos in mind, my work is grounded in the Person-Centred approach, meaning I prioritise empathy, authenticity and creating a safe therapeutic relationship. From this basis, I integrate:

• EMDR, an evidence based approach trauma therapy for PTSD, complex PTSD, and relational trauma.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), practical strategies for managing anxiety and stress.
• Systemic and Couples Therapy which helps identify and shift repetitive relational patterns.
• Transactional Analysis (TA) to explore how you communicate and relate to others.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help you understand the different, sometimes conflicting, parts of you.
• Psychodynamic and neuroscience informed approaches to help understand the deeper roots of your experiences and how your brain responds to stress.

I can also offer CBT and EMDR as a stand alone.

Having had extensive training and experience, allows me to offer a flexible client focused approach that is responsive to your needs. I bring a unique blend of 30 years in high pressure corporate finance and specialist clinical training from the Tavistock and Portman, allowing me to offer therapy that considers the logistical pressures of a professional life and the systemic complexities of a personal one.

I prioritise offering a calm, relaxed and compassionate space where you can be yourself and feel supported. I pay close attention to how safe and steady you're feeling, adjusting our work so its at a pace that feels manageable and right for you.

Some clients begin with practical tools to ease anxiety or regulate stress. Others choose to explore deeper emotional, relational or trauma patterns. Wherever we start, we work collaboratively and at a pace that feels comfortable.

Because I work integratively and collaboratively, there isn't a standard pathway that every client follows. Two clients with similar difficulties may experience therapy quite differently because I tailor the work to the individual rather than following a standard formula. My aim is not to fit you into a therapy model, but to adapt therapy to fit you.

Why choose me

Clients often tell me they value that I take time to build trust and emotional safety, help them understand their reactions without judgement, balance emotional depth with practical strategies and adapt therapy to how they are feeling in the moment. 

With over 10 years’ clinical experience, including within the NHS, I’ve supported individuals, couples and families from diverse cultural and international backgrounds. I’ve gain experience in supporting people with a wide range of issues including neurodivergent experience. I recognise that every client is unique and my flexible approach ensures that therapy is personalised, empowering and practical.

Before retraining as a therapist, I spent over 30 years in finance and consulting. This enables me to understand work related stress, high responsibility roles and the pressures faced by professionals.

I also bring experience of living and working abroad and relocation, which informs my work with expat and multicultural clients.

Therapy with me isn’t about being “fixed” or told what to do. It’s about understanding yourself more deeply, reconnecting with your strengths, and learning new ways to cope with life’s challenges. Together, we can explore emotions such as anger, guilt, shame, sadness, or fear in a contained and manageable way, helping you feel calmer, more grounded, and better able to navigate your life.

Our work can help you build resilience, confidence, and self-worth, letting go of what you cannot control and finding healthier ways to respond to stress, relationships, and emotional challenges.

Location & Online Therapy
I offer in-person therapy at a professional multi-disciplinary wellness centre in Rickmansworth (WD3) near Watford, Hertfordshire, Its just minutes from Rickmansworth station and a short drive from the M25, junction 18. I see clients from Watford, Croxley Green, Chorleywood, Northwood, Ruislip, Pinner, Harrow, Stanmore, Amersham and Chesham and all over Hertfordshire, Hillingdon, Harrow and Buckinghamshire.

I also offer telephone and online therapy for clients across the UK, Europe and internationally.

Taking the first step
Reaching out for therapy can feel overwhelming and daunting especially if you've been coping on your own for a long time or talking about your struggles feels unfamiliar. That's completely natural. Therapy offers a safe, non-judgemental space where growth often begins through gentle curiosity and self-exploration. You don’t have to face difficult times alone, you can talk to me. Its OK. We can get through this together. Whatever issues you are facing, I will strive to support and work with you to find a way forward.

If something here resonates and you feel ready to start therapy with me, I'd love to hear from you. I offer a 50 minutes paid for assessment session so we can get a sense of each other and an opportunity for you to any questions you may have to help you find the right therapist. This session gives time to talk about your situation in detail, explore your concerns and decide whether therapy with me is the right fit. When you're ready, I'm here.

 If you’re going through a difficult time right now or simply feel that something isn’t quite right, then take that first step and give me a call. You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable. Sometimes reaching out sooner can help you feel supported and understood. I totally understand that the first call to say you need therapy can be hard. But give it a go. Just call me. I understand. I’m here to help. Just contact me to book a 50 minutes paid for assessment session and from here we decide if we are comfortable with the idea of working together!   If you don't even try you will never know.

NOTE: All new clients begin with a paid 50 minutes consultation session. I do not offer free introductory or discovery calls. Detailed information about my approach, fees, and the therapies I offer can be found on this page and my website.

You can find more information about my work and approach on my website:
https://www.wellness-thinking.com

When you’re ready, I’m here.

Quote from my social media posts

"Many people who have experienced trauma become very good at functioning — at appearing capable, calm, and in control. But underneath, they are often exhausted by the effort of holding everything together. If this resonates, you are not weak for struggling. You are someone who has been carrying too much for too long." - unknown

• Cultural and expat issues — supporting international clients, expats and multicultural individuals navigating identity, relocation and belonging.
• Premarital and relationship therapy — helping couples build a strong foundation or work through conflict before or after marriage.
• Couples and family therapy — using systemic and EMDR approaches to improve communication and connection.

I offer flexible session timings for in-person and online therapy, including evening and weekend slots to fit your schedule. My Rickmansworth practice is conveniently located for clients in Hertfordshire, Watford, and surrounding areas.

Onboarding Process

My onboarding process begins with a free 10 mins time boundaried intro telephone call, followed by a 50 mins paid for assessment. During this 10 mins call we will confirm appointment availability and ensure you are familiar with the onboarding process. Before the introductory call, please read the information about:

• My therapeutic approach
• Session fees
• Session frequency - Please note that I work with clients on a weekly basis and do not currently offer less frequent sessions. 
• Reduced fee spaces are reserved for clients receiving job seekers allowance or Universal Credit. My currently allocated reduced fee spaces are currently full and I am unable to offer additional subsidised places at present. 

Please note that the 10 minutes call is not designed to:

• Honestly predict in advance whether therapy will “work” for you or be "right for you". Therapy is a collaborative and exploratory process. It is not possible to fully determine in advance whether it will “definitely work” for a particular person, as this depends on many factors, including the therapeutic relationship itself.
• Describe therapy in a fixed, detailed way because it’s collaborative and emergent
• Describe in detail the formulation or therapeutic approach/technique i will likely use when you work with me.
• Explore personal history or current difficulties in depth
  Offer therapeutic advice or formulation of your situation

The 10 mins call is to talk about logistics. If you are looking for a fuller understanding of your difficulties and how therapy might help, this is best explored in the 50 mins assessment session. 

The first 50 mins paid for consultation session offers gentle, unhurried space for us to meet, a chance for you to share, in your own words and at your own pace, what has brought you to therapy and what you're hoping our work together might offer.

Over 50 minutes, we'll explore what's been on your mind, the thoughts, feelings or experiences you're carrying. There's no pressure to share more than you feel ready to. This is your space, and you are always in control of what you bring to it.

This session is also an opportunity for us to find our footing with each other. Feeling safe and comfortable with your therapist matters deeply and I want you to leave with a real sense of who I am and how I work. Please bring any questions you have, I'm here to answer them openly and honestly.

If, at the end of our time together, we both feel it's the right fit, we'll begin to think about the focus and direction of our work going forward.

There's no obligation, and no expectation, just an open door.

NOTE: All new clients begin with a paid 50 minutes consultation session. I do not offer free introductory or discovery calls. Detailed information about my approach, fees, and the therapies I offer can be found on this page and my website.

Format of sessions I offer and fees

RATES per individual sessions per 50 minutes session. 

£67.50 per session for online/telephone sessions (weekdays, 10-4pm). 
£80.50 for in-person sessions (weekdays, 10-4pm) 
£77.50 for evening online sessions.
£90 for weekend in-person sessions.

RATES for couple therapy per 50 minutes session (Longer couples sessions may be available by arrangement.)

£105/ session via video app during weekdays between 10am - 4pm
£115/ session via video app after 4pm. 
£120/ session, in-person during weekdays 10am - 4pm
£140/ session for weekend in-person 10am -1pm

Longer couples and family therapy sessions may be available by arrangement.
Please note: I do not offer in-person evening sessions.