Samia Quddus
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Central to my therapeutic approach is providing healthy counselling where a compassionate and non-judgemental contained space enables you to feel accepted, seen and heard. I understand the complexities that many South Asian, Black, and Ethnic communities may experience with mental health support. I employ a culturally and faith-sensitive approach in all my work.
Why You Might be Here
Exploring emotional histories, life experiences, gaining better awareness of self, navigating testing times are some of the reasons why people seek therapy. For children and adolescents, having an empathic and listening presence can be all that they need. Whatever your reasons for counselling, working with me, you will find a warm and safe space that is personalised to your needs and draws on your inner resourcefulness.
How I Work
Therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach and as such I employ diverse therapeutic techniques to tailor counselling to client needs. My counselling approach is integrative, meaning I draw on various models underpinned by psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, person centred, CBT, neuroscience, play therapy, art creativity and talk therapy theories to offer a flexible counselling service.
Steps to Start
Step A: I offer a no obligation, free 15 minute telephone consultation to briefly explore why you might be seeking counselling.
Step B: A face-to-face consultation allows us to explore your reasons for seeking therapy, any questions you may have as well as to ensure that both you and I feel comfortable to work together. If I am not the best fit for you, I will recommend someone else. This meeting is 50 minutes and is not a therapeutic session.
Location
I am based in North London, within a 10-15 minute walk from two local Underground stations. Counselling takes place in a comfortable and informal setting. Parking is free after 6.30pm on weekdays. The room is equipped for creative and play therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
Samia Quddus, MBACP, PGDip, CCATP, SEMH Spc., PGCert
I am a fully qualified therapist and Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Specialist. As a Registered Member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP), I adhere to their code of conduct and ethical framework. I am fully insured and registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), possessing an Enhanced DBS check.
Experience
In addition to my therapist role, I am a Specialist Practitioner in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) area of Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH). Combining my initial profession as a primary school teacher and more recent role as a school clinician, I have over 15 years of experience.
Private Practice - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Adult Therapist:
In my private practice, I see clients of various ages and backgrounds commonly exploring issues related to family systems, family related abuse, family and in-law dynamics, relationships, school pressures, relocation transitions, anxiety and depression. I also provide parent/ carer support.
School Clinician:
I have substantial experience working with children and adolescents. Currently, I manage and oversee the counselling provision at a secondary school in Waltham Forest supporting pupils with emotional challenges, on occasions in partnership with NHS professionals, Social Services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Weekly sessions explore client-led issues ranging from anxiety, self-harm, exam pressures, peer issues and parent-child dynamics. In primary school, I work with children across Key Stage 1 and 2 employing creative and play therapeutic practices.
Nour Domestic Violence (NDV) Non-Profit Women's Support Service:
I have therapeutic counselling experience working with South Asian women aged 20 and above supporting them with trauma, abuse and domestic violence-related issues.
Youth and Young Adult Non-Profit Counselling Service:
I have worked with adults experiencing abuse, domestic violence, trauma, stress, anxiety, bereavement, low self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal ideation and interpersonal relationship difficulties.
I lecture/ teach on the Postgraduate Diploma for Counselling Children in Schools at Place2be, one of the UK’s leading children’s mental health charity. I have published in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Children, Young People and Families magazine and appear as TV Mental Health Expert on Islam Channel.
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma Level 7 - Counselling Children and Adolescents in Schools - UEL/Place2Be
- Postgraduate Certificate - Social, Emotional and Mental Health - University of Birmingham
- BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS - Middlesex University
- Level 3 Certificate in - Counselling Skills for Working with Children - Place2Be
- Certificate of completion: Online Therapy Telehealth CPD Training: Moving Your Practice Online
- Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional CCATP
- Certificate of Completion: Islamic Approaches To Psychology and Psychotherapy Level One, Professor Rasjid Skinner, Ihsaan
- An Islamic Approach to the Treatment of OCD, IIDR
- CPD & Certificate of Completion: Neurodiversity in Girls, The Sunflower Network
- Trauma and the Body: Somatisation and Dissociation, Carolyn Spring
- CPD: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Anger Management, TLA
- CPD: Enactments & Psychotherapy, Dr Javier Castillo
- CPD: Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy and Mentalising, Dr Javier Castillo
- CPD: Building the Bonds of Attachment: Awakening Love in Deeply Traumatised Children, Dr Dan Hughes,
- CPD: Emotionally Regulating Our Students, Dr Karen Treisman
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
£70.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
50 minute one-to-one counselling sessions are charged at £70. Counselling may be long or short term, though I recommend a minimum of 6 sessions.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
Further information
Initial Consultation
A free, 15 - 20 minute telephone consultation gives you an opportunity to ask any questions and arrange an assessment.
Adolescents and Adults Assessment:
This is longer, and can take up to 50 minutes either in-person or online via zoom. An assessment consultation is made prior to any counselling work - this is an opportunity to gain a background history and form an understanding of presenting difficulties. In the assessment we explore your reasons for seeking therapy, any questions you may have as well as to ensure that if you decide to go ahead with therapy, you or your family member feel comfortable to work with me.
Working with Parents/ Carers:
I welcome working in partnership with parents/ carers. Once counselling commences, regular consultations ensure that the young client's needs and goals are kept in mind. Discussions can address progress, areas of difficulty and practical strategies to support parents/ carers.
