Sanaa Boukhanfer Baksh
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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
Hello! I'm Sanaa, and I want to acknowledge something important—starting therapy isn't always easy. That first step can feel daunting, and it's perfectly natural to have questions or uncertainties. You might be wondering if you're ready, unsure of where to begin, or feeling nervous about opening up to someone new. These feelings are shared by many, and they’re a normal part of the process. But even considering therapy is an act of courage. It’s a sign of strength to pause and reflect, to seek support when you need it. Therapy isn’t about weakness; it’s about investing in yourself and your growth.
In our sessions, we'll go at a pace that feels right for you. There’s no pressure and no rush—just a safe, welcoming space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings openly. Whether you’re diving in wholeheartedly or just testing the waters, I’m here to walk alongside you, every step of the way.
Remember: it's okay to not have all the answers right now. It's okay to ask for support. You don't have to face everything alone. Together, we’ll take this journey one step at a time, toward understanding, healing, and growth.
Training, qualifications & experience
- BA Hons Degree in Counselling
- Foundation Degree in Counselling Psychology
- Basics of CBT: Essentials I, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Provided bereavement counselling at Teeside Hospice.
- Enhanced DBS Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Online Counselling
- Certificate (Level 2) Counselling Skills
- Certificate (Level 3) Counselling Studies
- Diploma in Islamic counselling/ علم النفس الإسلامي
- Autism Awareness
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People
- Domestic Abuse Level
- GDPR Awareness
- Mental Capacity
- Mental Health Awareness
- Safeguarding Adults (Level 3)
- Safeguarding Children (Level3)
- Suicide Awareness
- Supporting People with a Learning Disability – Tier 1
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 per session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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Further information
Client testimonials
- Sanaa is incredibly patient and tentative. She listens carefully to my concerns and helps me to understand and process any thoughts that I bring up with her. Written on May 28, 2025 after therapy with Sanaa for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and self-esteem
- "I cannot recommend Sanaa enough. From the very first session, she created a space where I felt completely at ease. Her warmth and empathy made it easy to open up, and her thoughtful insights gave me clarity and a fresh perspective on challenges I’d struggled with for years. Through her support, I’ve made progress that I never thought was possible. Sanaa has a natural ability to connect, and her relaxed and authentic approach makes the process feel less like therapy and more like a meaningful, transformative conversation. Her kindness, genuine care, and infectious positivity always leave me feeling lighter and more hopeful. I’m truly grateful to have had the chance to work with her and cannot overstate the impact she’s had on my journey"
- "Sanaa made me feel truly heard and understood from the very first session. Her compassionate, culturally sensitive approach helped me explore my struggles and grow stronger through mindfulness and self-awareness. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking genuine and empowering support."
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"A safe space where inclusivity and relational depth made all the difference. I can't recommend it enough!"
- "Sanaa provided incredible support during my bereavement journey. Her compassionate and understanding approach created a safe space for me to process my grief. Her guidance helped me find meaning amidst loss, and I’m deeply grateful for her empathy and care."
- "Your sessions helped me uncover strengths I didn’t know I had. Thank you for creating such a supportive space."
- "Sanaa’s Islamic counselling approach beautifully integrates faith and identity with therapeutic support. Her understanding of intersectionality creates a space where cultural and personal complexities are acknowledged and embraced. Her guidance is compassionate, empowering, and deeply rooted in respect for diverse experiences."
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" Very understanding and honest good listener. Doing best to help"
Written on Mar 17, 2025 after therapy with Sanaa for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
