Shila Begum
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About me
Hello, I'm Shila.
I'm a BACP-registered Therapeutic Counsellor with 15 years of experience in mental health and community support. I offer online and telephone counselling in English and Bengali (Sylheti) (with basic Urdu), providing a warm, confidential space where your culture, background, and lived experiences are genuinely understood.
You may be here because something in your life feels heavy right now. Perhaps you are navigating:
Anxiety, low mood, or feeling overwhelmed by daily pressures.
Bereavement, loss, or painful past experiences that feel hard to carry alone.
Relationship or family difficulties where you feel unheard or stuck.
You don't need to have everything figured out or know how to put your feelings into words before we start. We will go at a pace that feels right for you.
How I Work
My approach is person-centred, which means our sessions revolve around your individual needs rather than a rigid formula. Having spent 15 years supporting people through emotional and psychological challenges, I believe that feeling truly heard, accepted, and safe—without having to hide parts of yourself—is where real change begins.
Cultural Understanding & Languages
Our culture, family expectations, and life experiences deeply shape how we see ourselves and the world. As a bilingual counsellor, I offer an inclusive, culturally sensitive space where you can express yourself naturally—whether in English, Sylheti, or a mix of both—without having to over-explain your background.
Fees & Taking the First Step
Sessions take place online via video or by telephone, allowing you to talk comfortably from your own space.
Standard fee: £35 per 60-minute session (concessions available if finances are a barrier).
Free introductory call: Before booking any paid sessions, I offer a free 15-minute video or phone consultation. This gives us a chance to chat about what brings you to counselling, answer your questions, and see if we feel like a good fit.
Please note: All new enquiries begin with a brief 15-minute intro call before confirming appointments.
If you feel we could work well together, please send me a message with a little about what you're looking for and your general availability for a quick call. I would be happy to hear from you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have over 15 years of experience supporting people through a range of emotional and personal difficulties, including anxiety, depression, bereavement, loss, loneliness, and challenging life experiences.
Over the years, I have worked within mental health and community support services, including GP practices and community settings. These experiences have given me a deep understanding of the challenges people face and how much difference it makes to feel genuinely listened to and supported.
I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what is happening in your life and make sense of your experiences at your own pace. Working in a person-centred way, our sessions are guided by what feels important to you. I offer counselling in English and Bengali (Sylheti) (with basic Urdu), welcoming adults from all backgrounds.
Qualifications & Standards
Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (SEG Awards)
Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
Committed to ongoing professional development, regular clinical supervision, and the BACP Ethical Framework.
At Shila’s Safe Space, my aim is to offer you a confidential online or telephone space where you feel comfortable being yourself, without judgement or pressure. If you would like to see if we are a good fit, please get in touch to arrange a free 15-minute introductory call.
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
£30.00 - £35.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
My standard session fee is £35. I understand that financial circumstances can sometimes make accessing counselling difficult. If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please feel free to get in touch. I am happy to discuss affordability and offer sessions at £30 to help make counselling more accessible.
Further information
Taking the first step towards counselling can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you are used to dealing with things on your own. I want you to know that you don't have to have everything figured out before coming to counselling.
I aim to offer a warm, welcoming and understanding space where you can feel comfortable being yourself, talk openly and feel listened to without fear of being judged/ dismissed. Whether you are going through a difficult time, feeling overwhelmed, struggling with your emotions or simply need someone to talk to, you are welcome.
I understand that everyone's experiences are different, and I will always respect your individual story, background and circumstances.
I welcome people from all backgrounds and understand that our culture, identity, language and life experiences can shape who we are. As a Bengali counsellor, I speak English and Sylheti, as well as basic Urdu. I appreciate the importance of feeling understood and respected, and aim to offer an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome, whatever their background.
We can take things at your pace, exploring whatever feels important to you. You don't need to have all the answers, sometimes having someone genuinely listen and understand can be a helpful place to start.
I would be happy to hear from you if you feel ready to take that first step.
