About me
Finding your way back to yourself
Have you spent years rebuilding your life after a controlling relationship, or found yourself carrying the weight of family or cultural pressure, difficult relationships, or years of putting everyone else first?
You may have already left, be some way into your recovery, or simply be ready to make sense of what happened and move forward on your own terms. You might still notice self-doubt, difficulty trusting your own judgement, or a sense of having lost touch with who you are.
I am Shubina Akhtar, an NCPS Accredited Integrative Psychotherapist (MNCPS Acc.), BACP member and founder of Brightway Counselling. I offer a warm, confidential space to make sense of what you have experienced and begin rebuilding your confidence, boundaries and sense of self.Many clients reach me via a solicitor, a previous support service such as Women’s Aid, or a GP. I’m glad to liaise sensitively with other professionals involved in your care, with your consent. Direct enquiries are just as welcome.
How I work
My approach is integrative — shaped around you rather than a fixed method. I draw on person-centred, CBT-informed and psychodynamic approaches, working at a pace that feels safe to help you notice patterns, strengthen boundaries and move toward change that feels meaningful.
Where relevant, I bring cultural fluency and language access (English, Urdu, Punjabi) to our work — some clients find this makes certain family, faith or identity-related material easier to explore.
I also support women through the emotional impact of postnatal depression and postpartum psychosis, drawing on my role as an Action on Postpartum Psychosis ambassador.
Adults, children and teenagers
I offer face-to-face counselling in Peterborough, welcoming clients from surrounding areas including Stamford, with online and telephone sessions available UK-wide.
Children aged 8–12 are supported face-to-face in Peterborough. Teenagers aged 13–17 may be seen face-to-face or online where suitable.
If something here speaks to your experience, you are welcome to contact me. You do not need to have the right words or know exactly where to begin. We can start with where you are.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am an NCPS Accredited Integrative Psychotherapist (MNCPS Acc.), membership number NCS24-00496, and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I am also an accredited Mental Health First Aid England Instructor.
Qualifications and professional training
- Professional Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling Practice, Level 5 – Chrysalis
- NCPS Accredited Integrative Psychotherapist
- BACP member
- Accredited Mental Health First Aid England Instructor
- Level 3 Award in Education and Training
- Level 2 Counselling Skills and Theory
- Cruse Bereavement Support training
- Trauma-informed practice
- Safeguarding adults and children
- Suicide awareness and risk assessment
- Perinatal mental health and postpartum psychosis awareness
- Continuing professional development relating to grief, trauma, mental health and culturally sensitive practice
My integrative training brings together person-centred, CBT-informed and psychodynamic approaches. This allows me to work collaboratively and flexibly, taking account of each client’s history, present circumstances, individual needs and therapeutic goals.
Clinical and professional experience
My counselling and support experience spans adults, children, teenagers and people from culturally diverse communities.
I have been a volunteer bereavement counsellor with Cruse Bereavement Support since 2024, providing one-to-one support to people living with bereavement and significant loss.
From 2023 to 2026, I worked as a counsellor with HELP, supporting young people and adults, including refugees and asylum seekers. This involved confidential one-to-one counselling, safeguarding, risk assessment, clinical record-keeping, regular supervision and culturally sensitive practice.
My earlier work with Women’s Aid involved supporting women affected by domestic abuse and controlling relationships. This experience continues to inform my sensitive understanding of the barriers that can make it difficult for someone to speak openly, seek support or begin rebuilding their life. seek support or begin rebuilding their life. I welcome referrals from solicitors, support services and other professionals.
As an Action on Postpartum Psychosis ambassador and Muslim Mums Café peer supporter, I contribute to awareness and culturally sensitive conversations surrounding perinatal mental health, family pressures and recovery following postpartum psychosis.
My wider professional background includes several years in safeguarding, compliance, HR, staff training and workplace wellbeing. This has developed my experience of risk management, professional boundaries, multi-agency working and supporting people within complex personal and organisational circumstances.
I hold an Enhanced DBS, professional insurance and undertake regular clinical supervision and continuing professional development. My work is grounded in confidentiality, ethical practice, cultural sensitivity and respect for each client’s individual experiences.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
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.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
My particular focus is supporting women who are rebuilding their lives, identity and confidence after a controlling relationship, often some way into their recovery, whether that’s post-separation, post-divorce, or simply ready to make sense of what happened and move forward.
I also work with people who feel they have lost touch with themselves following trauma, difficult relationships, or years of putting others first. Our work may include exploring people-pleasing, boundary difficulties, rebuilding self-trust, childhood patterns, identity, and significant life transitions.
Where relevant, I bring cultural fluency and language access to our work, some clients find this makes certain family, faith or identity-related material easier to explore. I also support children and teenagers experiencing emotional distress, relationship difficulties or significant change.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£75.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling and psychotherapy sessions are £75 for 50 minutes.
Payment is due before each appointment. Payment can be made by bank transfer or cash.
Please send a brief enquiry to check current availability and arrange an appointment.
Further information
Practical information
Brightway Counselling is currently accepting new clients.
Individual appointments are £75 for 50 minutes. Payment is due before the session, and payment can be made by bank transfer or cash.
Appointments are available during weekday daytimes, selected weekday evenings and Saturdays, subject to availability.
Face-to-face sessions take place in Peterborough city centre. Online and telephone counselling is available across the UK, and walk-and-talk sessions in Peterborough may be available where appropriate.
Sessions can be provided in English, Urdu or Punjabi.
Accessibility and communication
Please let me know about any communication preferences, accessibility requirements or reasonable adjustments that may help you feel more comfortable accessing counselling. We can discuss these sensitively before your first appointment.
Making an enquiry
You are welcome to send a brief enquiry stating:
- Whether the enquiry is for an adult, child or teenager
- Your preferred session format
- Your general availability
- Your preferred contact method
- A safe and convenient time for me to respond
You do not need to share your full personal history in your first message. Once I receive your enquiry, I will respond to discuss availability, practical arrangements and the next steps towards arranging an appointment.
