About me
Hello and welcome. My name is Shyama and I aim to provide a therapeutic space that is respectful and warm, where you feel valued and heard. Our work together is tailored to you, with a deep respect for self-expression and individuality. I incorporate creative expression, play, and breath work into my practice, offering embodied and imaginative ways to safely explore emotions, process experiences, and support regulation and healing. I offer both short and long-term therapy aligning with your needs but generally I aim to build long-term therapeutic relationships, as this creates the foundation for deeper, more meaningful work.
Engaging in therapy offers a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of who we are and why we function the way we do. We will work together at a pace that feels safe for you, addressing unresolved inner conflicts, making sense of your emotions, and exploring the root causes of distress. My goal is to help you gain clarity, resilience and support healing. If you want to talk about what's happening in your life, give words to your feelings, and express those silent, unspoken thoughts, I am here to hold a space where your thoughts and feelings can be safely explored.
I work with individuals navigating a range of challenges, particularly around anxiety, depression , relational trauma, mood disorders, emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD/BPD), chronic illness, childhood and attachment-based trauma and exploring racial identity and its intersections within relationships and culture.
I also provide neurodiversity-affirming support for autistic individuals, focusing on communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and related challenges. These interconnected experiences and insights have deepened my commitment to an inclusive, anti-oppressive approach to therapy.
I bring both personal and professional insight into chronic illness and pain; particularly the psychological impact of living with long-term health conditions. Therapy offers a space to support both your physical and emotional well-being, fostering self-awareness, improved mind-body connection and healing through an integrative approach.
I am passionate around supporting individuals in healing from trauma; those often subtle, layered experiences that build over time and affect one’s sense of safety, self-worth, and connection. I specialise in relational trauma, and how this can shape our relationships with others and with ourselves. Our work together focuses on helping you explore these experiences; gently untangling old patterns, healing emotional wounds and supporting reframing of old narratives in building healthier ways of relating.
I am committed to understanding the journeys of marginalised individuals. All aspects of you will be honoured and together, we will create a safe, respectful and affirming space to explore your experiences and the emotional, psychological and systemic challenges tied to your identity.
How it works: We would start with an initial session where we will take the time to understand your reasons for seeking therapy and establish if we are a good fit to work together.
Affordability and Accessibility: Your wellbeing is important, and financial concerns should not be a barrier to accessing support. If cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we can have an open and respectful conversation in hopefully finding a fee that feels manageable.
I currently offer in-person sessions on Mondays in Hackney, with online or phone appointments available throughout the rest of the week
Training, qualifications & experience
Training
I am a UKCP accredited Integrative psychotherapist, having completed a four year postgraduate masters programme at Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute. My integrative approach incorporates humanistic, relational, developmental and psychodynamic theory and practice to explore together your reality and experiences with compassion and without judgement.
I have also completed a three year Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling. This training combined hypnotherapy, integrative practices such as person-centred therapy , Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Gestalt to explore one's history, reframe negative thoughts and empower individuals through a supporting, transparent and empathetic practice.
Experience
Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked in the NHS, private healthcare, and various community settings. These experiences, including volunteering with charitable organisations have deepened my commitment to supporting mental health and enriched my understanding of cross-cultural needs.
My Master's research explored the experiences of therapists of colour in training, shaped by my own journey as a Sri-Lankan woman navigating dual cultural identity in British society. I have a special interest in supporting people of colour and marginalised backgrounds, offering a space to connect, explore, and embrace all layers of your identity.
How I work
In practice, I am guided by your unique needs, working with you to create a therapeutic space that feels supportive and is effective. Together, we will explore how to best meet your goals, crafting a personalised framework that ensures you gain the most from each session.
I view the therapeutic relationship as a key part of change. Through trust and holding a safe space, we can explore patterns rooted in early experiences that may still impact your life today. By bringing unconscious dynamics into awareness, you can make more intentional choices that align with your present needs and goals.
Exploring these dynamics within the therapy space provides an opportunity for you to practice new ways of relating and responding. This creates a safe environment for experimentation and growth, enabling clients to approach life and relationships differently outside of therapy. My hope is for you to be able to express yourself freely and be authentically you.
Qualifications
- Dip Hypnotherapy and Counselling Skills
- Ad Dip Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science
- MSc Integrative Psychotherapy
Professional Membership
UKCP accredited (registration: 2011174741)
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 UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. 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
Autoimmune disorders, Mind-Body relationship and its implications, Identity, Cultural nuances, Intersectionality, Shame and Transgenerational trauma.
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Finding the right therapist is uniquely personal and I offer a complimentary 20 minute phone call where we can discuss any concerns or questions you may have, mutually discuss if you and I are able to work together therapeutically and some of goals you might have.
I offer a sliding scale fee of £65-£80 per 50 minute session, depending on your financial circumstances.
I offer concessionary rates to trainee psychotherapists/counsellors, full-time students and for certain individuals, provided the circumstances permit.
Your wellbeing matters, and cost shouldn’t be a barrier to support. If finances are a concern, let’s talk—we can find a fee that feels manageable and keeps therapy accessible.
When I work
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Face to face therapy is available on Mondays- please reach out for further information on times available.
