About me

Hi I am Dr Sonia Ahmed, a chartered counselling psychologist who is registered with both the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

I believe that each persons experience is individual and unique, and that there is not a ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to therapy. Therefore my therapeutic approach takes on an integrative stance, in which I will often draw upon a number of therapeutic models and techniques, tailored to each individuals needs. Regardless of your treatment plan, developing a strong therapeutic relationship, will be the core of therapy. This means that sessions will be based on empathy, trust, warmth, non judgmental and compassion, whilst being adaptive to each of your needs.

I take a trauma-informed approach to your psychological care. A trauma informed approach to therapy is a set of guiding principles that identifies that trauma has substantial effects on individuals and tends not be recognised or reported as often as it should. It shifts from asking ‘what’s wrong with you?’ to ‘what happened to you?’This means that we take into account all of your traumas (past and present) in order to get a complete picture of your life situation, thus, allowing us to be able to provide you with the most effective support.

I take an integrative approach to therapy, which means therapy is tailored to your individual needs by drawing on techniques from various therapeutic models.

Therapies offered include:

  • EMDR
  • Trauma-focused CBT
  • Cognitive and behavioural therapies
  • Humanistic therapies
  • Mindfulness
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy

Qualifications & Practice Details

Years in Practice: 10+

Member: HCPC - PYL040688

Training:

Qualifications:

PsychD Counselling Psychology - 2021
BSc Psychology - 2011

Additional Training:

EMDR - 2023
Flash technique for trauma - 2022
Dream completion technique for nightmares - 2022
Person-centered Counselling for Depression – 2021
Couples Counselling – 2019
CBT for Major Depression – 2018
Working with childhood sexual abuse – 2018
PTSD & Complex Trauma – 2018
Mindfulness, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy – 2018

Insurance Plans: Axa, Aviva, Vitality

Prescribe Medication: No

Practical Details

Languages
Urdu
English
Types of Clients
Adults
Older Adults
Session Types
In Person
Online
Specialities

I specialise in working with Trauma and PTSD.

We have all experienced trauma of some sort in our lives. Whether it be something that we are aware of (or have consciously thought about), or not. For example, witnessing or being a part of some form of abuse, accidents, assaults, natural disasters, cultural traumas such as forced marriage or FMG.  Often these traumatic experiences can be the underlying cause (or at least a contributing factor), to various mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and addiction, amongst others. Sometimes we can be oblivious to how past traumas can be affecting our current lives, but by processing and resolving these past issues, deep and long last change is possible.

  • Relational Trauma
  • Cultural Trauma
  • Childhood Trauma
  • Domestic Abuse (physical, emotional, verbal, financial, coercion)
  • Forced Marriage
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Sexual Assault

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