Sunah Akhtar, BACP

Sunah Akhtar is a counsellor with nine years' experience who helps people manage stress, anxiety and relationship concerns. She works with adults on issues such as depression, grief, addiction, self-esteem and intimacy-related problems. She is a BACP member and speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.

Sunah uses a person-centred style that aims to make people feel heard and accepted. She blends practical tools with reflective conversation so clients can notice patterns and try new ways of coping. Sessions focus on what matters to the individual and move at a pace they find helpful.

Her background includes a four-year placement at WeStand and Renaissance Horizon where she provided emotional support to people facing complex challenges. She has also worked through an online service, offering therapy to clients in different locations. This range of settings has shaped a calm, empathetic approach to common life difficulties.

Clinically she draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based ideas and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy strategies alongside client-centred practice. That mix is used to tackle symptoms like panic attacks, self-critical thinking and issues with attachment or shame. Sunah also supports people dealing with changes such as career shifts, caregiving stress and chronic illness.

She frames therapy as a collaborative process. People who choose to work with her can expect practical suggestions, chance to reflect, and help building small, workable habits. To begin, visitors follow the site’s matching steps and schedule sessions according to availability.

How therapeutic approaches guide online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is often used when someone wants to reduce avoidance and live a fuller life despite difficult feelings. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and gives practical strategies to reduce anxiety, panic and low mood. Attachment-Based ideas pay attention to relationship patterns and how early experiences shape trust and connection, useful for attachment difficulties and relationship strain.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most useful, and then try methods that match those needs. This is a collaborative process and may change as therapy progresses.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Many people find remote work easier to fit into a busy week, reduces travel time and allows regular check-ins during life transitions. Online sessions can also make it simpler to receive help when living far from a clinic or when juggling caregiving and work commitments.