Sunah Akhtar, BACP

Sunah Akhtar is a counsellor who helps people work through stress, anxiety and life changes. She uses straightforward conversation to help clients notice patterns, try new ways of coping and set realistic goals. Sunah speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu and works from the United Kingdom. Sunah brings nine years of clinical experience to her practice and holds membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Her background includes a four-year placement providing emotional support at community services, and she has also worked online through a commercial therapy platform. This variety has shaped her practical, person-centred style. In sessions she mixes evidence-informed methods such as cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness with a client-centred way of listening. She pays attention to attachment concerns, relationship difficulties and issues around identity and intimacy. Sessions aim to be collaborative - clients set the pace and goals together with the counsellor. Sunah works with a wide range of concerns including trauma and abuse, depression, addictions, grief, self-esteem and ADHD-related difficulties. She also supports people facing chronic health challenges, caregiver stress, career changes and parenting pressures. Her focus includes more specific topics like abandonment, adoption and body image. Her approach is calm and practical. People can expect reflective listening, thought-challenging exercises and skills to manage intense emotion. The emphasis is on small, achievable steps that fit into everyday life and help people move towards clearer thinking and steadier coping.

How core approaches shape online support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts without getting caught up in them and commit to small actions that match their values. It can be useful for worry, depression, life transitions and coping with long-term health issues.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. It is commonly used for anxiety, panic, low mood and problems with sleep or concentration.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships influence current patterns and helps people build more satisfying connections and healthier responses in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, symptoms and preferences and then suggest methods to try. This is a joint process and can be adjusted as needs change over time.

If you are considering online therapy, check which session options are currently offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed and reduce travel time. It can also help when quieter surroundings or less visual focus are preferable. Registered or accredited professionals adapt techniques used in person so they remain practical and goal oriented when delivered remotely.