Elaheh Akbari

Available

Late afternoons -> evenings  3pm-8pm

Tuesdays-Saturdays

If you're finding yourself rather stuck—whether in relationships, family life, or processing difficult experiences—I provide a calm, non-judgmental space where we can take things slowly, make sense of what's going on, and work out some practical next steps together.

Perhaps home feels tense at the moment. Conversations seem to go round in circles or communication has broken down altogether. You might find yourself treading carefully, going over arguments in your head, or questioning your own responses. Anxiety keeps you feeling on edge; low mood can leave you feeling drained; and when confidence takes a knock, it becomes harder to find your voice.

You may be navigating family difficulties, feeling disconnected from your partner, or dealing with the aftermath of trauma or loss. Loneliness can settle in, and those old familiar patterns in relationships have a way of resurfacing. It's quite a lot to manage on your own, and you shouldn't.

Therapy can help ease some of this burden. As we begin to understand patterns and try out different approaches, many people find there are fewer difficult moments, conversations flow more easily, and emotions feel more manageable. A quieter mind often brings better concentration at work, more ease with family, and an overall improvement in daily life—even appreciating simple pleasures again.

Gradually, you might feel more settled in yourself, able to maintain boundaries that actually work, and feel reconnected with what truly matters to you. Daily life can feel more fulfilling and steady, even when challenges inevitably arise.

My approach draws from various therapeutic models—CBT and trauma-focused work, EFT for couples, person-centred and psychodynamic approaches—all tailored to what feels right for you, with practical strategies you can use between sessions. We'll work at a pace that respects your dignity and comfort.

I'm a Â鶹ԭ´´ Member and experienced supervisor with over 30 years supporting people through difficult times, including more than 5 years as a qualified practising therapist. My earlier work involved leading charities that supported women and separated children from war-zones—experience that's shaped my trauma-informed, safeguarding-conscious approach.

I work particularly with couples, family issues, trauma (including PTSD), and women's experiences, including domestic abuse. Sessions are integrative and practical, drawing from multiple therapeutic approaches tailored to your specific needs.

A past client said:

"Thank you for being open and honest with me. As a man I initially felt embarrassed to acknowledge my feelings. I was so mauled up. You allowed me to explore my past feelings and say what I want. I now have a better relationship with my wife, I talk to her and we talk about worries. She now knows why I am sometimes quiet. This is a long journey but thank you for helping me so far." — Former client, shared with permission

Common concerns:

People sometimes worry that therapy is only for serious problems. Actually, many come for everyday struggles—communication that's gone a bit cold, work pressures, loneliness, or simply wanting life to feel more fulfilling. You don't need to be in a crisis to benefit.

There's also the matter of stigma and feeling rather exposed. Seeking support doesn't suggest you're incapable—it shows you're looking after yourself rather sensibly. You'll be met with respect, and we'll proceed at whatever pace feels comfortable.

Getting started:

I work mainly on Zoom and am based around Edgware, Mill Hill, and Finchley. I offer a brief 15-minute conversation where we can discuss what's been happening and what you'd like to see change. If it feels like a good fit, we can arrange your first proper session together. Simply email or call when you're ready.

Before we even get to the first full session, I offer a free 15-minute phone call. This is a chance for us to have a brief chat about what's bringing you to therapy, answer any questions you might have, and see if we might be a good fit for working together. There's no commitment—it's simply an opportunity to get a sense of whether this feels right for you.

If we both feel it's worth moving forward, we'll arrange your first proper session.

Your first session is really about us getting to know each other and working out how we can best support you. There's no pressure to dive into everything straight away—we'll go at whatever pace feels comfortable for you.

We'll start by talking about what's brought you to therapy and what you're hoping might change. I'll ask some questions to understand your situation better, but you're always in control of what you share and when. Some people arrive ready to talk; others need a bit more time to feel settled, and both are absolutely fine.

I'll also explain a bit about how I work, what you can expect from our sessions together, and answer any questions or concerns you might have. We'll discuss practical matters like frequency of sessions, confidentiality, and any particular approaches that might be helpful for you.

By the end of our first session, you should have a clearer sense of whether this feels like the right kind of support. If you decide to continue, we'll talk about next steps and begin mapping out what we'll work on together. The first session is really the beginning of understanding your story and working out how we can move forward in a way that feels helpful and manageable for you.

Available

Late afternoons -> evenings 3pm-8pm

Tuesdays-Saturdays

As a qualified Integrative Clinical Supervisor, I'm passionate about supporting therapists and counsellors at every stage of their professional journey. Whether you're a trainee finding your feet or an experienced practitioner navigating complex cases, I provide a reflective, collaborative space where you can develop your skills and grow in confidence.

My supervision approach:

Our work together is genuinely collaborative – a partnership centred on your learning and professional development, where your questions and concerns shape our sessions.

It's deeply reflective – creating safe space to explore your clinical work, celebrating what's going well and learning from challenges, without judgement.

And it's integrative – drawing on humanistic, cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic, and other relevant approaches to enrich and deepen your clinical practise.

What we focus on:

We'll work on case reflection and clinical skills enhancement, helping you think through complex client dynamics and therapeutic relationships. Trauma-informed and ethical practise is central, ensuring you're equipped to hold difficult material safely and work within professional guidelines.

Your wellbeing matters enormously. We'll pay attention to practitioner resilience, burnout prevention, and how the work affects you personally. Just as importantly, we'll focus on developing your unique therapeutic voice and style.

My philosophy:

I believe effective supervision strikes a balance between warm support and constructive challenge. My aim is to help you feel grounded, confident, and ethically aligned whilst encouraging you to discover your own therapeutic approach. Supervision should be a space where you can grow both professionally and personally, feeling truly supported as you navigate the complexities of therapeutic practise.

I provide clinical supervision for trainee counsellors and qualified therapists, working online via Zoom. My supervision style is warm, curious, and collaborative, focused on helping you develop genuine confidence in your clinical work.

My background:

I'm a Â鶹ԭ´´ Member with over 30 years supporting vulnerable people and over half a decade practising psychotherapy at my own practice. My earlier work leading charities that supported refugees, women, and separated children from war-zones has deeply informed my understanding of trauma, safeguarding, and culturally sensitive practise.

I'm particularly experienced supervising work with trauma (including Complex PTSD), couples therapy, family issues, and therapists supporting survivors of domestic abuse. My trauma-informed approach means I understand the challenges of holding difficult material.

What supervision looks like:

We'll explore your cases in depth, examining client dynamics, therapeutic relationships, transference and countertransference, and what's happening beneath the surface. I help you think about theory practically, considering which approaches might be most helpful.

We'll navigate ethical dilemmas and safeguarding concerns thoughtfully, ensuring you're working within professional guidelines whilst staying true to your values. You'll develop practical strategies to use directly in your practise between sessions.

I offer a free 15-minute phone call before formal supervision starts. This is a chance to discuss what you're looking for, your experience and training, and see if we're a good fit. There's no obligation—it's simply to gauge whether my supervision style feels right for you.

Your first supervision session:

If we both feel it's worth proceeding, we'll arrange your first proper session. This is about establishing our working relationship and understanding your needs as a practitioner.

We'll discuss your background, training, and current practice—the populations you work with, your theoretical orientation, and areas where you'd like support. We'll explore what you're hoping to gain from supervision and how we can work together most effectively.

We'll also cover practical matters: the supervision contract, confidentiality and its limits, frequency of sessions, and how our work will be structured.

By the end, you should have a clear sense of how we'll work together and whether this feels right. If you decide to continue, we'll establish a regular pattern and begin supporting your professional development.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.