Farzana Iftikhar

I offer a safe, confidential, and supportive space where you can talk openly about your experiences without fear of judgement. My way of working is integrative, which means I draw from a range of therapeutic approaches to adapt to your individual needs. These may include person-centred therapy, psychodynamic exploration, and cognitive-behavioural techniques, depending on what feels most helpful for you.

I place great importance on cultural awareness and sensitivity, recognising how identity, family, and community can shape our challenges as well as our strengths. As a bilingual therapist, I am able to work in both English and Urdu, which can be especially supportive if you feel more comfortable expressing yourself in one language or would like the flexibility of moving between the two.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that everyone has the capacity for growth and change. My role is to walk alongside you, helping you make sense of your experiences, explore new perspectives, and build resilience. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, low mood, loss, relationship difficulties, or simply wish to understand yourself more deeply, I aim to provide a compassionate and collaborative space where you can feel heard and supported.

Starting counselling can feel like a big step, and I aim to make the process as comfortable and supportive as possible. My practice provides a safe, confidential environment where you can talk about whatever feels important to you. Together we can explore the difficulties you are facing, whether they are current challenges, feelings from the past, or concerns about the future.

My style of working is collaborative and flexible. I use an integrative approach, combining different therapeutic models to suit your unique needs. This might include a person-centred focus on building a trusting relationship, psychodynamic insight into how past experiences may be influencing the present, or cognitive-behavioural strategies to help manage unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. This flexibility allows us to work in a way that feels right for you and your circumstances.

I also bring cultural awareness into my work. I understand how culture, traditions, family expectations, and community can play a big role in shaping who we are and how we experience difficulties. As a bilingual therapist, I can offer sessions in both English and Urdu, giving you the option to communicate in the language that feels most natural or to move between them if that feels supportive.

I work with clients facing a wide range of issues such as anxiety, low mood, stress, bereavement, relationship concerns, identity challenges, and self-esteem difficulties. Whatever you bring, I will listen with empathy and without judgement.

Counselling is your time, and the sessions move at your pace. My aim is to provide a space where you feel heard, valued, and supported, helping you develop greater self-understanding, resilience, and a stronger sense of wellbeing.

I offer a free 20-minute telephone or online consultation before starting counselling. This gives you the chance to ask questions, talk a little about what brings you to therapy, and see whether my way of working feels right for you. It’s also an opportunity for me to understand your needs and to explain how I work, including confidentiality, boundaries, and what you can expect from the counselling process.

If you decide to go ahead, our first full session will focus on getting to know each other and beginning to explore what you would like to work on. You are welcome to share as much or as little as feels comfortable — there is no pressure to go into everything straight away. We can talk about your goals, what you hope to gain from counselling, and whether you prefer a short-term or open-ended arrangement.

The first session is also about beginning to build trust and giving you a sense of whether you feel comfortable with me as your therapist. Together, we will create a supportive space where you can work at your own pace.