Sunah Akhtar, BACP
Experienced BACP psychotherapist for life challenges
- CBT and mindfulness
- Multilingual therapy support
- Clapham based practice
About Sunah Akhtar
Sunah Akhtar is a BACP-registered psychotherapist who brings a thoughtful, outcomes-focused approach to supporting people through life’s difficulties. Working from The Awareness Centre in Clapham, she offers a calm, non-judgmental environment where clients can explore emotions, develop coping strategies, and work toward clearer thinking and healthier habits. She is a member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which denotes professional standards in counselling and psychotherapy in the United Kingdom.
Across a varied clinical background that includes a four-year placement at WeStand and Renaissance Horizon, Sunah has supported people through challenges such as stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, low self-esteem, shame, relationship and attachment difficulties, and major life transitions. She has also worked with trauma, suicidal ideation, and ongoing personal development needs. Her practice combines evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness with a person-centered, empathic stance to tailor care to each individual.
Sunah has provided remote therapy services as part of her wider practice and integrates lessons from social entrepreneurship to inform her understanding of resilience and adaptation. With nine years of experience, she focuses on helping clients build self-compassion, strengthen relationships, and find practical ways to manage complex emotional and psychological concerns.
Across a varied clinical background that includes a four-year placement at WeStand and Renaissance Horizon, Sunah has supported people through challenges such as stress, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, low self-esteem, shame, relationship and attachment difficulties, and major life transitions. She has also worked with trauma, suicidal ideation, and ongoing personal development needs. Her practice combines evidence-based tools like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness with a person-centered, empathic stance to tailor care to each individual.
Sunah has provided remote therapy services as part of her wider practice and integrates lessons from social entrepreneurship to inform her understanding of resilience and adaptation. With nine years of experience, she focuses on helping clients build self-compassion, strengthen relationships, and find practical ways to manage complex emotional and psychological concerns.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
AddictionsLGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Existential Therapy Jungian Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Sunah Akhtar have?
Sunah Akhtar has nine years of clinical experience.
Is Sunah Akhtar a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds BACP accreditation. BACP is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.
In which languages does Sunah Akhtar provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu.
Where is Sunah Akhtar located?
She is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Sunah Akhtar as my therapist?
You can work with Sunah Akhtar through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Sunah Akhtar work with international clients?
Sunah Akhtar does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Sunah Akhtar cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches that guide online therapy and how they help
Sunah draws on several well-established approaches in her online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and panic. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships influence current patterns of relating and emotional regulation, which can be helpful for relationship difficulties, attachment concerns, and trauma. Client-Centered Therapy places the person at the heart of the process, using empathic listening and collaboration to support self-exploration and personal growth.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Sunah works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques as those needs evolve over time.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - so people can access licensed professionals from home or other locations that suit them. This format can make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity during life changes, and choose the communication style that feels most comfortable.