Balancing Bridges – Psychotherapy & Counselling

Balancing Bridges

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Integrative Psychotherapist,
Counsellor & Coach

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step"

Request a Free Consultation

HOW I CAN HELP YOU?

Hello, and welcome! I’m delighted you’ve found your way to Balancing Bridges, I’m here to offer you a warm, safe and supportive space on your journey towards well-being.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by back-and-forth rumination between your emotions and logical thoughts, searching for inner peace and emotional strength, you’re in the right place. Our online space for therapy and coaching is designed to provide you with what you need and deserve to make shifts that are most supportive for you.

I understand the complexities of navigating life’s challenges. Whether you’re struggling with relationship issues, past traumas, managing uncertainties, or feeling trapped in negative thought patterns, I’m here to help you explore, restore, and thrive.

Counseling and Psychotherapy Can Help

Counselling and psychotherapy offer invaluable support in your journey toward healing and self-discovery. Through thoughtful dialogue, tailored strategies, and a safe space, therapy aims to help you:

  • Navigate Internal Conflicts: Learn techniques to handle conflicting emotions and thoughts, fostering emotional resilience.
  • Improve Relationships: Develop communication skills and resolve conflicts, strengthening your connections with loved ones.
  • Heal from Trauma: Work through past experiences, finding ways to heal and regain a sense of safety and trust.
  • Break Free from Negative Patterns: Challenge negative thinking, boosting self-esteem, and fostering a more positive mindset.
  • Discover Purpose: Explore your passions and direction, finding a fulfilling path in life.
  • Embrace Imperfection: Let go of perfectionism and find healthier ways to achieve your goals.
  • Cultivate Self-Worth: Build self-esteem and confidence to be your authentic self.

YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS

I’m Sonia, the founder of this online service for Psychotherapy, Counselling, and Coaching. As humans we are continuously moving between who we were, who we are and who we want to be, this service is about supporting you in bridging these parts of you and your life.

I am a fully qualified and accredited Psychotherapist, Counsellor and Coach. Registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) and subscribe to their code for ethical practice.

Throughout my life, I have always been drawn to connecting with others, being a witness to their stories and sharing in their successes and struggles. I’ve also valued supporting others during difficult times, offering help and encouragement.

As an Integrative Therapist and Coach, I offer a safe space for you to process, explore, discover and live out your full potential. I am trained to work with a variety of different approaches, which allows me to tailor therapy to each individual, combining traditional and innovative therapeutic approaches. Which supports therapeutic healing through thoughtful dialogue, silence and creative forms of expression.

Your well-being is at the heart of Balancing Bridges. Remember, you’re not alone and I’m here to accompany you on your journey of healing, self-discovery and growth.

SERVICES

Counselling & Psychotherapy

In-depth support when difficult thoughts and feelings affect your daily life.

Coaching

Understanding where you’re at now and transforming it into a future that is purposeful and authentic to you.

TESTIMONIALS

Therapy has been a space to reflect as well as a weekly check-in. What has shifted and where can it go? It has made me aware of my patterns and my reasons for having them and in cases has helped me find strategies to shift them.
Client
The sessions gave me the relief I needed to make sense of a difficult time.
Client
Overall, I found my therapy experience life changing. I have rediscovered and evolved my confidence to change my life for the better.
Client
My experience with Balancing Bridges has opened me up to possibilities of seeing and doing things differently in my life that I didn't imagine were possible before I started this journey. I feel more confident in addressing challenges in my life, and am able to recognise and communicate my needs more clearly.
Client
I can’t describe how much it helped me put things into perspective. Despite feeling anxious in the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much.
Client
A great opportunity to reflect on my strengths and skills and also identify negative behaviour patterns that are holding me back from my full potential.
Client
Rapport was established really easily and the therapist style and approach helped me identify strengths that I want to build on further in future therapy sessions. Sonia is really skilled and uses different methods in her therapy sessions that were both validating and inspiring, Alhamdulillah.
Client
This is the first time I sought help from a therapist and I am gladI did. Personally, I felt it was important to see a therapist who looked like me and one whom I felt could relate to the issues I am going through and by this, I mean a therapist from the same cultural and religious background as me. Sonia was the best person to have received this therapy from, I felt like she understood me. Aside from the fact that she is a black/African therapist belonging to the Islamic faith, she made me feel very much at ease from the first session.
Client
Sonia was extremely kind, completely non-judgemental, an excellent listener, and someone with a high level of objectivity. I also felt as though I was her only client purely due to the fact that she remembered every little detail from every session I had with her. (...) I am incredibly grateful for all the help Sonia provided and could not have wished for a better therapist – thank you!
Client
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BOOKING

Contact me to arrange an initial assessment to see if this service is right for you, following this I offer short-term or long-term therapy and coaching. 

One to one therapy sessions start at £70 payable via bank transfer or standing order, at least 72 hours prior to the start of the session. Any missed sessions or cancellations within 48-hours are non-refundable.

Please ensure that you have a quiet space, a webcam and a reliable internet connection, sessions will be done via Zoom or over the phone if you would prefer. 

I work with clients over the age of 18 at present. If you require help for someone under the age of 18, I recommend contacting the BACP who can advise on therapists for you.

Book a free consultation

F.A.Q.

You start by getting in contact to have a free 15 minute chemistry call you can ask questions and we can see if this service is the best fit for you, I’ll be able to recommend a way forward. We can then arrange an initial session. We’ll work together to make sure our sessions are exactly what you need and are achieving the aims you came for.

We take each session at a pace you are comfortable with and in a gentle manner. There are no complicated forms, no list of questions, we will be working together to support you in the way you need.

At the start of our time together, we can decide how many sessions to begin with and review as we go depending on your needs.

Counselling and Psychotherapy 

A safe, confidential environment supporting adults from a range of backgrounds and ages. We take each session at a pace you are comfortable with and in a gentle manner. Together we can support you in the way you need, exploring areas including,  identity, anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, grief, loneliness, self-esteem, trauma, physical, mental and economic abuse.

Coaching 
A non-judgmental, collaborative and confidential space that supports you with gaining clarity on personal and professional goals and development. Offering you structure, accountability and actions, moving you from where you are now and closer to living a more purposeful, authentic life and future.

This service can be in person or online, which includes a 90 minute group session and 30 minute individual sessions. This can be a mandatory or optional experience depending on the project.

Prices for this service are assessed on a project by project basis. Please get in contact to find out more.

  • BACP Accredited – Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) Integrative Counselling and Coaching from the University of East London.
  • Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy MBACP (Accred)
  • Creative Counsellor Fellowship
  • Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network (MCAPN)
  • Al Balagh Academy – Islamic Psychology And Counselling  
  • Level 2 Counselling Skills and Level 3 Counselling Studies with Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body (CPCAB)
  • Certified Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)
  • Verified by Psychology Today
  • DBS checked

All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential within the bounds of current regulations. I follow the professional and ethical guidelines of the BACP (British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapy).

Integrative means that I am trained to work with a variety of different therapy approaches. This knowledge allows me to tailor therapy to each individual.

I offer a 48-hour cancellation period – missed or cancelled sessions after this period will be billed at the per session rate, payable via bank transfer or standing order.

The main difference between a therapeutic relationship and other relationships is that both parties are focussed entirely on the client. You will set the agenda and your therapist will work alongside you, encouraging you to reflect on your feelings in the moment in order for you to gain insight on how your thoughts and feelings affect how you live your life.

Your therapists job is to provide a supportive and reflective environment to affect change in your life. In order to do this they will, of course, bring expertise that may be useful but most importantly will be non-judgemental, warm and understanding towards you. You are the expert of your own unique way of thinking, feeling, and experiencing. Our time together would look to explore your thoughts and feelings and give you the opportunity to work things out for yourself in a safe space.

It’s really important to remember that your therapist is not there to judge you and it’s highly unlikely that they’ll be shocked by anything you may tell them. Your therapist will focus on the past, present and future at various times in your therapeutic journey. How you’re feeling during your sessions is key, and they’ll look to openly discuss how you’re relating to one another. This may feel difficult at first but your therapist will offer encouragement and support so that, in time, these kinds of frank, open discussions become more natural.

I work with clients over the age of 18 at present. If you require help for someone under the age of 18, I recommend contacting the BACP who can advise on therapists for you.

As people we can be in overwhelming situation and require immediate support below are some useful links to organisations that may help support you:
 

  • GamCare: For if you feel like your gambling is affecting you, or those closest to you.
  • Harmless: A great organisation that are working to overcome issues related to self-harm.
  • Mind: For advice and information on everything mental health.
  • Refuge: Offer fantastic support for women and children that are experiencing domestic abuse.
  • Shelter: For if you’re in need of help or advice with housing including homelessness.