Iffat Shafiuddin

I am a Neurodivergent Therapist and my therapeutic work is client-centred incorporating Polyvagal Theory* (understanding and befriending our internal surveillance system which searches for cues of social engagement, connection and safety and cues of threat, danger and disconnection. This can lead to appreciating and managing our emotions by self-regulating via co-regulation thus preventing the brain from being hijacked and consumed by intense overwhelming feelings). 

I also offer counselling with yoga for those who experience restlessness, anxiety and stress and may believe counselling or yoga is not for them.

I hold over 10 years of counselling experience with adults and children.

I hold specialist experience and expertise within:

ASD (Autism Spectrum Condition),

PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance),

ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Condition) and

Masking

I have worked in various roles within:

Education

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)

Place2Be (Improving Children's Mental Health in Schools)

Your Healthcare

Women's Aid

Cruse Bereavement Care

Having worked with people of all ages in these settings my work with professionals and young adults took a positive turn towards somatic embodiment practices of connecting the mind with the body and slowing down the pace within oneself to reduce stress and anxiety, and raise self-esteem and confidence. This is by incorporating yoga into counselling.

I have 2 ways of working:

1. Online Counselling via Zoom

2. Counselling with yoga in-person (in Kingston and Richmond upon Thames.)

You don’t have to relive trauma to heal because “The Body Keeps the Score”.** Healing can come from the release experienced in yoga.

Fees

1. Online via Zoom

from £75 per session for 50 minutes

2. Counselling with Yoga in-person

from £100 for 60 minutes booked in blocks of 6 (in your home or work-place)

* Porges S.W (2011) The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations 

** M.D. Bessel van der Kolk (2015) The Body Keeps the Score

Online counselling

We'd start with an initial phone assessment to:

• explore the reason(s) for you (or your young person) to want counselling

• see the nature of difficulties encountered

• talk through your mental health history

• create a therapeutic plan with best hopes (with direction and built-in flexibility required to adapt to your moment-to-moment needs)

• answer your questions

Counselling with Yoga in-person

We’ll have an in-person assessment to:

• delve into your best hopes

• explore your experience of moving your body dynamically

• talk through your mental and physical health history

• create a yoga therapeutic plan (with direction and built-in flexibility required to adapt to your moment-to-moment needs)

• answer your questions.

...finishing off with yoga.

Whether it’s online or in-person I'll also talk through the process of counselling with or without yoga.

Namely:

I will not pressure you into talking

You can bring issues within your own pace

The process will be centred around your needs (hence the assessment process to identify your needs)

The counselling is confidential.

The only exemption being that if you are a danger to yourself or others in which case, as per BACP Therapeutic Guidelines and Ethical Framework, I would have to step outside of our confidentiality agreement for safety reasons – this will be explained at assessment. This is standard practice and is part of my responsibility to you.

In addition, I work within BACP's Ethical Framework as well as the Yoga Alliance Professionals Code of Practice.

I hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate.

Please note I work with adults and young people above 14 years of age.