Assia Bandukda

Hello, my name is Assia and I help adults suffering from anxiety, depression, loss, bereavement as well as low self esteem and relationship difficulties.  

As an integrative counsellor,  I use elements from different approaches of counselling according to your needs,  for example I can draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help clients manage anxiety or negative self talk and may incorporate  Psycho-dynamic insights to help a client explore the impact of childhood neglect on their way of relating to others.

Regardless of the approach, you as a client are at the heart of all my therapeutic endeavours. Your needs and preference from the basis of all our work together. I will provide a safe and confidential space for you to explore your difficulties. 

I have successfully worked with clients from all backgrounds and communities and celebrate the diversity of our human family. In addition to proficiency in English, I speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi languages if needed by my clients.   

I am an accredited couples therapist with Tavistock Relationships.  I provide a safe and confidential space for couples who may want to explore their emotional difficulties. I encourage my clients to gain insights about their patterns of relating that may be keeping them trapped in the current situation, and to develop tools to overcome these hurdles.

Alongside my private practice I been working within the NHS for many years. Due to COVID19 I currently only offer Zoom/ Skype based online therapy. 

I offer both evenings and weekend appointments,  I try and answer all my client's queries promptly but if there is limited appointment availability I may operate a waiting list at busy periods.

Due to COVID19, I only offer online therapy, via Zoom, phone, Microsoft teams or Skype. I find this is more effective then sitting in a room with full PPE where the client and I struggle to understand speech with face mask and lose out on facial expressions etc.

I offer some evenings and weekend appointments. I try and answer all my client's queries promptly but if there is limited appointment availability I may operate a waiting list at busy periods.

I offer a 15 minute free phone consultation to discuss your needs before booking the first assessment session. 

As an integrative therapist my practice is informed by both counselling and CBT based ideas. The aim is to support my clients to explore their difficulties, in order to gain better understanding of their current situation. Depending on the client's readiness,  an action plan for the future can be prepared which builds on the client's strengths and resources highlighted in the exploratory stage.    

I have supported clients who have been affected by  Abuse, Anxiety, Bereavement, Cultural issues, Depression, Identity issues, All types of Loss, Relationship difficulties/ breakdowns, low self-esteem, Spiritual crisis/ awakening, Managing stress, Life transitions/ Women's physical and emotional health concerns related to Menopause,  

The purpose of first session is for both of us to assess if we are going to be able to work together, as the success of therapy is dependent on the relationship and understanding that we develop through our work together.  I also take down brief relevant medical, social and psychological history, to discuss therapy contract, to give you a mini taster of therapy session and to answer any questions that you may have.  This enables us to start to develop a framework for finding the focus of our work together , what are you hoping to achieve from therapy, what is the end goal.  I find it helpful to discuss all the terms and conditions (contract), at the outset, so you know what is expected from you as well as what you can expect from me.   At the end of the first session you will have a clear idea of whether psychological therapy is the way forward of you or not. If appropriate I may suggest further sources of information or onward referral.

Hello, my name is Assia and I help adults suffering from anxiety, depression, loss , bereavement as well as low self esteem and relationship difficulties.  

As an integrative counsellor, I use elements from different approaches of counselling according to your needs, for example I can draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to help clients manage anxiety or negative self talk and use Psycho-dynamic insights to help clients explore the impact of childhood neglect on their way of relating to others.   

Regardless of the approach, you as a client are at the heart of all my therapeutic endeavours. Your needs and preferences for the basis of all our work together. I will provide a safe and confidential space for you to explore your difficulties. 

I have successfully worked with clients form all backgrounds and communities. In addition to proficiency in English,  I speak Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi languages if needed by my clients. 

Alongside my private practice I have been working within the NHS for many years. I am ac accredited couples therapist with Tavistock Relationships. 

I currently work remotely using Zoom/ Skype and Microsoft Teams as well as WhatsApp.   

I offer both evenings and weekend appointments and also some options for Skype based work if required. I try and answer all my client's queries promptly but if there is limited appointment availability I may operate a waiting list at busy periods.   

Due to COVID19 I work remotely offering phone, Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams online sessions. 

 As the success of therapy depends on the establishment of a good therapeutic relationship, the first session allows us both to assess if we will be able to work together.

 I also carry out detailed assessment and take down your medical, social and psychological history and evaluate your risk profile. There will be opportunity to discuss therapy contract and for you to ask questions and to clarify anything that is not clear to you.