Sukhdev Sembi

Mainly Thursday, other days negotiable

I am an integrative psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience. My practice focuses on providing empathetic relational support to individuals grappling with anxiety, depression, stress, or general overwhelm.

Sometimes we can struggle with our key relationships, navigating how to be true to ourselves while also fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. I believe that early childhood experiences can unconsciously shape the adult we become and how we, as individuals, relate to being part of this world. We may have adopted coping strategies in our early years, that served us well then, but might not be helpful to us in the here and now.  

As an Asian woman navigating a dynamic societal landscape, I intimately understand the distinctive challenges we encounter. I am interested in exploring issues related to race, culture, (generational) oppression and intersubjectivity. How can we construct a bridge that supports personal growth and independence, while preserving our cultural heritage?  

Experience

My professional journey has encompassed various roles, including supporting vulnerable Asian women at the Sahil Project in Coventry, assisting individuals navigating complex bereavement at the Myton Hospice, as well as other mental health organisations.

In addition to my clinical work, I hold the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Warwick, where I am actively involved in teaching and mentoring students on both undergraduate and postgraduate counselling courses.

Qualifications and membership

PhD in Health Sciences – Mums4Mums: Evaluating Telephone-Based Peer-Support for Postnatal Depression

PG Diploma Infant Mental Health

I have experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and am proficient in providing therapeutic dialogues in my mother tongue, Punjabi, and can also extend my services to those who speak Hindi and Urdu.

My therapeutic approach is primarily conducted online, and I have seamlessly integrated this method into my practice. For individuals who may find it challenging to share their thoughts and feelings, the convenience of participating in therapy from their own confidential and secure environment can be a valuable asset. 

How I work

My approach to my work is rooted in offering you a safe and nurturing space to explore your true self – the person you aspire to become. It can be quite challenging to fully embrace your authentic self when external expectations and demands shape your identity. Many individuals may find themselves living their lives without a deep understanding of who they are, why they behave the way they do, or why they encounter difficulties in their relationships.

As a relational attachment-focused integrative psychotherapist, I draw upon the wealth of knowledge and experiences I have gathered over the years to connect with the real you. My ultimate goal is to create an environment where you can uncover unconscious patterns, fostering greater self-awareness and enabling you to live consciously and purposefully.

My approach to the first session acknowledges the challenges of seeking support, especially if it's a new experience for you. It can be daunting to find someone who can meet both your articulated needs and the unspoken ones.

I extend an invitation to you to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation 30-minute online appointment. This introductory session allows us to connect and see if my therapeutic approach aligns with your expectations and we can establish our working relationship.

Flexible

Parent Infant Psychotherapist

Becoming a parent can be a beautiful yet challenging transition, and it's completely normal to have feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. 

At the core of my professional practice lies a commitment to providing empathetic relational support to individuals grappling with issues around impending parenthood such as anxiety, fatigue or low mood. With close to a decade of experience, I bring my expertise to support you through this life transition.

My aim to support you in understanding your baby's unique ways of communicating and expressing their needs, such as when they are crying, not feeding or sleeping, what could be going on for them?  In some cases, challenges like past miscarriages or traumatic birthing experiences can impact negatively on forming a secure attachment with your baby.

Therapy offers a safe and non-judgmental space to explore becoming parents before conception, during pregnancy, and after childbirth. I am passionate about nurturing positive connections between parents and their infants, fostering moments of warmth and closeness that strengthen the bond between them.

There is no such thing as a perfect parent, my work focuses on being ‘good enough’ (Winnicott).  Supporting the 1001 critical days initiative, I work with parents expecting a baby and with babies up to the age of two years old.  

Experience

My professional journey includes working at the Birmingham Children's Hospital as an Under Fives Mental Health Link worker and at the Northampton Parent Infant Psychotherapy (Norpip). 

Assistant Professor - University of Warwick

In addition to my clinical work, I was a member of the Warwick Infant and Family Wellbeing Unit at the University of Warwick and now hold the position of Assistant Professor, where I am teaching students on both undergraduate and postgraduate counselling courses

Qualifications/membership

PhD in Health Sciences – Mums4Mums: Evaluating Telephone-Based Peer-Support for Postnatal Depression

PG Diploma Infant Mental Health 

I have experience working with mothers and their babies, sometimes fathers too, from diverse backgrounds.

My therapeutic approach is primarily conducted online, and I have seamlessly integrated this method into my practice. For individuals who may find it challenging to share their thoughts and feelings, the convenience of participating in therapy from their own confidential and secure environment can be a valuable asset.

How I work

My approach to my work is rooted in offering you a safe and nurturing space to explore your relationship with your baby – the parent you aspire to become. It can be quite challenging to fully embrace your authentic self when transitioning into parenthood.  

As a relational attachment-focused integrative psychotherapist, I draw upon the wealth of knowledge and experiences I have gathered over the years to connect with the real you. My ultimate goal is to create an environment where you can uncover unconscious patterns, fostering greater self-awareness and enabling you to live consciously and purposefully.

Languages

I am proficient in providing therapeutic dialogues in my mother tongue, Punjabi, and can also extend my services to those who speak Hindi and Urdu.

My approach to the first session acknowledges the challenges of seeking support, especially if it's a new experience for you. It can be daunting to find someone who can meet both your articulated needs and the unspoken ones.  Becoming  parent can also be a busy time so some targetted support can prove helpful.

I extend an invitation to you to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation 30-minute online appointment. This introductory session allows us to connect and see if my therapeutic approach aligns with your expectations and we can establish our working relationship.

I am an integrative psychotherapist, with the ‘relationship’ at the core of my therapeutic approach. 

Please see my main counselling profile on this site.

I am currently undertaking clinical supervision training by an accredited UKCP training provider.   My supervision cost includes access to written supervision notes. For trainees the cost includes compliance with all necessary placement and training establishment paperwork.

Supervision rate is £30 per hour during training.  Once I have completed my training, this fee will be increased.

Student supervision will be in accord with the training establishment, placement and BACP requirements.

I offer an initial 30 minute free session to discuss your supervision needs and for me to answer any questions you may have.

If you then proceed, In our first session we will explore our contract together that I will have previously emailed to you. I provide a supervision preparation sheet if required and the notes I take during our sessions are kept on file confidentially and can be accessed at any time on request.