Aisha AbdulSalam Winningah

I am currently available to accept clients within my practice. 

I offer warm, collaborative counselling and psychotherapy for adults who feel overwhelmed, anxious, stuck in unhelpful patterns, or carrying the impact of past experiences. Many of my clients are high-functioning women and used to “holding it all together” while feeling stressed, resentful, or emotionally exhausted.

My way of working is integrative, drawing on:

• Person-centred therapy to create a safe, non-judgemental space

• Psychodynamic ideas to explore early experiences, attachment and recurring relational patterns

• CBT-informed strategies to understand thoughts, feelings and behaviours and build practical coping tools

I work in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive way, at a pace that feels manageable, with attention to the nervous system (grounding, stabilisation and emotional regulation). Together we clarify what you want from therapy and develop a focused plan—whether that is reducing anxiety, improving self-esteem, setting boundaries, processing difficult memories, or strengthening relationships.

Sessions are structured but flexible: some weeks we explore and reflect; other weeks we practise skills you can use immediately. I offer both brief, goal-focused work and longer-term therapy—supporting insight, confidence and meaningful change.

I offer online sessions. I am a registered and fully accredited member of the BACP and work in line with its Ethical Framework, with regular clinical supervision and ongoing CPD.

My practice; InnerStead Therapy offers online counselling and psychotherapy for adults who feel emotionally overwhelmed, anxious, low in mood, or stuck in patterns that no longer serve them. Many of the people I support are high-functioning and capable on the outside, yet privately carrying stress, guilt, resentment, relationship strain, or the long-term impact of past experiences.

When you work with me, you can expect a calm, compassionate and professional space where you won’t be judged or rushed. I take time to understand what has brought you to therapy, what you have already tried, and what you want to be different. Together we agree a clear focus for our work, while staying flexible to what emerges week to week.

My practice is integrative and trauma-informed, drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic and CBT-informed approaches. This means we can explore deeper roots—such as attachment, family roles, and repeated relationship dynamics—while also using practical tools to help you cope in the present (for example, grounding, emotional regulation, and strategies for managing anxious thoughts).

Therapy may involve making sense of your experiences, building self-understanding, strengthening boundaries, improving communication, processing difficult memories, or reconnecting with your needs and identity. Some clients prefer brief, goal-focused work; others choose longer-term therapy for deeper change.

Sessions are delivered online and are confidential. I work in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, with regular clinical supervision and ongoing professional development. If you are considering therapy, you are welcome to get in touch to discuss what you need and whether I am the right fit for you.

In your first session, we will focus on helping you feel comfortable, understood, and clear about what therapy with me will look like. We will explore what has brought you to counselling now, what you are finding most difficult, and what you would like to change. You do not need to “tell your whole story” in one go—we will work at a pace that feels manageable.

I will ask some gentle assessment questions to understand your current circumstances, relevant history, and any immediate risks or safeguarding concerns. This helps ensure the support is appropriate and that we can agree the safest and most helpful way forward. Where useful, I may also invite you to complete brief screening questionnaires (such as PHQ-9/GAD-7) to give us a baseline and help track progress, though these are optional.

We will also cover practicalities: confidentiality and its limits, session structure, cancellations, and how we will work together. By the end of the first session, we will agree initial goals and a tentative plan—whether you are looking for short-term, focused support or longer-term therapy.

I do not offer a different rate for the first session. If you would like a brief, free introductory call before booking, I can offer this to help you decide if I am the right fit.