Shagufta Qadir , BACP

Shagufta Qadir is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom with seven years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addiction struggles and low self-esteem. She also offers support for relationship concerns, motivation and confidence. She speaks English and Urdu and draws on a client-centred outlook in sessions.

Shagufta believes each person knows their own story and brings strengths to the work. In conversation she focuses on listening first, then helping clients set small, realistic goals. Sessions aim to break problems into manageable steps so progress feels clear and reachable.

Her practical toolkit includes cognitive behavioural ideas to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. She also uses attachment-based thinking to look at how early relationships shape patterns today. Motivational interviewing and solution-focused methods help when someone needs clarity and drive to make changes.

Work with Shagufta is collaborative. She will ask about what matters most and tailor sessions to individual needs. People often come for short-term support around a specific issue or for longer work through deeper patterns.

Sessions can take place in English or Urdu and are suitable for people dealing with grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, body image and many other concerns. Taking the first step is often the hardest part, and she aims to make that step feel understandable and doable.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Shagufta uses client-centred counselling which places the person and their experience at the heart of the work; sessions begin with careful listening so the goals are set by the client and guided by their pace. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and to practise simple techniques that change day-to-day patterns, useful for anxiety, mood and sleep problems. Attachment-based ideas help explore how early relationship patterns influence current struggles, which can be helpful for intimacy, trust and relationship concerns.

Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss different methods and try approaches that match the client's needs, goals and preferences. Over a few sessions they check what helps and adjust the plan together so the work stays relevant and practical.

Online therapy offers flexibility and practical benefits. Video calls give a face-to-face feeling when that is important. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter option is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit shorter check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and travel while keeping the focus on steady, achievable progress.