Sunah Akhtar , BACP

Sunah Akhtar is a counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety and life changes. She works in the United Kingdom and uses a warm, person-centred style to make it easier to talk about difficult feelings. Sunah speaks English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu which can help clients explain sensitive issues in the language they prefer.

Sunah has nine years of experience and is a BACP member, which means she holds the BACP credential listed with her name. She has supported people through depression, panic attacks, low self-esteem, grief and relationship concerns. She also works with issues such as addiction, eating and sleeping problems, ADHD and compassion fatigue.

Her approach blends practical strategies with compassionate listening. She draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques to help people change unhelpful patterns. Attachment-based ideas are used when relationship or intimacy issues are a focus.

Sessions can be delivered by video, phone, live chat or messaging, offering flexibility for different needs. Sunah aims to help clients set realistic goals and build skills they can use between sessions.

Her background includes a four-year placement providing emotional support at community services. That experience informs her work with people facing loss, trauma, career strain and major life transitions. She describes therapy as a collaborative process, where clients and counsellor choose approaches that best fit the person’s situation.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts without getting stuck in them and focus on actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression and major life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches practical techniques to reduce symptoms like panic or low mood. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns in close connections and can help when intimacy or trust is a concern.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sunah will discuss options with each person and try methods that fit their goals and preferences. The plan is collaborative, so techniques and focus may shift as needs change.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for people with busy lives. Video calls let the therapist and client use visual cues and work in depth, while phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or a quick check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit brief reflections or ongoing support between sessions. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving or travel and allow consistent contact when in-person meetings are difficult.