Seema Barua PG Dip MBACP

​Person Centred, CBT and Psychodynamic Counsellor and Psychotherapist
Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)

07581 410 015

How do I know if I need counselling?

Deciding to see a therapist is a completely personal choice and picking up the phone to make a counselling session booking can be daunting. If you feel you are struggling emotionally within yourself and would like to talk to somebody, counselling can help in ways that you may not be able to visualise right now. Sometimes talking about difficulties with a trained and experienced therapist can help create a new way of thinking.

I do offer a free 20 minute telephone consultation for anybody who has any questions or feels unsure about whether counselling is for them.

What is Psychodynamic Therapy?

Psychodynamic Therapy looks at the importance of the unconscious and how past trauma has affected current behaviour. Psychodynamic counselling involves recognising repeated patterns, talking about relationships with parents and significant others and how these psychological issues have been brought into your existing life. In a psychodynamic counselling session we will explore patterns, answer direct questions, interpret dreams and revisit childhood experiences.

What is Person Centred Therapy?

Person Centred Therapy is a counselling approach which allows clients to work at their own pace. You will lead the therapy process process and I will supporting you with any psychological issue you wish to discuss. Person centred therapy is a nondirective, client led counselling approach. As an empathetic and non - judgemental approach to therapy, it is beneficial to help begin the process of resolving any issues that you might was to discuss during counselling treatment.

You can find out about the different types of therapy on www.bacp.co.uk

Are you registered with any counselling or psychotherapy governing body?

I am a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am bound by their code of ethics and safe practice for psychologists and psychotherapists. As an ethical and respectable counsellor I am committed to professional and moral conduct.

For more information about the BACP’s (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy) ethical framework please visit their website: www.bacp.co.uk/ethical_framework

I am also a member of the Black and Asian Therapist's Network (BAATN)
For more information about the BAATN visit their website: www.baatn.org.uk

Why do you keep client notes during a counselling session?

I keep brief session notes during all my therapy sessions for my personal reference and to present to supervision if required. The contents of each counselling session is confidential. I do not use any other identifying details about my clients. All clients are fully entitled to see their therapy session notes.

Is your counselling service confidential?

The answer to this is quite simple. Yes, counselling is a completely confidential service. All clients coming to me for counselling can trust that all their personal and private information will be kept private. Building a genuine and authentic relationship together requires trust and without confidentiality the therapeutic process will face many challenges. For counselling to be effective it is crucial to feel safe in the space that is provided to you.

For how long will I need to attend counselling sessions?

I offer both short term and long term therapy for clients in South Woodford, Ilford and Rainham. More often than not a client may not know how many counselling sessions they want or require. I do encourage people to discuss this with me; counselling can sometimes be difficult and exploring this together can be helpful in making a decision that feels right for you.

The first therapy session is an opportunity for us both to see if we would like to work together towards better psychological health. After this initial counselling session we can explore the number of therapy sessions I recommend and you would like and agree on a day, time and fees. There is an opportunity for regular reviews every 6 – 8 weeks where we can discuss our progress and the amount of counselling treatment still required.


What happens after I make contact with you to book a counselling appointment?

Upon making an enquiry, we can decide on a suitable time for us to meet for your first therapy session. This will be an opportunity to discuss what brought you to counselling, any experience with previous psychotherapists, any fears, expectations or reservations that you may be experiencing about starting treatment and anything else that you may wish to ask about counselling in general or my approach to therapy. If we both agree to work together we can then set the next therapy session. I offer weekly and fortnightly counselling appointments, however because therapy involves an emotional process weekly sessions are recommended.


Is there parking at your counselling rooms?

Rainham: Yes, there is parking and it is free to park directly outside.

South Woodford: There is parking, it is Ringo, pay by phone. The first 30 minutes are free and then it is approximately £1.20 for 1 - 2 hours.