Hi, I’m Laila
I am a qualified and registered BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) Counsellor in private practice. The BACP register is approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, which is a professional body ensuring that all their practitioners are following a strict code of conduct.
I have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling at York St John University. My orientation is humanistic, and I integrate different approaches. I am very interested in the different parts of what makes you, and have some knowledge of Internal Family Systems approach and currently reading more into this theory.
I have worked in a range of mental health settings in the NHS, and more recently in Higher Education.
I have experience in delivering counselling to clients with a wide range of backgrounds. I work with individuals and couples. I have regular continuing professional development training and courses to further my knowledge and practice on an ongoing basis to keep my clinical skills evolving to best serve my work with clients and couples.
A personal plan
Working together, we will create the change you seek to improve how you are feeling. By exploring your thoughts, feelings and behaviours - the parts - helps with self discovery.
I offer my clients a safe and supportive environment and my approach to the counselling relationship is accepting, non-judging, and authentic. I believe that a person’s early life experiences influence the person we become, and how we relate to others. The therapeutic relationship can help us find where we are ‘stuck’ in the past, and being brave to explore a new way of being.
A mindful approach
In my counselling approach, mindfulness is an interpersonal ‘way of being’ with clients.
Mindfulness helps cultivate inner acceptance and awareness, which in turn enables me to offer a client acceptance, empathy, and genuineness.
KIND WORDS
“I first started with Laila alongside a list of undesirable patterns in my life. I expected these things to take a significant amount of time before I saw an improvement. Thanks to Laila's imperturbable and pensive approach, I've seen rapid improvement in the quality of my life; improvement I didn't expect in such a short time. Laila has been instrumental in helping me build a path to a better life.” Client
A safe environment
My office is in the Huntington area of York. There is parking available. The location is easily accessible by public transport, the number 9 park and ride service from York centre is the closest and easiest.
I also offer online appointments.
I have a registered therapy dog, please ask me for more details. I have two dogs who live with me, please let me know if this would be a concern for you.
Qualifications and Accreditations
Postgraduate Diploma in Humanistic Counselling at York St John (BACP accredited course)
Certificate in Couples Counselling (Accredited International Society of Professional Counsellors)
Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
MSc in Health and Social Care Management
Acceptance Commitment Therapy essentials
Mental Health First Aid Trainer
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Working on Dreams and the Denial Paradox: A Gestalt Approach
Getting Started in Couples Therapy - Imago Foundations
Continuous Development
I am committed to my own personal and professional development. This means attending therapy myself and having regular supervision.
I regularly attend workshops and complete additional certifications in the field of counselling, specifically relationship counselling and mindfulness. I am currently interested in Internal Family Systems, and Imago Relationship Therapy.
Drawing from my life experience, cultural understanding, and career in management, I have developed an understanding into the diverse challenges we encounter throughout our journeys. Furthermore I understand how difficult it is to make life altering decisions and face our fears, which I hope contributes to connection with my clients.