Hodan Ahmed , BACP

Hodan Ahmed helps people who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck. She offers a warm, non-judgemental space where clients can talk through difficult feelings. Hodan speaks English and Somali and works with people across the United Kingdom and beyond.

Hodan uses a mix of approaches to match each person’s needs. After an initial conversation she chooses methods that fit the situation, focusing on what will help most. Sessions often centre on recognising strengths and building practical ways to cope with stress and big life changes.

She draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how past relationships affect current connections. Cognitive behavioural techniques are used to notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. Emotionally focused work helps when strong feelings get in the way of close relationships.

Hodan has five years of clinical experience and has supported people facing trauma, sexual abuse, domestic violence, bereavement and suicidal feelings. She also helps clients with parenting challenges, intimacy concerns, anger, communication problems and finding a stronger sense of self.

Her style is caring and empathic. Sessions aim to highlight achievements and build on small successes rather than only focusing on setbacks. People who want a straightforward, supportive therapist who listens without judgement may find her approach helpful.

How Hodan’s approaches translate to online counselling

Hodan commonly uses attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioural therapy in her online work. Attachment-based therapy looks at how early relationships shape current ways of relating and helps people build healthier connections. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of responding to lower anxiety and improve mood.

She also draws on emotionally focused ideas when strong feelings affect relationships, helping people name and work with intense emotions. Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Hodan will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and together they will decide which methods to try first, adapting as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions can fit a break at work or require less bandwidth, and messaging or live chat work well for shorter check-ins or when typing feels easier than speaking. These options help people access regular support around other commitments and from different locations in the United Kingdom or internationally.