Sayma Arshad, BACP

Sayma Arshad uses an integrative, person-centred approach to therapy. She combines clear practical techniques with warm, attentive listening. She aims to create a calm space where people can talk through what feels hard and start to feel steadier.

She draws on 13 years of experience in the mental health sector, including work in the NHS, social services and charity settings. That background gives her a broad view of how life circumstances, work and relationships affect wellbeing. She has particular experience supporting people with anxiety, depression, bereavement and stress.

Her practice blends several methods so sessions can be tailored to each person. Cognitive approaches help with patterns of thinking and behaviour. Attachment and emotionally focused ideas look at how relationships shape feelings and reactions.

She also brings experience of trauma, abuse and later-stage ADHD diagnosis into her work. This means she can help people process past hurt and manage ongoing symptoms. She has supported people through issues such as betrayal, narcissistic abuse and workplace stress.

Sayma aims to make the first session straightforward and manageable. She listens first, then agrees simple goals and steps. People can expect a mix of practical tools, reflective conversation and compassion as they work toward change.

How Sayma's approaches work online

Sayma often uses attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape feelings and behaviour. This approach helps people who notice repeated patterns in close relationships or who struggle with trust and emotional safety. It focuses on improving how people connect and respond to others.

She also uses cognitive behavioural therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. CBT provides straightforward exercises and experiments to test unhelpful thinking and build practical coping skills for anxiety, low mood and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Sayma will explore goals and preferences together and suggest ways of combining methods to fit each person's needs. That collaborative process helps set clear, manageable steps and keeps therapy focused on what matters to the client.

Online sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone conversations, live chat or text-based messaging. Video is useful for deeper conversations, phone calls can work when bandwidth is limited, and messaging or live chat can suit brief check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and daily life while keeping the focus on progress and practical change.