Dr Prarthana Shetty

I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The British Psychological Society (BPS). I have extensive experience working collaboratively with diverse client groups across different settings including the NHS, the charity sector, and through private practice. As a female psychologist from an ethnic minority, I am mindful of how I navigate and balance these multiple identities within myself. Doing so has led me to actively consider how various identities play a role in people’s daily lived experiences. This means I am attuned to issues of diversity and place my clients’ realities at the very core of my work.

Most of us will experience times in our lives when things can feel too much, and these feelings may be too overwhelming to unpack alone. It is important to have a space to process difficult thoughts and emotions, perhaps even more so during these challenging times. There are many reasons why people seek psychological support; some may have specific issues on which they want to focus, while others may be experiencing difficulties that are less easily defined. I offer therapy for a range of difficulties, and have listed them below. Please note that it is not an exhaustive list, so it may help you to contact me through BRP to discuss your particular needs.

I understand that it can be daunting to take the decision to trust someone with the parts of you that may feel fragile or shameful. My role is to hold a containing, compassionate space where we can explore your emotional experiences and relational patterns. I am trained in a range of therapeutic models including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person-Centred Therapy, and Psychodynamic Therapy. I work within the traditional CBT framework as well as third-wave CBT approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness. The way I work is integrative. This means I often draw from a range of therapeutic approaches when required, to meet each client’s individual needs. I believe that one of the most important and transformative aspects of my work is the therapeutic relationship with the person sitting opposite me – or indeed on my screen at the present! Therefore, my first aim is to provide a reflective and non-judgemental space for you to use in a way that best helps you meet your needs.

My sessions tend to be 50 minutes long, and I typically meet clients once a week. I try to foster a therapeutic relationship that nurtures the balance between support and challenge. As a practitioner I would describe my style as warm and empathic, and my objective is that you feel seen, heard, and empowered to navigate your choices.

These are some of the issues I can help with: Trauma, life transitions, abandonment, fertility, childbirth, and parenting. Bereavement through death and other forms of loss. Abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual), family conflict, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, stress or burnout (work or home), low self-esteem. This is an illustrative and not an exhaustive list.