Shagufta Qadir , BACP

Shagufta Qadir is a UK-licensed therapist with seven years of professional experience supporting people through a wide range of emotional and life challenges. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, and many other difficulties, offering practical guidance alongside emotional support. As a practitioner holding BACP accreditation - membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - she follows recognised professional standards while tailoring care to each person she meets.

Shagufta approaches therapy from the belief that the individual is the expert in their own life and that their strengths are key resources for change. She creates a collaborative space where clients can explore patterns around intimacy, family dynamics, parenting, career concerns, mood disorders, and identity matters such as LGBT issues. Her work also addresses specific areas like eating and sleeping problems, compassion fatigue, and coping with chronic illness or caregiver stress.

Taking the first step toward change can feel daunting, and Shagufta frames that step as an act of courage. She aims to support clients in building confidence, improving communication, and developing coping strategies that fit their values and goals. Fluent in English and Urdu, she is open to working with both UK-based and international clients using a variety of online formats.

Approaches that guide online therapy and support

Shagufta uses a blend of Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address emotional and relational difficulties. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape current patterns and helps people develop healthier ways of connecting and responding to others, which can be useful for issues like intimacy, abandonment, and family dynamics. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgement and helping clients discover their own solutions by emphasising empathy, respect, and the person’s strengths. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact and offers practical tools to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and change unhelpful patterns.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work together. Shagufta collaborates with each client to identify goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, adjusting methods as therapy progresses to fit individual needs.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people balancing work, family, or differing time zones. These options make it easier to access consistent support from licensed professionals without changing daily routines, and they allow therapy to continue even when life circumstances make in-person meetings difficult.