Layla - Counsellor

Layla – Counsellor

  • Qualified Integrative Counsellor
  • Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
  • Member of the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (MBACP)
  • Adults and young people (18+)
  • Presentation specialisms: Bereavement, Depression, Anxiety, Relationship Challenges, Self-esteem, Stress (Work, school and Personal) and Trauma.
  • Appointments are available in the daytime and evenings.
  • Online & Telephone.

Offering compassionate, trauma-informed therapy rooted in respect, empathy, and empowerment


About Layla
Layla is a qualified Integrative Counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), with a background in therapeutic counselling and over a decade of frontline experience in the care sector. She is passionate about supporting individuals through complex emotional landscapes, particularly those shaped by trauma, abuse, anxiety, and self-doubt.

Layla’s counselling style is warm, collaborative, and adaptable. She integrates person-centred, humanistic, and psychodynamic approaches, believing that therapy should honour each person’s unique story while providing tools for deeper understanding and healing. She also weaves in aspects of CBT, guided meditation, visualisation, and inner child work, depending on the client’s needs.

At the core of her work is a belief in the power of safe, trusting relationships—especially for those whose past experiences have involved disempowerment or fear.


Specialist Experience in Domestic Abuse & Trauma Support

Layla brings a depth of insight and sensitivity to her trauma work, grounded in her placement experience with Hestia Women’s Domestic Abuse Refuge. There, she provided both face-to-face and online therapy to women navigating recovery from domestic violence.

Her work included supporting clients through:

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety and panic

  • Uncertainty around their future and identity

  • Attachment wounds and relational difficulties

Layla’s humanistic foundation helped clients feel respected and safe, allowing for the reparative work needed to rebuild trust and self-worth. Her integrative approach allowed her to blend emotional exploration with practical techniques for emotional regulation, coping strategies, and safety planning.

She was also actively involved in risk assessment, safeguarding, and multi-agency advocacy, collaborating with solicitors, housing officers, the Home Office, and other professionals to support her clients’ broader wellbeing. When necessary, she has facilitated referrals to mental health services and psychologists to ensure holistic care.


Therapeutic Approach

Layla’s integrative style means she draws from a range of therapeutic models to suit the needs of each client:

  • Person-Centred Therapy – Offers a non-judgmental, empathetic space where you are supported to explore your experiences at your own pace.

  • Humanistic Principles – Help build self-awareness, emotional resilience, and a sense of personal empowerment.

  • Psychodynamic Insights – Bring attention to how early life experiences and unconscious patterns might influence current thoughts, feelings, and relationships.

  • CBT Tools – Support the development of practical strategies for managing anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and emotional overwhelm.

  • Creative and Somatic Work – Techniques like guided meditation, visualisation, and inner child work can deepen self-compassion and body awareness.

Layla believes in working with clients rather than on them, helping each person feel truly seen and supported throughout their therapeutic journey.


Issues Layla Can Help With

Layla supports adults (18+) with a range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including:

  • Trauma and abuse recovery

  • Anxiety and emotional regulation

  • Low self-esteem and shame

  • Grief and loss

  • Depression and overwhelm

  • Inner child and attachment work

  • Life transitions and identity issues

  • Relational or interpersonal difficulties

  • Cultural, systemic, or intersectional challenges

Her counselling is always inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed. She has worked with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including those with disabilities, individuals navigating the justice system, and people living with complex emotional or physical needs.


Background and Values

Layla’s early experience in the care sector, supporting people with Alzheimer’s, hoarding behaviours, and re-entry after prison, has given her a strong foundation in compassion, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability. She brings this same grounded presence to her counselling sessions, alongside professional strengths in:

  • Risk awareness and safeguarding

  • Multi-agency collaboration

  • Crisis intervention and grounding techniques

  • Therapeutic report writing

  • Advocacy and ethical care

She is deeply committed to ongoing learning, reflective practice, and ensuring each client feels respected and understood.


A Note from Layla

“You don’t have to carry things alone. I offer a space where your experiences are honoured, your voice is heard, and your story is met with care. Together, we’ll explore what’s brought you here and work towards greater clarity, strength, and emotional balance.”


Session Availability
Layla offers both online and telephone sessions, with flexible session times to accommodate your schedule.

More Info

Location: Online

Types of Sessions​

  • Online
  • Phone​

 

Types of Client​

  • Young People (18+)
  • Adults
  • Older People
  • Organisations
  • Employee Assistance Programmes

 

Languages​

  • English​

 

Availability​​

  • Daytime
  • Evening

 

Professional Membership​

  • Member of the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (MBACP).

 

Therapeutic Approach & Training​

  • Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling

 

Areas of Counselling Layla works with:

 Alcoholism

 Drug addiction

 Gambling

 Hoarding

 Internet addiction

 Smoking

 Anorexia Nervosa

 Bulimia

 Eating Discorder

Diabetes

Healthy Eating

Weight Management

 Career counselling

 Redundancy

 Work-related stress

Executive Coaching

 Bereavement

 Cancer

 Carer support

 Discrimination

 HIV/AIDS

 Loneliness

 Low self-confidence

 Low self-esteem

 Self-harm

 Spirituality

 Suicidal thoughts

 Anger management

 Anxiety

 Bipolar disorder

 Depression

 Feeling sad

 Generalised anxiety disorder

 Health anxiety

 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

 Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder

 Panic attacks

 Paranoia

 Passive-aggressive behaviour

 Phobias

 Postnatal depression

 Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

 Stress

 ADHD

 Asperger’s syndrome

 Autism

 Disabilities

ADD

 Abortion

 Abuse

 Affairs and betrayals

 Attachment disorder in children

 Behaviour problems

 Bullying

 Child-related issues

 Childhood bereavement

 Childhood bullying

 Children’s learning difficulties

 Depression and anxiety in children

 Domestic violence

 Emotional abuse

 Family issues

 Infertility

 Learning difficulties

 Miscarriage

 Physical abuse

 Pregnancy and birth

 Relationship problems

 Separation and divorce

 Separation anxiety

 Sexual abuse

 Sexuality

 Young carers

Couples Therapy

Family Therapy

Sex Therapy

 Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

 Trauma

  • Listing ID: 1155
  • Type of Support: CBT Counselling, Counselling, Emotion Freedom Technique
  • Types of Counselling: Adults (18+)
  • Type of Session: Online (Via Zoom & Skype), Phone
  • Availability: Daytime, Evening