Semeyra Sawar
Training and Experience
Semeyra is a BACP Accredited therapist and has over 11 years’ experience of counselling and psychotherapy work with individual clients. She has worked in a range of settings with clients from many different backgrounds, experiencing the full spectrum of mental health problems, diagnoses and life challenges. She has specialist experience working with university students at all levels of study including mature students (from undergraduate to PhD) having worked within 3 London university counselling and disability services. She has also previously worked as a specialist mental health mentor with university students.
Semeyra is experienced in short-term and solution- focussed work (between 1-8 sessions) as well as long-term work, which usually involves a deeper exploration and working-through of past trauma.
Before working as a counsellor, Semeyra spent several years working within the social care, health and education sectors directly supporting people with learning and physical disabilities and long-term health conditions. She has experience and knowledge of issues relevant to clients with disabilities, including long-term mental health conditions and specific learning difficulties (ADHD, dyslexia).
As well as the experience mentioned above, Semeyra has specialist interests in working with individual clients experiencing relationship and attachment difficulties and issues related to cultural and religious identity.
Approach
Semeyra integrates humanistic ideas (empathy, genuineness and a consideration of the client’s current ‘here and now’ experience) with psychodynamic principles (awareness of unconscious processes, early experiences and repetitive patterns). She also has experience and training in mindfulness practices, which she also brings into her work where relevant. Semeyra aims to provide a containing, none-judgemental and safe therapeutic relationship. A central idea within her therapeutic work is that the experience of a genuine and accepting therapeutic relationship, which is reparative, can empower clients to make changes where appropriate. Within a supportive and containing therapeutic relationship, clients also develop their ability to be more self-compassionate and accepting towards themselves and their difficulties.
Specialties
Relationship and attachment difficulties (for individual clients)
Family difficulties
Depression
Anxiety
Academic problems
Work problems
Stress
Disability
Body Image difficulties
Cultural and religious identity issues
Pregnancy
Illness
Bereavement
Low self- esteem
Past abusive experiences and trauma
Personality disorder