Learn to lower your anxiety

^{Iffat Shafiuddin}

I offer:

1. Online One to One counselling therapeutic sessions (incorporating The Polyvagal Theory) on Zoom
2. Yoga One to One in-person (also incorporating The Polyvagal Theory) for:

Professionals
Adolescents
Adults

_{Please note I work with adults and young people above 14 years of age.}

About Me

Qualifications, Experience and Training

I am a neurodiverse counsellor and qualified in 1997. In addition I am an Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

You can find me on the BACP register here and am insured.

I also qualified as a Yoga teacher (200 hours) in 2023.

I have worked within various roles within Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), in Education (Further Education College and Schools, both Primary and Secondary), with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Place2Be (Improving Children's Mental Health in Schools), Your Healthcare (working with children with Autism) within Domestic Violence projects (Women's Aid) and Cruse Bereavement Care.

I have been counselling both adults and children for over 10 years and have gained specialist experience and expertise in neurodivergence such as Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) particularly Asperger's and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Specialisms

ADHD*
Autism Spectrum Condition (Aspergers)
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA)
Anxiety
Trauma
Identity

_{*Particularly with people who may have spent the majority of their lives "masking", sometimes without realising.}

Having worked with people of all ages in different settings as a counsellor my work with professionals and young adults took a positive turn towards somatic embodiment practice of connecting the mind with the body and slowing down the pace within oneself to reduce stress and anxiety and raise self-esteem and confidence. I incorporate Polyvagal Theory into my counselling and yoga sesions for mind-body integration which works very well for neurodiverse individuals.

The Polyvagal Theory – The Vagus Nerve - (Stephen Porges:2011*) explains how to understand and befriend our internal surveillance system. This system via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, searches for cues of social engagement, connection and safety and cues of threat, danger and disconnection which can lead to appreciating and managing our emotions.
This prevents our brains from becoming hijacked and consumed by intense overwhelming feelings aiming to self-regulate via co-regulation for example in one-to-one counselling or yoga.

My one to one yoga teaching has included adults and teenagers whereby the sessions are all about you and we use the present moment to work through past patterns leading towards creating new neural pathways in the brain positively triggered by embodied practices. Healthy habits can become second nature in times of stress.

You can listen to my guest appearances on these Spotify ADHD podcasts here and here.

Read my contributions to articles related to ADHD 1 here and article 2 here (click here to access archive of web article 2).

What to Expect: Online Counselling

1. Online One to One therapeutic sessions on Zoom

We'd start with an initial assessment for me to be aware of the reason(s) for you (or your child) to want counselling and the nature of difficulties, as well as for you to ask questions.

I'll also talk through the process of counselling.

Namely:

I will not pressure you into talking
You can bring issues within your own pace
The process will be centred around your needs (hence the assessment process to identify your needs)
The counselling is confidential.

The only exemption being that if you are a danger to yourself or others in which case I would follow the BACP Therapeutic Guidelines and Ethical Framework. This is standard practice and is part of my responsibility to you and can be explained further prior to commencement of therapy. I work within BACP's Ethical Framework found here.

One-to-one counselling sessions include:

an opportunity for you to talk through what's in your mind and heart without judgement thereby providing greater clarity
Polyvagal Theory (as well as other counselling theory) and how this influences your life, leading to greater self-awareness and an increased understanding of ways to lower stress and anxiety
integration of mind and body leading to greater emotional resilience via specific-to-you strategies
momentum tailored to your needs

I hold an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate.

What to Expect: Yoga

2. Yoga One to One in-person incorporating The Polyvagal Theory

Being a Counsellor and Yoga teacher (practicing for over 10 years) I intertwine both elements in my one-to-one sessions. The Polyvagal Theory, interestingly, is mirrored in ancient yogic philosophy which I combine.

A key factor for success comes from attuning to the needs of my clients by building a solid foundation based on social reciprocity and rapport, and organically adapting the sessions to your needs in any given moment. Expect playfulness, challenge and specific education relating to YOUR mind and body. Having a counselling and yoga background provides a perfect balance.

Firstly we’ll have an initial one to one assessment to:

delve into your best hopes
explore your experience of moving your body dynamically
talk through your mental and physical health history
create a yoga therapeutic plan (with direction and built-in flexibility required to adapt to your moment-to-moment needs)

…finishing off with yoga. A review will follow at session 6.

I offer flexible times and can travel to your home or work-place within/near the following areas:
Kingston, Richmond, West London and parts of Central London.

One-to-one yoga sessions include:

The Polyvagal Theory and how this influences your life, leading to greater self-awareness and an increased understanding of ways to lower stress and anxiety specific to you
somatic practices and asanas (poses) in Vinyasa (flowing) or Hatha (slower) yoga focusing on recognising and understanding your body under stress or in a state of anxiety including Neuroception (perceived threat/safety using Polyvagal Theory)
building strength, focus, endurance and concentration in both mind and body leading to greater emotional resilience
pranayama: different types of deep breathing to help initiate the parasympathetic nervous system whilst understanding the role of Polyvagal Theory in stimulating the vagus nerve within subdiaphragmatic and supradiaphragmatic locations in the body
relaxing Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) helping to sustain rest and restoration so your body becomes familiar with being in an extended relaxed state by ‘befriending’ the parasympathetic nervous system (time permitting)

The sessions focus on self-regulation from co-regulation with a view of extending the duration and experience of calm.

You don’t have to relive trauma to heal because “The Body Keeps the Score”.**

Healing can come from the release experienced in yoga.

I abide by the Yoga Alliance International Professionals Code of Practice.

Fees

1. Online One to One therapeutic sessions on Zoom:

Fees are from £100 per 50 minute session.

2. Yoga One to One in-person incorporating The Polyvagal Theory:

First session assessment: £100 for 60 minutes.

Subsequent sessions from £100 for 60 minutes booked in blocks of 6.

One off group workshops also available. Please contact me via email below.

Contact

Please feel free to contact me for further information or to book for counselling or yoga on:

Text 07784777205
learn.to.lower.your.anxiety@gmail.com

_{* Porges SW (2011) The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment,
Communication and Self-regulation. New York:WW Norton}
_{** M.D. Bessel van der Kolk (2015) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin}