- 11 years experience
- BACP registered
- Supports codependency
About Summar
Summar Ali is a counsellor who aims to help people make sense of hard moments. She offers a calm, compassionate space to talk about stress, relationships, grief, addiction and other difficult issues. Her approach is grounded in listening first, then working together to find practical steps forward.
She draws on eleven years of clinical experience across NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, school counselling, drug and alcohol services, bereavement support and sexual trauma work. She has also lectured at the University of Southampton and the Anna Freud Centre and holds a BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Her work blends several approaches so sessions are tailored to each person. She uses techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy to look at thoughts and behaviours. She also brings attachment-based ideas to understand relationships and uses client-centred ways to follow the person’s pace.
Summar has completed postgraduate certificates in evidence-based interventions for children and young people and in supervisory skills. She also holds a higher education certificate in academic practice and has taken continuing professional development in the neurobiology of trauma.
People who come to her might be managing anxiety, depression, codependency, trauma, parenting strain, or challenges linked to identity and intimacy. She welcomes international clients and works in English. Before booking, confirm current session formats and practical arrangements with the service.
Therapeutic approaches and online support
The counsellor uses cognitive behavioural therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep issues. Attachment-based therapy is used to look at how early relationships shape current difficulties and to work on patterns in close relationships. Client-centred therapy places the person's experience at the heart of sessions and focuses on being heard and understood.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will listen to your goals and try different ways of working until you find what helps. That collaboration guides which methods are used and how sessions are paced.
Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Online work can make it easier to attend from another location, allow shorter check-ins around work breaks, or avoid the need to be on camera if that helps you focus. Please confirm the specific session formats offered before booking so arrangements match your needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
11+ years
Credentials
Listed on profile
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns can I bring to sessions?
Sessions cover a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, addiction, trauma, depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, grieving, sleep difficulties, parenting and codependency.
What is the therapy style like?
Work tends to be collaborative and practical. The counsellor listens first, then uses tailored techniques from cognitive and relational approaches to help people make changes.
What background does the counsellor have?
The counsellor has eleven years of experience across NHS CAMHS, school counselling, drug and alcohol services, bereavement work and sexual trauma support, and has lectured at higher education centres.
What credentials and location are listed?
The counsellor holds a BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and is BACP registered. The practice is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Session formats are not specified in the biography. Please confirm current session options with the service before booking.
How are sessions paid for?
Fees vary with location and therapist arrangements. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with this counsellor?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to the counsellor's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.