I offer online somatic relational therapy for Muslims navigating anxiety, trauma, relationship wounds, intimacy struggles, family pressure, and emotional overwhelm.
Abi Hendra Counselling and Therapy
You might have told yourself you should be able to handle this by now… and wondered why it still feels this hard.
I know how much it can take to even reach a point where you’re considering therapy.
Often, by the time people arrive here, they’ve been managing on their own for a long time.
On the outside, things might look steady… but inside, it can feel very different.
You might find yourself overthinking, feeling anxious or disconnected, or repeating patterns in relationships that don’t seem to shift, even when you understand things logically.
If that resonates, you’re not alone.
My Story
I am Abi Hendra, a UKCP psychotherapeutic counsellor, and for more than a decade I have walked alongside people as they navigate the tender, complicated and often courageous work of healing. My practice was born from a simple belief: therapy should feel like a grounded, supportive relationship where all parts of you are welcome.
I started my therapeutic journey over 14 years ago, working with community organisations, trauma services and diverse client groups. Over time, I realised that people heal most deeply when their whole identity is respected, culture, faith, gender, lived experiences, family systems, all of it.
This is why my practice is rooted in an intersectional, culturally sensitive approach. Many of my clients are individuals who value a therapist who understands nuance, context and the pressures that come with complex identities. My aim is always to create a space where you do not have to explain or minimise parts of who you are.
I specialise in a blend of:
• Somatic trauma therapy
• Relational therapy
• Transactional Analysis
• Solution-focused approaches
• Body-based and nervous-system-focused work
This combination helps us explore both your emotional world and the physical patterns your body holds anxiety, tension, shutdown, hypervigilance, or feeling “not yourself.”
Sessions with me tend to feel steady, thoughtful, and grounded, becoming a space where things can unfold without pressure. This way of working often reaches areas that more traditional talking therapy doesn’t always access.
My Professional Background
Over the years, I have worked with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, childhood wounds, panic attacks and life transitions, using evidence-based therapeutic approaches tailored to each person’s needs.
Some of my experience includes:
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Running a full-time private practice supporting clients in the UK and abroad
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Counselling within community-based Muslim mental health services
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Trauma work with survivors of rape and sexual abuse
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Crisis intervention and emotional stabilisation
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Collaborative work with GPs, social workers and community organisations
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Providing counselling services to EAPs and Private health insurance, such as Bupa, Vitality and Aviva
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Providing individual and group supervision as a trainee supervisor
I remain committed to ongoing professional development, currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy and a Level 7 Diploma in Clinical Supervision .
Who I Support
Clients come to me when they feel overwhelmed or stuck in patterns they can’t shift alone. Common reasons people reach out include:
• Anxiety or constant worry
• Trauma and PTSD symptoms
• People-pleasing, emotional burnout or boundary difficulties
• Relationship and attachment wounds
• Faith-based or cultural challenges
• Low mood, loneliness or disconnection
• Navigating identity, life transitions or self-worth struggles
I work best with clients who are ready to look beneath the surface, rather than just manage symptoms.
Online Therapy That Feels Personal
Even though sessions are online, many clients describe therapy with me as grounding, warm and surprisingly intimate. You can bring your faith, your doubts, your fears, your humour, your exhaustion and your hopes — all of you is welcome here.
I support you at your pace, with a calm and steady presence that helps you feel safe enough to explore things that may have felt too heavy to carry alone.
If You’re Thinking About Therapy
Whether you’re looking for a Muslim therapist, a trauma-informed counsellor, or a relational-somatic approach that goes deeper than traditional talk therapy, you are in the right place.
Starting therapy does not require confidence, just a small moment of courage.
If something in you is ready for support, I invite you to book a consultation. It’s a gentle space to meet, talk through what you’re looking for and see whether working together feels right.
You do not have to do this alone. Support is here whenever you’re ready.
An Invitation
If something here resonates, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
You don’t need to be completely ready, just curious enough to begin
A free 15-minute consultation can be a simple way to see whether this feels like the right fit for you.
No pressure — just a space to talk and explore.