Atifa Ismailmiya-Balding

I am an Integrative Well-being Therapist. I have been supporting others in a 1-2-1, couples & group setting for 20 + years. 

I am a BACP registered Counsellor, mindfulness and meditation teacher. A therapeutic sound practitioner, qualified master EFT (tapping) therapist. I am a qualified eco therapist and work creativity using different modalities such as art & writing to aid the therapeutic process.

I support people with their wellbeing, guide them through the challenges we all face, to help them make connections with their mind and body to find balance through The Sensory Journey.

My therapeutic experience has helped me to build the model of The Sensory Journey. The Sensory Journey is the foundation of my work.  It is my honour to do this with compassion, respect and inclusivity.

I encourage my clients to participate in outdoor sessions as nature is one of the biggest healers and I have witnessed great shifts in perspective whilst being outside holding a therapeutic space.

I have guided many people along their journeys whether it has been through one to one support with children & young people, adults & couples or group work - it has been an honour.  I also offer workplace well-being.

In recent years I have supported women in their menopause journey and its various stages. I also work in school settings supporting children & young people and their extended families.

The Sensory Journey includes talking therapy, EFT - tapping therapy, meditation, mindfulness, Vietnamese facial reflexology, sound healing, walking and cooking for wellness, working with the energy centres in the body and using art & writing as aids for therapeutic healing. I work with individuals, couples, women going through the menopause journey, children and young people. 

 I offer all of these in person, online and I run workshops.

The Sensory Journey is a fully immersive experience which uses all of the senses. The Sensory journey is different for everyone and is tailored to your needs.

The Sensory Journey is tailored to you; it is helpful to see the different types of journeys that are offered on my website. Please see the example menu and you can book this as a package or choose different elements from each offering. I always welcome a conversation!

My work can be transferred online and I do offer zoom sessions. I offer workplace well-being packages and a program of support for women going through various stages of their menopause through experiential workshops.

It's important to note that different therapists have different approaches to the first session. 

 I always use the first session to explore what's perhaps going on for you and what brought you to therapy.

I will cover the following:

* I will ask you about your expectations and what you would like from our time together. 

* I will go through the contract with you and talk a little about the BACP code of ethics and what this means in layman's terms.

* I will welcome a conversation about your personal history and what brought you here to me. I will ask what you need and what you require from me.

* I'd like to also find out if you have had therapy previously and what worked and what didn't work for you. 

* I will establish the contract with you and explain confidentiality which is a very important part of the work.

* We will agree a time to meet and how we will meet.

* We can also discuss and talk about whether you want short or long term therapy and the type of therapy.

*  I will explain a little bit but my background and what I can support with

 I'd also encourage you to think about how you felt after our first  conversation.  I always welcome a conversation. I encourage an open & congruent dialogue.