Naeem Rahman

I’m Naeem and I am an integrative therapist and I place my clients at the centre of the therapeutic relationship; I do not believe that therapy is something that is done to you. It’s a relationship that is characterised by honesty, empathy, compassion and candour.

My therapeutic work centres around creating a relationship with people – working with them to help them see who they are and how they fit into the environment around them. Issues that I often work with include identifying/understanding patterns of behaviour particularly those related to relationships with family, friends and those in the working environment.

Connections with others are a key part of how we grow and develop. Each one affects us – sometime positively, other times negatively. There are times when we can find ourselves trapped in relationships, repeating behaviours and interacting with others in ways that we’re not comfortable with.

Working relationally with clients, I hope to build trust so they can start to feel safe enough to speak their concerns. I recognise that it sometimes takes a while to build that – I recognise that it doesn’t happen immediately – and that’s fine. Therapy is about you and you determine the speed of it. 

If you want to know a little more about my practice and my journey to therapy - please check my website: www.reflectivetherapy.org.uk

I work with clients to help them to develop their own awareness about what maybe impacting them or causing them unease.

Therapy is a place where you can set aside the armor that you may have wear to get through your week, speak honestly about what you are feeling and perhaps start to think about what you’d like to do next.  However, I also recognise that you may not want to do that.  

I have extensive experience of working with aspects of identity and difference gained initially through my voluntary work with community based organisations such as Switchboard,  local counselling charities and a cultural/religious organisation.  

My work in these communities and observing the emotional impact that challenging situations have on individuals have drawn me to understand the impact of trauma and I am developing my knowledge further in this area. 

Authenticity is an important part of my practice. I’m not here to judge or shame – and if you feel that happening, I encourage my clients to speak to be about it. The therapeutic relationship between client and therapist can reflect the client’s own relationship in the outside world; exploring these feelings in a space where there will not be judgement or shame can offer you a chance to reflect, review and understand what maybe happening – and importantly, helping you to decide if you want to act in a different way. 

The first session is a chance for us to understand each other. Some people have a very clear idea of what they want to speak about – others are not sure where to start. Both are fine and valid. 

The first session is there for us both to consider what's brought you to therapy.  It's also a chance for us both to thinking about if we can work well together.  

If you'd like a conversation before diving into a first session, I offer a no obligation 15 minute conversation so we can get a feel of me and how I practice.  And no matter what stage you're at in therapy, it's entirely up to you to decide if you want to continue.