Tara Al Azzawi

I believe that challenges are inevitable over the course of a life, and it can be useful to seek support rather than suffer alone. Therapy is a unique opportunity for you to understand your relationship patterns and liberate yourself from behaviours that are no longer serving you.

In my practice I will gently encourage you to bring your whole self into the room, even those parts that might feel messy, scared or confused. I aim to create a safe, collaborative and confidential space where you can share your thoughts and feelings at your own pace.

I work with clients on a range of emotional experiences, including: 

• Depression, anxiety, loneliness and isolation
• Relationship difficulties (with partners, friends, family members or colleagues)
• Grief and loss
• Pregnancy and parenthood
• Confidence, self-esteem and resilience
• Negative body image and disordered eating
• Trauma (including sexual abuse, domestic violence and intergenerational trauma)
• Identity issues (culture, race, gender, sexuality, disability)
• Existential issues (including life transitions, meaning and purpose)

Some clients might not be able to identify a specific issue, but have a sense that things could be better, and they’d like help with figuring out a way forward.

I’m an integrative therapist, which means that I trained in the main traditions of psychotherapy. Whilst my work draws from all of them, I am able to adapt my approach to support you towards making change.

I am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), and my work is guided by their ethical framework. I trained for five years at The Minster Centre in London, which is one of Europe’s leading institutes for Integrative Psychotherapy. 

I have worked in charitable and NHS settings specialising in suicide, women’s issues, bereavement and acute & complex mental health presentations. I work with individual adults (18+) in person from Counselling Rooms Chorlton, Trafalgar House, 5/7 High Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9DJ.

In my practice I am guided by the following principles:

- I believe that you are the expert of your own life, and I try to understand your particular and unique experience as you live it.

- I think that past experiences can impact upon the present, and I work to make meaningful connections between the two.

- I am interested in how wider systems such as our families, communities and social and political networks inflect our emotional responses.

- I believe that change is only possible where there is a trusting therapeutic relationship. So I do my best to create a space where you can feel heard and known in all aspects of yourself.

- I am committed to non-discriminatory practice, and welcome clients of all identities, cultures, faiths, genders and sexualities, as well as those with health conditions or disabilities. 

Making contact

Reaching out can feel scary, but my aim is to put you at ease when you make contact. If you are interested in working together, the first step is to send me an email, or give me a call or text. If I am unavailable, you can leave a message and I will get back to you within 24 hours. We’ll discuss what regular session times are available, and whether you might like therapy online or in-person.

First session

We will then meet for a 50-minute assessment. This will give us the chance to get to know one another, and decide if we make a good fit. We’ll discuss what’s bringing you to therapy and your aims and expectations. You may also have questions for me and the kind of therapy I offer. All information in the assessment will remain confidential. This session is charged at my usual fee, and it is entirely without further obligation.

Our ongoing work

If we decide to work together, we will agree upon a counselling contract outlining the terms of the therapy. We will then meet at the same time and day each week going forward.

Practicalities

Sessions are 50 minutes long and are charged at £65.