Zahraa Scott:

Trainee Existential & Integrative Psychotherapist (UKCP student member)

Welcome, I’m Zahraa Scott.

My ongoing doctoral studies in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling at Middlesex University is supplemented by:

– my personal lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery,

– my academic background in world literature and philosophy,

– my professional experience within the NHS,

– continual development of my spiritual practice and metaphysical sensitivity,

– and, most importantly, the people I meet in the therapy space.

Existential psychotherapy is an umbrella term for psychotherapy that is broadly interested in what we find meaningful, our relationship with death, how we may experience isolation, and developing a sense of our own personal freedom.

What this means for therapy is that I will not seek to tell you about yourself, but to facilitate mutual discovery and greater shared awareness.

I have 3+ years of experience working in both psychiatric settings and the community with adults with complex emotional needs. This has given me a profound empathy for those who have experienced extreme physical and/or emotional trauma, struggle with interpersonal relationships, experience rollercoaster emotions, and/or feel in some deep way rejected by the world.

I have had some wonderful success stories in these roles that I am deeply grateful for, from people I have supported learning healthier ways to express their emotional needs, developing the courage to leave dangerous or unsatisfying relationships, developing a healthier relationship with their body and finding self-confidence in the midst of anxiety.

I take an approach to therapy that is sensitive, creative, open, and embodied. I aim to meet you where you are and collaboratively discover where you may want to be and why.

You may feel anxious about therapy, wondering how it could help you or fearing that you may be judged. I understand that trust must be earned first and strive to be continually candid about what I can support you with and what I cannot. My attendance of regular clinical supervision ensures that I draw from the expertise of experienced professionals with different outlooks on life to help supplement my practice and continually challenge any assumptions I may make.

Sometimes, barriers to our self-development may come from beliefs or feelings we hold about ourselves, but sometimes, our circumstances may be the reason we reach out for help. I therefore aim to provide a holistic approach to problem-solving within the therapy space, and am particularly mindful of your cultural background, place in society, and personal belief system.

My therapeutic process begins with gentle questioning and reflection to develop rapport and shared understanding, and then develops into a tailored approach specific to your emotional and psychological needs. I bring my understanding into the space and allow you to shape that further with your own views and experiences, so as to provide a corrective relational experience relevant to your particular needs.

I therefore welcome both short and long-term work with adults, both online and in-person. So if you’re interested, please don’t hesitate to reach out, if only to learn more about the process.

Thank-you.