People seek therapy for many reasons. Some arrive with a sense of urgency when they are distressed. Others are troubled by the sense that ‘something’ is not right. Perhaps you have experienced a significant ending or are worried about starting something new. It takes a while to consider getting help. Arriving at the decision to access therapy and talk to someone is a significant step.
I believe psychotherapy offers an experience of being seen and heard in the way we want to speak. It can be a relief to be recognised while speaking honestly with someone and be accepted for who we are. This understanding about oneself through the therapeutic encounter is the first step towards change.
This process of being understood and recognized, to understand another, to think collaboratively about change, is the foundation of my practice. I work with anyone experiencing difficulties in relationships, whether with themselves or someone else. In my practice I see individuals, couples, young people and families. As a relationship therapist I hold multiple perspectives in mind; our sessions will help you do the same, as you explore your relationships more deeply.
I have had over ten years of experience working in various settings, including the NHS and private organizations. I also supervise other therapists, train and lecture on couple and relational work.
Psychotherapy with Sandhya
My Approach:
I offer short-term (20 sessions) and longer-term therapy. Sessions are once a week. Each ‘therapy hour’ is 50 minutes.
My approach is primarily psychodynamic, where sessions explore openly and in-depth, thoughts and feelings that may be outside of your awareness. This approach enables people to fully listen and understand, to respect differences and explore sustained change.
I also work systemically, where I help couples and families recognize how multiple people co-create relational dynamics, how we might consider diverse ways of interacting to build sustained, healthy relationships. When suitable, I may use other techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mentalization based therapy (MBT), thereby tailoring my approach to meet your needs.
In over a decade of practice, I have worked with professionals in finance, law, health care, and academics. I have experience in working with the pressures of managing professional demands, personal relationships and parenting.
I specialise in working with:
Couples and Significant Relationships
A relationship is created with each person bringing their unique values, beliefs, and ways of seeing the world. When individual backgrounds differ — whether that’s through religion, family traditions, or the expectations you grew up with — these differences can sometimes add pressure to a relationship. You might find yourselves clashing over what’s “normal” in a partnership, how emotions are expressed, or what roles each of you should play. Even small misunderstandings can start to feel bigger when they touch on deeply held parts of your identity.
In therapy with me, there’s space to explore how your personal and social histories shape the way you relate to each other. I work relationally, meaning I pay attention to what happens between you in the moment as well as what you each bring from your past. Together, we can begin to understand where tensions come from, find ways to communicate more openly, and discover new ways to feel connected — without losing the parts of yourselves that matter most.
Identity, Belonging and Cultural Differences
You might have grown up between two or more cultures — perhaps feeling that you don’t fully fit into any of them. For some people, this can create a quiet sense of tension: wanting to honour family values while also wanting more freedom or feeling misunderstood by others who don’t share your background or experience. It can show up in many ways — difficulties at work, in friendships, or in confidence about who you are and where you belong.
I offer a space where you can explore these layers of identity and how they’ve shaped the way you see yourself and relate to others. By understanding how cultural expectations, family influences, and personal experiences interact, you can begin to find a stronger sense of self — one that feels more integrated and congruent to who you are today.
Rebuilding Trust
The breakdown of trust can be a painful experience for anyone who has experienced a betrayal. While infidelity is one instance of betrayal, there are other events – such as addictions, substance abuse, fear of commitment – that also affect trust in a relationship.
Learning to trust again can feel like a daunting experience. Sessions with me will help you think about the root causes which lead to trust being breached. This is a space where you can talk honestly about your experience, listen empathically and build a mutually respectful, strong relationship.
Change, Transitions and Life Choices
Life doesn’t always move in straight lines. Sometimes change arrives suddenly — through a move, a loss, or a shift you didn’t plan for. At other times, it unfolds more quietly, as you realise the person you’ve become doesn’t quite fit the life you’re living anymore. Transitions can be exciting, but they can also feel unsettling, especially when they challenge who you thought you were or what others expect of you.
For younger adults, this might mean stepping out of the structure of family or education and learning how to stand on your own feet — making choices about work, relationships, and the kind of person you want to be. The freedom can feel liberating, but also overwhelming, particularly when you’re still working out what really matters to you and how to balance independence with connection.
For parents, change can come in the form of letting go. As children grow up, become independent, or leave home, it can stir mixed emotions — pride, sadness, even uncertainty about what your role is now. You may find yourself adjusting to new routines, quieter days, and a different sense of purpose. It can take time to build a fresh relationship with your adult children, one that respects their independence but still keeps the closeness that matters to you.
Therapy with me offers a space to pause and make sense of these transitions. By reflecting together on how you respond to change — and how past experiences might shape your reactions — you can start to find steadier ground. Through a gentle, relational approach you explore what each stage of life asks of you, and how to meet those changes with self-understanding and confidence, rather than fear or resistance.
Through these conversations, I can help you see how each change in life — whether chosen or unexpected — can become an opportunity to understand yourself more deeply and build relationships that feel more genuine, balanced, and fulfilling.
Managing personal and work challenges
Changes in work and personal situations can be exciting as well a challenging. While you might embrace the unlimited possibilities that change can bring, you might also have some anxiety about what it asks of you – bringing up questions about self-worth, capability, and belonging in the new environment of which you will soon be a part.
I help you understand and navigate these challenges by exploring the conflicts that these changes may bring up within you. Sessions with me will help you understand your emotional and cognitive responses to the challenges that come up in work and personal situations, so that you are able to make decisions with clarity.
A Relational Approach
At the heart of my work is the belief that we grow and heal through relationships — both the ones we have outside therapy and the one we build within it. I see the therapy room as a space where you can explore how you connect, communicate, and respond to others, in an atmosphere that feels supportive and respectful. Whether you’re reflecting on cultural experiences, family patterns, or everyday struggles, My relational approach helps you notice what’s happening in the moment and understand it in new ways. Over time, this process can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and more fulfilling connections in your life.
Some other issues with which I work:
- Dating
- Communication
- Conflict
- Working through trauma and abuse
- Commitment
- Infidelity
- Loss
- Separation/divorce
Training and Qualifications:
My core training is in psychodynamic and systemic therapy. This training enables me to hold multiple perspectives in mind in my therapeutic work, whether I support individuals, couples, or families.
I have specialized training in supporting couples where one or more partners experiences depression. This approach uses cognitive behavioral techniques as well as psychodynamic approaches, that addresses the relational and individual needs of both partners.
I am also trained to work with individuals and couples considering separation and/or divorce,. My work with you helps you emotionally process what can be a distressing time. As a trainer for separated parent workshops, I am particularly passionate about supporting parents who are holding children in mind, through this difficult step.
Aside from my private practice I work as a clinician, supervisor and lecturer in private and NHS settings.
Contact:
Next steps:
I offer a 15-minute introductory call. Following the call, we will meet for an initial consultation session. Ongoing sessions are once a week.
Do get in touch either by email or phone. I would love to hear from you.
Rates:
I charge £100 per session for individuals and £130 for couples and families.
Sessions:
Psychotherapy sessions at City Therapy Space:
Monday: 5 pm – 10 pm
I also work online.
