Dr. Sharmin Aktar

Dr. Sharmin is a Counselling Psychologist at The Private Therapy Clinic, with experience dealing with many psychological disorders such as: Depression, Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Phobias, Personality disorders, and so forth. Dr. Sharmin primarily uses an integrative model whereby she combines different therapeutic modalities to tailor the treatment to each individual client. These therapeutic modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). CBT focuses on the here and now and examines how our thoughts and emotions impact our behaviour whilst Psychodynamic Therapy explores our childhood experiences and how these experiences may have shaped how we think and feel in the present. These approaches have been widely researched and shown as effective methods of therapy.

Initial Assessment

Dr. Sharmin will help you set a goal during the initial assessment and then devise a treatment plan to achieve this goal through a series of sessions. Her therapeutic stance is based on focusing on you, persistently motivating you, empowering you and working collaboratively with you to accomplish your therapeutic goals.

Outlook On Therapy

Due to individual differences, Dr. Sharmin understands that no one therapeutic approach fits all. Therefore, she integrates appropriate techniques from different therapeutic approaches to tailor the treatment plan to each client. For example, CBT is effective in aiding the reduction of unhelpful behaviours in the here and now while Psychodynamic therapy can be useful to explore the root of the distress. This in effect can reduce unhelpful behaviour that causes great deterioration in our mental well-being and quality of life. Therefore, with Dr. Sharmin as your Psychologist, you can be ensured that the therapy given is one that is tailored to you and your needs specifically.

Experience

Dr. Sharmin has worked in both private and public health care services exposing her to a vast range of disorders, varying in severity. She has also worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Coming from an ethnic minority herself, Dr. Sharmin understands how cultural backgrounds can impact thoughts, emotions and in response, behaviours. Therefore, Dr. Sharmin believes that our cultural background should not be overlooked when generating a treatment plan. Dr. Sharmin is also able to offer bilingual therapy in Bengali. She understands that the decision to undergo therapy is never an easy one; therefore, she is committed to creating a comfortable setting for the client, by offering a safe, non-judgmental and confidential environment.

Education And Skills

Dr. Sharmin is also determined to offer an efficient therapeutic experience by implementing up-to-date therapy techniques. The foundations of these techniques were acquired during her degree in Psychology at Queen Mary University, which belongs to the Russell Group for their excellence in research and solidified in her Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at University of East London. She also attends regular supervision with a highly experienced Counselling Psychologist.

Medico-Legal Reports

Dr. Sharmin is trained in conducting Medico-Legal Reports which can be used for legal and court purposes. These cases can include Asylum and Immigration, Criminal law, family law, trauma, child, and adolescent, etc. She will carry out a thorough assessment and write a detailed report as an expert witness. The report consists of psychometrics, diagnosis (if any), treatment recommendation, prognosis, and my professional opinion.

Play Therapy

Children can experience difficult feelings and or behaviours that can cause interference to their lives and their development. A s they may not be able to articulate their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, Dr. Sharmin uses play therapy to help them process these difficulties. She encourages children to use play therapy to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Dr. Sharmin provides a safe space for children to enact difficult or even traumatic life experiences to help them make sense of their experiences. It also helps to teach children to manage their conflicts more effectively. This works well because the children can use this therapy at their own level and their own pace, without feeling questioned or intimidated. This effective therapy helps to reduce children’s anxiety levels, change certain behaviours, and enhance the way they relate to others such as friends and family. Dr. Sharmin has worked in primary schools and Secondary Schools, with children aged 5 to 16 years and has helped them to process negative and traumatic life experiences, leading to reduced levels of anxiety and depression.

Overall, Dr. Sharmin is a wholehearted, empathetic, and sincere Psychologist who abides by the BPS and HCPC counselling guidelines to help clients reach their goals for improved mental health and wellbeing.