Finder

Specialises in

• Behaviour Therapy
• Behavioural Activation (BA)
• Behavioural Couples Therapy
• CBT with Exposure and Response Prevention (CBT with ERP)
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Counselling
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness based CBT
• Motivational Interviewing

• Psychotherapy
• Short Term Psychodynamic Therapy
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy
• Trauma focused CBT

Offers

• Face-to-face consultations
• Video and telephone consultations

About me

Dr Shahnaz Akhtar is a HCPC registered counselling psychologist with over 10 years of experience in the mental health sector. Prior to this career change Dr Akhtar worked as a Lecturer in Further Education. Dr Akhtar has extensive education and training in neuroscience, as well as CBT, DBT and Integrative Therapy approaches. She is also a Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), and Accredited with the Society for Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (SfDBT).

Dr Akhtar has significant experience working in the NHS providing support to patients who struggle with self-harm and suicidal presentations. She has helped clients overcome debilitating addictions to alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, cannabis, opioids and pain medication as well as reducing self harm and suicidal behaviours. She has also supported numerous clients who have ADHD find strategies to manage emotional overwhelm and executive dysfunction. She specialises in complex PTSD and personality disorders as well as helping clients who feel stuck within systems, families or relationships and currently lack the skills to break free.

Dr Akhtar has also worked as a manager of mental health supported living facilities, allowing her in depth insight into providing support to people who struggle with their mental health and the impact these difficulties can have across all the domains of someone's life.

Dr Akhtar has also provided training to the East London NHS Foundation Trust on how to increase therapy uptake in ethnic minority populations, as well having run regular workshops for South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust on how to improve their working relationships to patients. Dr Akhtar has also provided workshops within South Asian community centres on Domestic Violence and Mental Wellbeing.

Dr Akhtar is passionate about helping change lives for those who come from painful and traumatic histories so that a difficult past does not have to mean a difficult future. If you are interested in working with an exceptionally skilled and empathetic psychologist, please feel free to contact her using the below contact details.

Areas of interest

- ADHD;
- Neurodivergence;
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD);
- Drug and Alchohol addiction;
- Depression;
- Anxiety disorders;
- Health anxiety;
- Social anxiety;
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD);
- Panic disorder,
- Stress and burnout;
- Panic disorders;
- Personality disorders;
- Borderline PD;
- Narcissistic PD;
- Dependent PD;
- Obsessive PD;
- Phantom Limb Syndrome;
- Phobia;
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
- Trauma;
- Perfectionism;
- Anger management;
- Low self-esteem;
- Disruption of family by separation or divorce;
- Family issues;
- Childhood issues;
- Neglect;
- Abuse;
- Abandonment;
- Bereavement;
- Relationship issues;
- Behavioural difficulties;
- Couples;
- Sexual and marital issues;
- Life changes and transitions;
- Redundancy;
- IVF;
- Fertility,
- Parenting;

Specialist interests and expertise in the following physical conditions

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Gynaecological disorders

• Neurological disorders
• Pain management

• Psychophysiological disorders
• Physical disability

Medical secretaries

• Jenny O'Brien
• 020 3393 1987
• 07768 803417
• info@crossroadspsychology.co.uk