Maliha Salman

Maliha is an integrative counsellor and brings a combination of skills to support clients to understand how their past is continuing to shape their present day situation, and how they can achieve positive change.

I am passionate about supporting individuals through their mental health journeys, with a deep commitment to understanding the complex factors that contribute to one’s distress. With over 8 years of therapeutic practice, I bring a compassionate, culturally aware, and integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, valued, and empowered to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Having worked across diverse settings, including universities, schools, and NHS services, I have developed a wealth of experience in addressing a wide range of concerns, particularly eating disorders, body image issues, and identity struggles. I understand that these challenges are often intertwined with deeper emotional and psychological factors that have arisen from difficult and sometimes traumatic life events.

I am particularly interested in how cultural and social experiences impact mental health and well-being. I strive to create a safe space where clients feel understood and respected, regardless of their cultural background, and where therapy is adapted to acknowledge and honour differences and diversity. Whether you’re dealing with eating difficulties, self-esteem issues, or navigating complex life transitions, I am here to support you in developing a healthier relationship with yourself and your world.

Outside of my practice, I continue to grow professionally, currently undertaking additional doctoral-level training in Counselling Psychology to deepen my understanding and effectiveness as a therapist. This ongoing learning, combined with my commitment to providing an inclusive and empathetic therapeutic space, informs everything I do as a clinician.

How I work

I take an integrative approach to counselling and psychotherapy, blending various models and techniques. These include person-centred, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT). My primary goal is to understand you as a person, and together, we’ll explore how therapy can best support your individual needs and preferences.

I believe that generational and past traumatic events can shape our thoughts, behaviours, and emotional responses in the present. In therapy, I will help you uncover how your history, especially your relationships and childhood, connects to present-day challenges. By understanding the deeper emotional and psychological patterns that influence your current situation, we can understand how these issues play out in your life today.

Once we gain insight into these areas, we will work together to identify healthier coping strategies and explore ways to make positive changes. I will provide a warm, empathetic space for you to develop self-awareness and process your feelings. My approach is gentle but focused, and I will support you by challenging unhelpful patterns where necessary. If relevant, I may introduce psychoeducation to deepen your understanding of the psychological processes at play, empowering you towards therapeutic change.

Above all, I am here to help you understand and make sense of your feelings, behaviours, and experiences in a way that fosters lasting change and personal growth. Whether it’s building self-esteem, addressing eating concerns, or exploring sociocultural factors affecting your well-being, I work collaboratively with you to explore resolutions that align with your values, needs, and goals. 

Specialisms

Eating Disorders and Body Image: I have extensive experience helping individuals with eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. I work to address both the emotional and psychological aspects of these challenges, helping clients to develop healthier relationships with food and their bodies.

Multi-Cultural and Intersectionality Awareness: My practice is informed by an awareness of intersectionality, diversity and culture. I recognise how your background, identity, and lived experiences shape your sense of self and well-being. I am committed to providing therapy that is inclusive, respectful, and attuned to your unique socio-cultural context. This helps me tailor interventions to be meaningful and effective.

Self-Esteem and Identity: I also have a keen interest in supporting clients with issues related to self-esteem, identity formation, and navigating the complexities of personal growth.

• 2023
• (in competition) Doctorate in Counselling Psychology – Metanoia Institute 
• 2017
• MSc Therapeutic Counselling- Greenwich University 
• 2011
• BSc Psychology- Brunel University