ABOUT US

Leila has been enthusiastically learning about human psychology from different angles/ schools of thought for many years. She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing from the University of Wollongong in Dubai and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychological Counseling And Guidance, from Eastern Mediterranean University located in Northern Cyprus. She has been determined to create a platform which could help create change in people’s lives, hence Bright Shift was born. In a way, Bright Shift came about from our faith and belief in the ability of humans to shift, change and evolve towards a brighter direction in life. We have developed this platform because we believe it doesn’t really matter where you were, or where you are right now, there is always room for improvement in life regardless. Sometimes it is a slim possibility and sometimes it’s vast. What matters is, we as humans have the ability to evolve and flourish. We believe Bright Shift can be of great help to actualize the possibility of change and self-discovery. What we are the proudest of, is, of course, our highly qualified and most importantly “compassionate therapists”. We are extremely glad to have such a great team collaborating with us on this platform.

Nawar is a UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) registered, licensed psychotherapist. She has been working with a diverse range of people of all backgrounds, vulnerable individuals, and ethnic minorities of all ages. Nawar lives in Birmingham, UK and she holds a Master’s degree in Integrative Psychotherapy from Birmingham City university as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Leeds university. She is also an NLP, Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy Practitioner. Nawar views therapy as a healing relationship between therapist and client. She supports her clients to figure how their early experiences has lead them to their current situation and she can help them change it. She provides her clients with a safe, non judgmental space where clients can explore the root cause of their deepest fears and worries that are holding them back from becoming the best possible version of themselves. Her extensive experience in psychotherapy allows her to help her clients to reach their full potential in life. Nawar speaks English and Arabic fluently.

Mahita is a psychologist, a therapist and a coach, educated and trained in the UK at the Middlesex University in London and the Institute of Psychosynthesis. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counsellers and Psychotherapists in the UK. She also has a Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling, and Diploma in Life Coaching both from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London. Mahita offers psychotherapeutic counselling as well as life coaching sessions. She specializes in supporting adults with a variety of challenges, including: stress, anxiety and depression, childhood trauma, narcissistic wounding, family and relationships. Mahita’s other area of expertise are as follows: work-related difficulties, loss, bereavement and grief, mid-life crisis, spiritual and existential crisis, managing chronic health problems emotionally and psychologically, terminal illnesses, working with artists dealing with creativity-related challenges, managing difficulties posed by cultural differences and integrating into a new cultural context. Mahita’s approach is based on Psychosynthesis Psychology. Psychosynthesis includes elements from psychodynamics, CBT, somatic experiencing, and mindfulness among many others. Psychosynthesis is the psychology of hope, with its eye not only on individuals’ history, but also on envisioning a purposeful future, to reorient their lives in the direction of meaning and values. Mahita’s approach is integrative and holistic, with a transpersonal perspective, rooted in Psychosynthesis Psychology. In addition to talk-based work, She uses other complementary approaches such as: art, movement, role-play, writing, journaling, breath work, guided meditation, inner dialogue, dream-work, somatic experiencing, shadow work, chakra opening and balancing and Reiki among others. Her sessions are 60 minutes long and she offers therapy in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

Mariam El Saadani is a licensed Psychotherapist by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec in Canada. She has completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and Educational Psychology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). She then completed a three- year Post-Master’s training program in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Mariam has also completed certificates in Traumatic Stress Studies; Loss Bereavement and Life Transitions and several Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trainings for Depression, Anxiety and Eating Disorders. Mariam has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field in Egypt and Montreal. Throughout her years of work, she has had the honor of helping people from all walks of life. Mariam works with individuals 17 years of age and older. Her training allows her to work with any presenting issues, especially trauma. A few of the presenting problems she is able to work with are loss, grief, immigration, relationship difficulties, career uncertainty, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, life transitions and adjustments, identity issues and trauma; acute, chronic or complex trauma. Mariam’s practice is based on Psychodynamic theory, which she utilizes to develop an understanding of her clients and their presenting issues. Psychodynamic theory operates on the premise that the unconscious part of the mind influences thoughts, emotions and behavior. Through this lens, Mariam is then able to devise a treatment plan for the therapeutic process to address the root of the presenting problem(s). Oftentimes, the work done in sessions with Mariam is focused on developing insights and emotional awareness to develop the skills you need to be able to resolve and work through difficulties as they present themselves to you throughout your life. Mariam’s sessions run for 50 minutes and can be conducted in English or Arabic.

Julianna is a psychoanalytically oriented psychodynamic psychotherapist and a psychosocial thinker. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Counselling and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychosocial Studies from Birkbeck, University of London. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists in the UK. (BACP) She is a Doctoral Researcher in psychosocial and psychoanalytic studies at FREEPSY, University of Essex. She offers support to adults who experience difficulties in life such as depression, anxiety, addiction, sex difficulties, trauma, PTSD, physical illness, loss of creativity, bereavement, low self-confidence, cultural and religious conflicts, immigration, family issues, anger management, academic and performance anxiety, panic attacks, work-related stress, affairs, separation and relationship problems, body dysmorphia, eating disorder and who are on the neurodiverse spectrum (Autism, ADHD, learning difficulties). Julianna’s therapeutic engagement follows psychoanalytic theory, which offers a rich texture to investigate the impacts of everything around us and before us. She provides a dedicated space to discover the interweaves of past and present, impulses and behaviours, wishes and conflicts. Julianna has a professional background in social care and mental health, where she worked in community mental health settings, higher education, primary and secondary care in the last decade. Her sessions are 50 minutes long. Julianna speaks fluent English and Hungarian and is providing therapy in both languages.

Ana Mesinezi is an Integrative Psychotherapist as well as a qualified CBT Therapist. Ane holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health and Wellbeing from the University of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. She is an Accredited Member of British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy(BACP). She provides a non-judgmental space, helping the clients to navigate difficult emotions and life’s ups and downs. Having worked in various environments, she has a good understanding of working with different modalities and depth. In her approach she uses Attachment-based, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma Focused and Integrative Psychotherapy. Ana works with clients who need support in different areas including: Co-dependency, Eating Disorders, Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum, Anxiety, Depression, relationship issues, marital issues , relationship problems Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, Behavioural Issues,Bereavement,Mood Disorders,Narcissistic Personality (NPD),Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD),Relationship Issues,Self Esteem,Stress,Trauma and PTSD and Women’s Issues. Ana works with adults, teenagers and elders (65+). Her sessions are 50 minutes long for individuals and 70 minutes for couples. Ana offers therapy in English, Bulgarian, German, Greek, Italian.

Mariam El Saadani is a licensed Psychotherapist by the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec in Canada. She has completed a Master’s degree in Counselling and Educational Psychology from McGill University (Montreal, Canada). She then completed a three- year Post-Master’s training program in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Mariam has also completed certificates in Traumatic Stress Studies; Loss Bereavement and Life Transitions and several Cognitive Behavioral Therapy trainings for Depression, Anxiety and Eating Disorders. Mariam has over 15 years of experience in the mental health field in Egypt and Montreal. Throughout her years of work, she has had the honor of helping people from all walks of life. Mariam works with individuals 17 years of age and older. Her training allows her to work with any presenting issues, especially trauma. A few of the presenting problems she is able to work with are loss, grief, immigration, relationship difficulties, career uncertainty, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, life transitions and adjustments, identity issues and trauma; acute, chronic or complex trauma. Mariam’s practice is based on Psychodynamic theory, which she utilizes to develop an understanding of her clients and their presenting issues. Psychodynamic theory operates on the premise that the unconscious part of the mind influences thoughts, emotions and behavior. Through this lens, Mariam is then able to devise a treatment plan for the therapeutic process to address the root of the presenting problem(s). Oftentimes, the work done in sessions with Mariam is focused on developing insights and emotional awareness to develop the skills you need to be able to resolve and work through difficulties as they present themselves to you throughout your life. Mariam’s sessions run for 50 minutes and can be conducted in English or Arabic.

Sonal Kadchha is a licensed therapeutic counsellor trained in Psychosynthesis, which is known as the “Psychology of Hope”. Whether you’re hoping to make a change in yourself, life, career or relationships; or to manage change in these areas – she is here to help. Sonal is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). Member of the European Psychosynthesis Association (EPA). She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Psychology from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in the UK, Masters in Psychosynthesis Psychology (Thesis in progress) from the Institute of Psychosynthesis in affiliation with Middlesex University, in the UK. Bereavement Support Foundation. Foundations of Jungian Analytical Psychology. Sonal gives you the space to explore what is really going on, process difficult emotions, develop healthy coping strategies and restore your mental well-being – so that you aren’t just surviving, but thriving in the world. Sonal works analytically to help you step behind your thoughts and gain new insights into your inner world. At the same time, she provides a safe and non-judgmental space for you to process your emotions. As we gain new insights on why you do the things you do and learn to sit with difficult emotions – they gradually stop having such a strong hold. She also works with you to “connect the dots” to clearly see the bigger picture and themes emerging in your life – giving you direction on where you want to go to next – through inspired action. By growing in self-awareness, learning to pause before reacting and making different choices – you’ll start to feel more inner freedom. It’s these small consistent changes which compound into huge shifts over time and create meaningful changes in your life. As well as working as a counsellor, Sonal is founder of a charity that empowers young women in East Africa called ETC. Previous to this, she held a number of leadership positions in the Financial Services industry, as well as the start-up world. Her first degree was in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University. Having lived in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, Uganda and the UK – she adept at working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She has an interest in Buddhist psychology and psychedelic psychotherapy (which is the basis of her Thesis).