Maryam Samar

Integrative Counsellor and Doctoral Candidate for Counselling Psychology

Ascetic Therapy

I am an integrative counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and British Psychology Society (BPS). Currently I am a doctoral candidate, running my private practice and teaching a CPCAB Integrative Counselling diploma course level 2, 3 and 4.

As an integrative counsellor, I plan to work with my clients based on their particular needs and personality. My main aim is to help clients by allowing them to find solutions to their problems. I emphasise the client being an expert, and I am a source of reflection and encouragement. I encourage my clients to adopt an open and real stance towards a more flexible and curious position to have more choice in how they feel, think and behave.

One of my areas of interest is working with problematic social media usage. I am working with clients who are experiencing the impact of digital engagement on their mental health, leading to anxiety, self- control and even depression. The aim of my doctorate in counselling psychology is to expand my research into introducing the new concepts of dealing with uncontrollable desires, obsessiveness and the mental health concerns attached to social media. In addition, I am working towards designing tools that would help regulate the impulsive need of social media by creating solid strategies to manage addictive habits.