Summar Ali, BACP
Integrative therapist for trauma and relationships
- Trauma and abuse
- Addiction and recovery
- Relationships and intimacy
About Summar Ali
Summar Ali offers a compassionate, person-focused approach to counselling and psychotherapy, supporting people through the varied challenges that life can bring. With 11 years of professional experience, she draws on roles across the NHS at CAMHS, school counselling, drug and alcohol services, bereavement support, and work as a sexual trauma therapist for a local charity to inform a rounded, informed practice.
Her training combines a BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy with postgraduate certificates in evidence-based interventions for children and young people and in supervisory skills. She also holds a higher education certificate in academic practice and HE Fellowship status from her teaching work, and has completed continuing professional development courses in the neurobiology of trauma. Summar Ali also holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
She has lectured at the University of Southampton and the Anna Freud Centre, teaching trainees who work in NHS services, and she integrates that teaching experience into her clinical work. When not working online she practices as an animal-assisted therapist, bringing a holistic view that recognises the links between mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Her aim is to create an empathic, nonjudgmental space where people can explore their experiences and find practical ways to move forward.
Her training combines a BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy with postgraduate certificates in evidence-based interventions for children and young people and in supervisory skills. She also holds a higher education certificate in academic practice and HE Fellowship status from her teaching work, and has completed continuing professional development courses in the neurobiology of trauma. Summar Ali also holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
She has lectured at the University of Southampton and the Anna Freud Centre, teaching trainees who work in NHS services, and she integrates that teaching experience into her clinical work. When not working online she practices as an animal-assisted therapist, bringing a holistic view that recognises the links between mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Her aim is to create an empathic, nonjudgmental space where people can explore their experiences and find practical ways to move forward.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Gottman Method Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Summar Ali have?
She has 11 years of professional experience working as a therapist across a range of settings.
Is Summar Ali a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
In which languages does Summar Ali provide therapy?
Summar Ali provides therapy in English.
Where is Summar Ali located?
She is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Summar Ali as my therapist?
You can work with Summar Ali through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Summar Ali work with international clients?
Yes, Summar Ali works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Summar Ali cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Summar Ali uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify their values and build psychological flexibility. ACT focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while taking committed steps toward what matters to the individual, which can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions.
She also draws on Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relationships influence current patterns of connection and emotion. This approach can support work on intimacy, family dynamics, abandonment concerns, and rebuilding trust in relationships.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another key tool in her practice, offering practical strategies to identify and change unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns. CBT is commonly applied for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and coping with day-to-day stressors.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and will be decided collaboratively. Summar Ali will work with each person to match methods to their goals, needs, and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds.
Online therapy with Summar Ali is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options provide flexibility for scheduling, reduce travel time, and make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals and therapists regardless of location.