Malik Akhtar, BACP

Malik Akhtar is a counsellor with 22 years' experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, addiction and relationship challenges. He works with a wide range of concerns including depression, trauma, grief, eating and sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem and jealousy. Malik communicates in English, Punjabi and Urdu and practises in the United Kingdom.

He trained as a person-centred counsellor and holds BACP membership, which he follows in his work. He offers both short and longer-term therapy and adapts his pace to what each person needs. Sessions aim to be straightforward and focused on the practical steps a person wants to take.

Malik uses a mix of approaches. He tailors sessions to what feels right for the individual rather than using a single method every time. That means the content of sessions can change as a client's goals or circumstances change.

In practice he listens without judgement, helps people clarify their priorities, and works on small achievable changes. He includes mindfulness and solution-focused ideas where they fit, and draws on motivational techniques to support someone through change. The emphasis is on collaboration and clear, doable action.

People who value direct, calm conversation and step-by-step planning often find his style helpful. He is used to supporting clients dealing with multicultural issues, shame and guilt, OCD-related worries, panic and substance problems. For anyone unsure about next steps he encourages a brief initial match process to see if the approach fits.

Approaches that work well online and in therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s perspective. It helps people feel heard and supports them to find their own solutions to issues such as relationship stress, grief or low self-worth. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that reduce reactivity and help with anxiety, sleeping problems and compulsive impulses. Solution-focused work looks at small, practical steps and what is already working; it can help when someone wants short-term change or clearer goals.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Malik treats the choice of method as collaborative and will discuss what fits your needs, goals and preferences. Over the first few sessions he will adjust the balance between listening, mindful practice and focused goal-setting so it matches what helps you most.

Confirm the exact session formats before booking, as options are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, family and travel. It can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and provide continuity when someone is away from their usual area. Registered or accredited professionals can use online work to support ongoing progress without forcing a particular schedule.