Sandy K Baiju

I am available:

Tuesdays 7:30am to 1pm - City Road Therapy

Tuesdays 2pm - 9pm - Islington Therapy House

Welcome. I am a counsellor and psychotherapist practising in Islington, London, and online/telephone, for individuals and couples.

My approach is integrative, which combines two different approaches to therapy.  At the heart of my therapy is person-centred theory, which draws on a core belief that honesty, empathy and no judgement in a supportive space can provide insight of the self when talking things through. The other main approach is psychodynamic theory, which uses past experiences, usually from childhood, where patterns of behaviour are formed in how we relate to others, how we see ourselves and keep ourselves safe. By working together we can recognise these patterns and achieve change by seeing what helps and hinders you most when trying to cope when things are a struggle and times are hard.

It can be difficult when taking the first step to seek help, particularly if you feel sad, lonely or unworthy about yourself, your relationship, or a situation. I offer a friendly space to talk freely and openly about whatever is troubling you, whether that is due to you feeling anxious about something, being depressed or lacking self-confidence. You may be bereaved, experiencing the loss of something that mattered to you, be in a difficult relationship or  feeling stuck and unable to move on due to unresolved issues. I am here to help and support you when you need space outside your everyday relationships and situations.

Together we can explore what it is you're facing and work towards helping you make changes for the better, and aid progress in life in the direction you want. In time, by voicing your feelings, you may feel more empowered to embrace change and learn more about yourself with insight, compassion and understanding.

For couples therapy, my approach is similar to my individual work with the same focus on the self while helping couples understand their individual dynamics, their needs within the relationship, whilst working towards goals to achieve together.

My background has been corporate for a number of years and I have a good understanding of work-related stress and difficulties with anxieties and depression in the work place. I specialise in workplace dynamics that contribute to lack of self-confidence and low step esteem. I also look at difficulties in managing workload, particularly when experiencing demands and pressures in the workplace.

I trained with NHS Wandsworth Mental Health and Well-being Services, and NHS Islington and Camden Talking Therapies (iCope) where I worked with severe depression, anxiety, BDD and the neurodivergent and can work with those in need of help in these areas.

I currently work with women's mental health charities with the focus on abuse, addiction and trauma, and can provide trauma informed therapy if in a place to work through personal trauma to accommodate eventual change. These are slow therapeutic sessions and suited to long-term therapy.

I work with both individuals and couples and can bring my experience to either types of therapy to aid understanding of the self and relationships. 

I specialise on working with individuals and their relationships. Sessions can focus on a particular relationship if needing guidance to understand own needs, wants and desires as part of a couple. We can look at how a relationship is progressing and what you feel you're both contributing to help understand whether it is working for you. 

For more information about my practice, please see my website www.tcdtherapy.com.

I am currently available at the following locations, days and times for in person therapy and on-line/telephone sessions:

Tuesdays 7:30am to 12pm (last appt.) - City Road Therapy, 335 City Road, London EC1V 1LJ.

Tuesdays 2pm to 8pm (last appt.) - Islington Therapy House, 364 City Road, London EC1V 2PY.

All sessions are 55 mins whether in person or on-line/telephone.

Individual sessions are £80. Couples sessions are £100, with the individual sessions for couples at £80 each. 

I offer a 30-minute telephone/Zoom consultation that's free of charge, to get a feel of what you want from therapy and to agree the first session whether on-line, telephone or in person.

In our first session, we will talk through how you're feeling and what you hope to achieve from therapy. This session is to welcome you and is primarily a 'getting-to-know-you' session for us both, and to answer any questions or worries you may have about the therapy. 

There may be some questions I will ask which may seem sensitive, but it should help us understand, and help you put into words, how you feel and to what extent. I understand it may seem daunting coming to a counsellor for the first time, but please be assured, we will be working together in a confidential, safe and welcoming space that will help us decide if I am the right therapist for you.

Should you decide to go ahead and have further therapy sessions with me, we would agree a time and day of the week for your sessions. Each session, whether online or in-person, would last for 55 minutes. Sessions can be time limited or open ended, should you need time to explore your needs in more depth.

For couples, I like to see each person individually for a 1-2-1 session before we start working together in the therapy room. This is to get an understanding of you both and what you want from the relationship and therapy. All sessions will allow both of you to be heard and give guidance on how the relationship can be improved as well as talk certain occurrences through. As part of the work we do together I look at what you both bring into the relationship from past experiences. To accomplish that, I ask for a questionnaire on background to be filled in as part of the preliminary individual sessions so I get a sense of you and understand what you need from the relationship as the individual so we can work towards both your goals as a couple.

I look forward to meeting you and discussing your therapeutic needs.