About me

I am Haiko -- a counsellor, coach, and academic based in London. My background is unusual for a therapist: I spent about two decades researching how the human mind and brain develop, publishing work on early development, neuroscience, compassion, and wellbeing before training as a counsellor. That combination shapes everything about how I work.

I bring the rigour of psychological science into the room -- not as jargon or theory, but as a genuine understanding of why we think, feel, and behave the way we do. I work online with adults navigating things like anxiety, depression, procrastination, loneliness, trauma, ADHD, OCD, ASD, feeling stuck, or simply wondering what comes or where to go next.

I qualified as a BACP Integrative Counsellor & Coach in 2024, and I continue to work part-time as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Westminster. My practice is small and intentional -- I work with people I can genuinely help, and I take that seriously.

For further details please see my work profile here or check my

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My Approach

Therapy with me isn't one-size-fits-all. I draw on a wide range of evidence-based approaches -- including person-centred, psychodynamic, existential, Gestalt, somatic, ACT and CBT -- not because I cycle through them mechanically, but because different moments call for different kinds of attention. Sometimes what is needed is to sit with something difficult. Other times it is to actively work towards change. Often it is both. I collaborate with my clients to determine their main aims and how we might best work towards them together.

People come to me with all kinds of difficulties -- anxiety that won't switch off, a low mood that's lasted longer than it should, past experiences that keep surfacing, ADHD that makes daily life feel like swimming against the tide, OCD, a sense of being stuck without knowing why, or simply a feeling that something needs to change but you're not sure what. I also work with people who are neurodiverse and navigating a world that wasn't designed with them in mind.

Coaching

Supportive and collaborative sessions tailored to your emotional and mental wellbeing needs.

Integrative Counselling

Practical guidance to help you set achievable goals related to your values and build resilience.

A note especially for MEN: many men find it hard to reach out. There can be a sense that you should be able to handle things yourself, or that talking about what is going on feels unfamiliar or exposing. In my experience, men often make profound progress in therapy once they find a space that feels direct, non-judgmental, and grounded -- not just in feelings, but in understanding. If you're on the fence, the first step is simply a conversation (contact me here).

My counselling and coaching approach is further informed by my academic training in and knowledge of developmental cognitive and affective neuroscience. Together with colleagues, I have published academic journal papers on e.g. a yoga and mindfulness intervention study at an inner city high school with high levels of multiple deprivation, as well as a book chapter on the neuroscience of compassion.

FAQ & Practicalities

How we will work together

• Weekly online sessions are 50 min and are scheduled on Monday or Tuesday (sometimes I can do other days as well; please ask)

• I use both counselling and coaching approaches (if and when required)

• We start with 3 sessions -- enough time for both of us to get a real sense of whether working together feels right.

• Progress is usually reviewed every 6 sessions thereafter

How much does it cost?

• Counselling: £75 for 50 minutes (I offer 2 concession slots per week if/when available for those on a low budget; proof needed)

• Only Coaching: £120 for 90 minutes (shorter 60 minute coaching sessions can be arranged as well for £80)

What services do you offer?

I trained as an Integrative Counsellor & Coach, using the Personal Consultancy framework developed by Dr Nash Popovic and Debra Jinks. This collaborative framework allows me to work as a counsellor and/or coach if and when needed, depending on the client's needs. Many clients, after having worked through certain issues with their therapist, ask themselves 'now what?'. This is where the integration of counselling and coaching might be very helpful, because as your coach-therapist I could keep working with you, but now in the capacity of a coach, working towards some goals you set for yourself as a result of doing therapy. This does not mean I would always include coaching elements into our therapy sessions, only when required/requested.

More info on the Personal Consultancy approach to integrative counselling and coaching set up by Nash Popovic and Debra Jinks can be found here:

Personal Wellbeing Centre

Personal Synthesis - A Guide to Personal Development

How can I contact you?

If you have any further questions or would like to have an initial chat with me then please fill out the 'Get In Touch' Section below or email me via hello@haiko-therapist-coach.co.uk. you can also check my

Further info on my academic career can be found here: University of Westminster

Confidentiality

• Sessions are confidential

• Exceptions: serious risk of harm (to self or others), legal requirements, or court order

• Sessions will be discussed anonymously in supervision

Records & Privacy

• Anonymous notes are kept securely for 7 years (password or pass code protected according to GDPR UK guidelines), then destroyed

• You may see notes during a session

Cancellations

• Life happens, and I understand that sometimes plans need to change. If I need to cancel a session, I'll let you know as soon as possible and we'll reschedule or arrange a full refund -- no questions asked.

• If you need to cancel, I ask for at least 3 days' notice so that the time can be offered to someone else. Cancellations with less than 3 days' notice will be charged the full session fee. This is mainly because I work Mondays and Tuesdays, and the weekend right before makes it more difficult to book another client last minute. I know this can feel strict, but holding that boundary allows me to keep the practice sustainable and fair for everyone.

Contact between sessions

• Contact only by email for scheduling.

• No therapy (or coaching) by email.

• For crises: NHS 111, 999, or Samaritans 116 123.

Ending therapy

• You may end therapy at any time, with 3 weeks’ notice.

• For only coaching sessions, different arrangements will be made during initial contact.

I've never tried therapy before — where do I start?

Starting therapy for the first time can feel daunting, and that's completely normal. You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. Many people come simply with a sense that something isn't quite right, or that they've been managing on their own for too long.

The first step is simply getting in touch. You can use the contact form below or send me an email (hello@haiko-coach-therapist.co.uk), and we'll arrange an initial conversation -- informal, no commitment, and no pressure. This gives you a chance to ask any questions you might have, and gives us both a sense of whether working together might be a good fit.

If you decide to go ahead, we'll start with 3 sessions. These early sessions are about getting to know each other and beginning to understand what has brought you to therapy (and/or coaching). There is no expectation that you open up about everything immediately -- the pace is always yours to set.

Many people find that the hardest part is simply making that first contact. If you're reading this and wondering whether therapy is for you, that wondering itself is often a good enough reason to reach out.

Get in touch