Ounkar Kaur, Psychodynamic and Relational Therapist
“It is the therapy that needs to fit the client and not the client fit the therapy”
– Jafar Kareem
My work is rooted in love, compassion, empathy, and challenge. Inspired by the Sikh principle of ‘Sewa’ (selflessness), I believe in altruism and the power of listening as a form of emotional presence. This builds trust and fosters a collaborative journey between client and therapist.
Presenting Issues I Work With:
- Abortion/Miscarriage
- Anger Issues
- Arranged/Forced Marriage
- Bereavement, Grief and Loss
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Bullying
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse
- Family Planning and Parenting
- Human Trafficking/Sex Crimes
- Intergenerational Conflict
- Low Self-Esteem
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Phobias & Fears
- Relationships
- Self-harm
- Social and Cultural Isolation
- Stress/Trauma and PTSD
- Suicidal Ideation
- Transgenerational Conflict
Ounkar primarily uses Psychodynamic therapy but also draws on other relational models:
- Psychodynamic Therapy: Encourages individuals to speak freely about their emotions, desires, and fears, often linked to past experiences and childhood, to gain insight into their present concerns.
- Humanistic/Person-Centred Therapy: Helps individuals develop a stronger sense of self by exploring and understanding their feelings. This collaborative, non-judgemental approach supports individuals in finding their own solutions and reaching their full potential.
- Intercultural Therapy: Recognizes the importance of race, culture, and ethnicity in therapy. It addresses the unique challenges faced by different groups, particularly those from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) backgrounds.
In her journey of learning, Ounkar recognise the immense value of learning from others. As relational beings, we become more aware of ourselves through our connections. In her clinical practice, she regularly witnesses this principle in action and is continually moved by the insights her clients bring, and what she learns from them.
During her years as a trainee counsellor, Ounkar worked in various voluntary sector projects, supporting individuals with addiction and helping women with their emotional health. Instrumental in developing a counselling service for South Asian women, Ounkar addressed the barriers they faced in accessing mainstream mental health services. This service ran for over seven years, supporting women aged 16 to 70.
In 2007, she became an honorary counsellor at The Bridge Foundation (Bristol), providing therapy to individuals and couples. Concurrently, as a family support worker, Ounkar facilitated support groups for Somali women, focusing on parents transitioning their children from junior to secondary school. From 2011 to 2014, she worked as an independent therapist for Womankind (Bristol Women’s Therapy Centre), supporting refugee and asylum-seeking women, including those trafficked into forced marriages.
Membership and Accreditations:
HARVEST THERAPY
44 Russell Square,
London WC1B 4JP
United Kingdom
Phone Number:
020 8962 6247
email: info@harvest-therapy.co.uk
