Mandika Shah-Dhillon, BACP

Mandika Shah-Dhillon offers calm, steady support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression and life changes, including concerns around addiction, trauma and relationship patterns. She provides a welcoming space for those who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. Mandika aims to help people slow down, understand themselves better and find practical ways to move forward.

She trained in Person-Centred Counselling and the Psychotherapeutic Relationship at the University of Warwick and holds the BACP credential. She is also completing an MSc in Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Her background includes work in private practice, university mental health services, addiction support and crisis roles, which inform how she responds to immediate pressures and longer-term patterns.

Mandika works in a warm, relational and intuitive way. Sessions begin from whatever a person brings, even if they are unsure how to describe it. She uses a blend of client-centred listening, trauma-aware practice and contemporary psychological ideas to shape the work.

In practice this can mean talking through what feels most urgent, noticing recurring patterns, and learning simple techniques to manage distress between sessions. She pays attention to emotions, relationships and practical steps people can try in daily life.

People who come for support can expect a steady presence and a non-judgemental space to explore grief, identity concerns, intimacy-related issues, parenting stress, career questions, ADHD-related struggles and other challenges. Mandika will collaborate with each person to set realistic goals and pace the work to their needs.

How her approaches translate to online work

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on attentive listening and helping a person find their own answers. This approach suits people who want a steady, non-directive space to talk through feelings, relationships and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns. It can help with anxiety, low mood, sleep and coping skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Mandika will discuss different ways of working and choose methods that fit a person's goals and preferences. The plan is collaborative and can shift as needs change over time.

Please confirm the session formats offered before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, caring responsibilities or travel, and it can reduce time spent on commuting. Some formats are better for shorter check-ins, others suit more in-depth conversation or practical exercises. Discussing practicalities at the start helps tailor sessions to everyday life and routines.