Sanctuary In Mind
Psychotherapy & Counselling
For women rewriting their story from within
You might be here because something no longer feels quite right.
Perhaps life has shifted in a way you didn’t expect, or you’ve been carrying thoughts and feelings that are becoming harder to manage alone.
You may feel overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected from yourself, or unsure why things feel different.
Within every woman is the capacity for steadiness. If the ordinary moments of life feel harder to navigate than they once did, therapy simply creates the space for women to rediscover steady ground.
Madiha Sheikh, Lead Clinician
Founder
Welcome to Sanctuary in Mind
Are you looking for guidance because you’ve been pushing down your emotions for so long that sometimes you no longer recognise how you’re truly feeling? Perhaps you’re carrying a quiet sense of hopelessness that’s spiralling into waves of anxiety, worry and depression – or the constant striving for ‘perfection’ has left you exhausted, quietly distorting your sense of reality.
By finding your way here today, you’ve already taken the bravest first step on your therapy journey. The changes you’ll experience through counselling at Sanctuary In Mind are not only lasting – they are deeply sustainable. The life you long for is well within reach. I can help you design your own personalised pathway so you can walk toward it with clarity, compassion and confidence.
Welcome to a space where your mind can finally feel safe, steady and at home again.
Our Focus
Sanctuary In Mind is dedicated to supporting women during the psychological shifts that often accompany hormonal change, health transitions, and pivotal stages of life.
Rather than separating emotional wellbeing from the body, the work here recognises their deep connection.
Therapy provides a thoughtful space to understand these changes, restore
inner balance, and reconnect with a steadier sense of self.
Hear from our clients
Stories of transformation
Our
Bespoke Approach
1
Bespoke Assessment
At Sanctuary In Mind, we believe understanding your story deserves more than a brief consultation. Our assessment explores your emotional, psychological and physical content, allowing therapy to begin with a clear and compassionate understanding of your experience.
2
Bespoke Treatment and Implementation
A carefully tailored therapeutic plan drawing on evidence-based approaches, designed with you in mind to support meaningful and sustainable change.
3
Self-Reflection & Self-Review
A reflective process that helps consolidate insight, strengthen self-awareness, and motivate continued growth beyond therapy.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q1: How do I know if therapy is right for me?
Therapy can help if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or aware that something needs to change but you’re unsure how. You don’t need a diagnosis or a clear goal to begin — it’s simply a space to explore what’s going on. My blog Thinking About Therapy offers a gentle starting point if you’re deciding whether to begin.
Q2) Do you offer a consultation before starting therapy?
We offer a full first session rather than a short consultation, so you have enough time to settle in,
share what’s been going on, and get a real sense of whether we’re a good fit. This approach gives you a more meaningful experience than a brief 20‑minute call.
Q3) How long is a session?
Sessions are 50-60 minutes. We’ll agree together on a pace that suits you, usually weekly or bi‑weekly. Occasionally, a 90‑minute session may be offered if it feels clinically helpful, and we would discuss this in advance.
Q4) Do you offer online therapy?
Yes! All sessions are held online. Working this way offers flexibility, privacy, and the comfort of being in your own space, which many women find helps them open up more easily. If clinically appropriate, sessions can also take place by phone. We do not currently offer face‑to‑face
appointments.
Q5) Is everything I share confidential?
Everything you share is kept confidential and handled with care. Your personal information is protected under UK GDPR, and my practice follows the ethical principles of the BACP and BABCP, which place your privacy and safety at the centre of our work. There are a few rare situations where I may need to share information for legal or safety reasons, and I would always explain this clearly so you’re never left unsure.
Q6) What are your fees?
Working with the lead clinician, a standard 50‑60 minute session is £90. Extended 90‑minute sessions are £125 when clinically appropriate. I also offer a block of six sessions for £480. If you are working with an associate therapist, they will discuss their own fees with you directly.
Q7) How do payments work?
Payment is required at least 48 hours before your appointment to confirm the session. Without payment, the slot cannot be held. Payments can be made by BACS transfer or via Stripe. Associate therapists arrange their own payment process with clients.
Q8) What is your cancellation policy?
Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or not attended, are charged at the full fee. This is because the time is reserved specifically for you. Associate therapists follow the same principle and will outline their own policy when you begin working together.
Q9) Do you work with insurance providers?
The Lead Clinician currently accept clients funded through Bupa. If you intend to use insurance, please contact Bupa directly to confirm that your sessions with Sanctuary In Mind are authorised under your policy. Please note that any missed or cancelled appointments are not covered by Bupa and will be chargeable directly to you in line with the practice cancellation policy.