Dr. Pegah Houshmand , HCPC

Dr. Pegah Houshmand is an HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist based in the United Kingdom with 12 years of experience across NHS and private sector settings. She holds a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, which reflects advanced training in assessment and therapeutic practice, and her work is grounded in a clear commitment to helping people navigate difficult life stages and pursue meaningful change.

Her practice is integrative, drawing on a range of evidence-based psychological models that are tailored to each person’s needs and goals. She approaches therapy as a collaborative process, working alongside clients to identify what matters most to them and supporting movement toward restored emotional balance and improved wellbeing. Dr. Houshmand offers a compassionate, non-judgmental space where people can explore their thoughts and feelings and be truly listened to.

She has extensive experience supporting individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, bereavement, relationship difficulties, OCD, panic attacks, agoraphobia, addiction, and experiences of abuse. She also has a particular interest in eating disorders and in helping clients develop healthier, more sustainable ways of managing emotions and stress. In addition to work with adults and couples, Dr. Houshmand has trained with Place2Be and has experience working with children and young people through creative and play-based approaches. She also offers sessions for parents to reflect on a child’s emotional needs and explore strategies to support development and wellbeing.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Dr. Houshmand draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Attachment-Based Therapy alongside client-centered principles to guide online work. ACT focuses on helping people notice thoughts and feelings without getting entangled in them, and then commit to actions that reflect their values - it is often helpful for anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy explores patterns in close relationships that shape emotional responses and connection, making it useful for relationship difficulties, grief, and intimacy-related concerns. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a warm, non-judgmental therapeutic relationship that supports clients to access their own resources and build self-understanding - this approach supports work with self-esteem, depression, and general life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dr. Houshmand works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. This shared planning helps tailor sessions so the work feels relevant and achievable.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to access care - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit therapy around work, family, and other commitments. These options increase accessibility for people living abroad or with limited mobility, while still allowing therapists and licensed professionals to provide consistent, goal-focused support.