How can I help?

Welcome to my website. My aim as a therapist is to help you live the life you want.

I am a Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) psychotherapist and a former GP, practicing in London and Hertfordshire from 1996 to 2013. I offer a unique and holistic perspective on mental health problems, combining my CBT training at the world-renowned Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre with my years as a frontline GP.

I work with people experiencing all types of anxiety and depression, low self-esteem and trauma (PTSD and complex PTSD). In addition, I work with people who have complex physical issues alongside their emotional distress, including chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms.  I also work with people who have ADHD and with people who have experienced significant trauma. 

I take self-referrals, health insurance referrals and referrals from GPs, psychiatrists and other medical consultants (where physical symptoms may be worsened by or are causing mental distress). I see people via secure online video conferencing.

In addition to my private work, I also treat doctors who are suffering with mental health problems (via the NHS Practitioner Health Programme https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk ). I also hold an Honorary CBT Therapist position at the Camden and Islington NHS Traumatic Stress Clinic (https://www.candi.nhs.uk/services/traumatic-stress-clinic ).

Dr Anita has been brilliant - first and foremost attentive and kind but also intensely practical. She has helped me identify how I feel and how I can change negative patterns of thought and behaviour. I would recommend her to anyone looking into CBT. ‘Sam’, 2019.

I met Anita in a very difficult moment of my life, and she was able to support me in a confident, constructive and effective way. Since the first contact I made with Anita, I felt I could trust her, her sense of duty, and her professionalism. Always emphatic and respectful, and never invasive, Anita supported me to deal with the issues I was confusingly facing (mainly generalised anxiety) and made me able to become more aware of my strengths. Through our sessions, and by practicing in between sessions, I learnt useful skills and techniques, and I gradually understood that there is always a different (and better) way to approach our issues and challenges. In a relatively short period of time, I felt empowered and in control, and I managed to overcome issues I had tried to fix for a long time before. Anita has great communication skills, is flexible, and able to create a relaxed environment, making the patient feeling in a safe place. My experience was totally positive and successful, and I would not hesitate to recommend Anita to anyone close to me. ‘Jo’, 2020.

 

At a time when I felt overwhelmed with my family and working life, I was introduced to Dr Goraya through the Practitioner Health Programme (for Doctors). I was new to therapy and CBT, but I was aware that there is a large evidence base for this treatment and I was keen to try anything to make me feel better. From the very start, in spite of virtual appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Goraya put me at ease and clearly explained the process. I found her feedback and encouragement very positive and exploring my strongly held (unhelpful) beliefs about life were very revealing. With her expert guidance I made rapid progress and now feel more resilient, armed with strategies to help maintain my improvement. From a personal viewpoint, taking to a fellow doctor and trained CBT therapist made the whole experience easier for me. Although with her engaging manner and sensitivity, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone. In fact, I have already encouraged a friend to see her! 'Max', 2021