mental health and recovery after coercive control in west london

Learn to thrive somewhere new.

Let me guess…

You are forging a new path, and looking backwards is painful

My doctoral research explored the recovery experiences of survivors of coercive control. I was interested in what promoted growth and the challenges people faced during the healing process. Survivors may be struggling with tremendous grief, questioning their views of the world, or feeling full of anxiety and fear about the future.

Managing relationships during and after this time – including post-separation abuse and parenting – can be especially re-triggering, making it feel impossible to build a life with joy and ease. In this podcast, I discuss some of the questions I get asked most often.

I’m here to support you through this change.

Psychological support after coercive control can help you find yourself again.

As part of my private practice, I try to lend my voice to improving responses for survivors. I have also been working as part of the Domestic Violence & Abuse Working Group for the British Psychological Society since 2021, where we have been working on improvements within the sector, including drafting guidelines for improved psychological practice (currently in process).  I am part of research and advocacy groups that endeavour to improve the academic research in this area.  While my interest in the research base is alive, the heart of my work is in clinical practice. I have trained in multiple evidence-based therapies from psychological science and integrate the best of these approaches to help tailor my approach to each individual and what they are trying to overcome.

  • Finding out what your current difficulties are, and signposting you to recommended providers or services

  • Conducting a psychological assessment to help guide you to build emotional well-being for your family

  • understanding where your difficulties stem from so you can manage them better

  • Learning practical tools and strategies tailored to what you are managing

  • Exploring your concerns and hearing what other survivors found helpful in a supportive, validating, and non-judgemental space

  • rebuilding your identity to boost your self-esteem so you feel confident again

  • Discovering your boundaries, and how to place your needs in relationships so you can trust others and build intimacy

What we’ll work on

The Journey

Endorsements

  • Beach and waves

    Dr Saira Khan is a compassionate and committed professional. I saw her working in the front-line of domestic abuse facilitating support groups and one-to-one sessions with survivors . She is one of the few mental health professionals I came across with a deep knowledge of coercion and controlling behaviour in perpetrators of abuse.

    Marcela Benedetti, VAWG specialist and activist

  • Starfish

    It was my pleasure to be Dr Saira Khan's doctoral external examiner, a role which required me to read and critically assess Dr Khan's doctoral thesis. Her thesis was about recovery from intimate partner violence and abuse, and I was very impressed with Dr Khan's deep and accurate knowledge of intimate partner violence and abuse If you are looking for someone who understands what it takes to recover psychologically from intimate partner violence, abuse and coercive control, I highly recommend Dr Saira Khan.

    Dr Emma Katz, academic and global expert on Coercive Control

  • Fish

    Saira is a highly experienced and skilled practitioner with exceptional interests in social justice, ethical practise an research. She is also an empathic person with an immense ability to hold safe, warm, non-judgmental space for those who need it most. Within the professional field she is highly regarded and appreciated for her dedication for work as she exceeds expectation, often goes beyond the call of duties to support the team and remains approachable and dependable.

    Dr Mou Sultana, Lead of DVA Working Group at British Psychological Society, 2023

FAQS

What others have wondered about therapy around coercive control

  • As a social enterprise, I provide some reduced-fee consultation sessions. I also provide one-off consultations around possible support options. Feel free to contact me if you would like more information.

  • Although I have clinical experience supporting children and families, I only work with adults 18+. However, I often work with adults on how to support their children and their well-being.

  • Unfortunately, I do not at the moment. My work is mainly clinical and academic.

More questions? Check out my FAQs page.

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