About Me

My name is Dr Andrew Maleknia and I am a Counselling Psychologist with a passion for understanding and helping people. My compassion and desire to help individuals overcome difficulties in meaningful and lasting ways drove me towards choosing an exciting career path in Counselling Psychology. I enjoy being challenged and working to create solutions that meet the needs of those around me. I am a Person Centred Psychologist with additional training in Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT), Mentalisation (MBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Art Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I provide high quality psychological therapy to individuals, groups, organisations, and also educational establishments through short and long-term focused psychological interventions.

I pride myself in having years of experience of working for the NHS, charitable organisations,  and also in private practice. I am passionate about my clinical work and about the way in which psychology can bring to the surface our unknown thoughts and feelings that underline some of our unhelpful patterns of behaviour. This awareness generates new thoughts and opens up the possibility to explore and create new ways of relating to ourselves and to others.

I offer a safe and non judgemental space to all my clients and I work ethically and effectively as a reflective scientist-practitioners. Given the extent of my training and experience I use eclectic therapy which is an approach that draws on multiple theoretical orientations and techniques. It is a flexible and multifaceted approach to therapy that allows the therapist to use the most effective methods available to address each individual client's needs. Therefore, I always aim to work creatively, compassionately and collaboratively with all my clients.

I view all my clients through a unique non-pathologizing lens which means difficulties faced by clients should not be seen as intrinsic, inescapable diseases, nor should treatment focus on “healing” or "fixing" an issue in such a way. Therefore, I adopt a strengths based approach. I understand clients’ issues through a developmental perspective and I offer long lasting solutions which not only would help you to find yourself again but to find a better version of you. I can offer assessments and treatment of more serious psychological symptoms and I specialise in Trauma.

Your Well-Being Is in Good Hands

There comes a time when help is needed from a qualified professional to cope with many of life’s challenges. I’m a Chartered Psychologist in the Milton Keynes area, and, I am here to support you on your journey toward healing and self-discovery. I integrate techniques from Person Centred Therapy, Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT) and use some elements from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR and Mindfulness. I use concepts from Evolutionary Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Philosophy, Buddhist teachings and Neuroscience. I help people develop and work with experiences of inner warmth, safeness, and soothing.

Qualifications

• Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology - University of Wolverhampton           
• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling - University of Wolverhampton   
• MSc in Health Psychology - Sheffield Hallam University                                           
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology - The Open University                                  
• Diploma in Life Coaching - Life Coaching Institute (UK & Ireland)                                               
• Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies - Nottingham Trent University                            
• BSc (Hons) in Business Studies - University of Hertfordshire 

Additional Training

• Mental Health First Aid Training for Veterans (MHFA)
• British Psychological Society Accredited Supervision Skills
• MST UK & Ireland - Multi Systemic Therapy (MST) 
• Richman EMDR Training - Level 2 and 3 of an EMDR Accredited Training
• Oxford University - Clinical Supervision Accredited Training
• Oxford University - Systemic Supervision Training
• The Compassionate Mind Foundation - Compassion Focused Therapy
• CNWL NHS Foundation Trust - Understanding and Living with Psychosis
• ICAPT University Alliance - Mentalization Based Practice in Healthcare
• EMDR Extra - Level 1 of an EMDR Accredited Training
• British Psychological Society - Working with adults with autism
• LivingWorks - Applied suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
• LivingWorks - Communication skills with people with suicidal ideations (SafeTALK)
• British Psychological Society - Working with Suicidal Patients                             
• Selfharm.co.uk - Training workshop on working with people who self harm       
• British Psychological Society - Psychometric Test User: Occupational, Ability (A)   
• British Psychological Society - Psychometric Test User: Occupational, Personality (B)
• Compass - Ten weeks training on working with Drugs and Alcohol Addiction                   
• Department of Health - Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (IBA)                       
• Cruse Bereavement Care - Awareness in Bereavement Care Counselling 

Professional Memberships

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) - Practitioner Psychologist                           
• British Psychological Society (BPS) - Chartered Member (CPychol)   
• British Psychological Society (BPS) - Associate Fellow (AFBPsS)
• British Psychological Society Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors (RAPPS)

Health Insurance

I am an approved Psychologist with the following insurance companiess):