Tanya Poonawala

Therapist Directory Listing Category: Online Therapy

About the Therapist

About the therapist:

If you're here, you might be overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure how to move forward. Therapy with me is a space to foster healing and self-awareness as you navigate complex experiences and emotions. We aim for a communicative and reflective relationship where your inner world is met with care and curiosity. As a queer Indian therapist, I bring an intersectional lens to my work—we don’t exist in isolation, but at the crossroads of multiple social identities that constantly shape us. This is a place where your story matters and is heard.

I have spent the last few years researching post-colonial power systems, racial identity & trauma, belonging and cultural identity. I'm deeply attuned to how identity, race, and oppression can impact queer experiences. I work with queer people of colour using this lens.

I bring the understanding that it is often difficult to know what you need or want. The beauty of therapy is that it is a collaborative process. I aim to support you at every step, offering space to slow down and discover what feels true for you.

Sexual identity:

Bi- | Pansexual
Queer

Gender identity: Female

Gender history: As assigned at birth

Non-monogamy: Yes

Intersex: No

Neurodivergent: Yes

Personal pronouns: she/her

Qualifications - Links to websites:

MA with Distinction, Psychodynamic Counselling & Psychotherapy from Goldsmiths, University of London, 2021-2023.

BA Marketing & Psychology, FLAME University, India, 2014-2018.

I attend regular clinical and peer supervision to support my practice. I also partake in a monthly 'Ethics in Therapy Practice' discussion group and attend Continuous Professional Development courses to keep my skills and knowledge up to date.

I'm happy to answer queries about any of the above.

Qualifications - Additional:

Award	Awarding body	Year of award
Individual Member	British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Experience and approach:

I have been in the field of mental health for 7 years, providing group therapy and one-on-one therapy both in India and the UK. I've learned what it feels like, as a queer person of colour, to straddle two very different worlds. I come with the awareness that the queer experience is often about moving between spaces, balancing identities, and finding belonging in places that may not always feel welcoming.

Psychodynamic therapy, my specialty, is where we explore how your past shapes your present. We also explore the unconscious influences that drive current patterns of behaviour and emotions. I also practice person-centred therapy, which values your autonomy and means I believe that you are the expert on your own life. I use relational therapy to deepen your self-awareness through connection. Healing comes through knowledge of how your relationships, including ours, shape your sense of self and way of operating.

I work with people who struggle with trauma and abuse, issues around identity, and complex family dynamics. We spend initial sessions understanding your story and building a sound relationship. Though healing is not linear, most of my clients experience small shifts and improvements in well-being in 6 weeks. I incorporate art, music, play, mindfulness, and somatic practices where needed. We can explore different approaches that feel right for you.

Approaches:

Interpersonal
Neurodivergent
Person-Centred
Psychodynamic
Relational

Marginalised groups:

BDSM | Kink
Bi- | Pansexual
Consensual non-monogamy
Lesbian
Non-binary | Genderqueer
Queer
Trans

Relationship styles:

One to one

Access:

No adaptation

Age ranges:

Adults
Seniors (60+)
Young adults (16-24)

Online status:

Online

My fees per session is £65. Fees are payable in advance of each session.

I offer a sliding scale for those facing financial barriers. If cost is a concern, we can discuss a rate that works for you. Feel free to reach out to discuss the same.

I offer a complimentary 30-minute session to help you get a feel of the therapy space. Finding the right therapist is essential, and there’s no obligation to continue if you feel it’s not the right fit for you.

50 Garthorne Road, London, Greater London SE231EW, United Kingdom

Email: psychotherapy.tanya@gmail.com

Website: