Zulkernehn Hayat, BACP

Zulkernehn Hayat is a counsellor practising in the United Kingdom with three years of professional experience. He supports people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and major life changes. He aims to meet clients respectfully and with sensitivity.

He uses a conversational, person-centred approach and adapts each session to what a client needs that week. Sessions begin by listening to worries and priorities, then building small goals that feel achievable. The focus is on practical steps and clearer ways of thinking rather than complex jargon.

Hayat draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and try out different responses. He also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ideas to help people notice what matters most and take values-based action. Mindfulness techniques are offered to calm stress and anchor attention in the present.

When grief or loss is coming into sessions, he offers a steady presence and space to talk about what has been lost. With trauma and abuse, he moves at a pace the client finds manageable and works to rebuild a sense of safety in day-to-day life.

He also supports people with relationship and attachment questions, body image or identity concerns, and long-term health or caregiving stress. He explains options clearly and helps people choose realistic next steps.

To start, he encourages a simple first step that feels manageable and then shapes the plan from there.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then move toward actions that match their values. It can be useful for stress, low motivation and big life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking patterns and testing new behaviours to reduce anxiety and worry. It often involves simple exercises between sessions. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to lower reactivity and manage strong emotions in the moment.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose which methods to try based on their goals and what feels comfortable. They will review progress and adjust the mix of techniques as needed so the plan stays practical and relevant.

If you are considering online therapy, check the session formats available before booking as options are not specified here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit care around work and family life, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people try out interventions such as CBT exercises or mindfulness practices between sessions to see what helps day to day.