Sehansa Hettiarachchige

Sehansa Hettiarachchige is a counsellor working within The Awareness Centre’s NHS Counselling Service in Wandsworth. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is currently working towards a Diploma in Integrative Counselling. She also holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and has a strong academic and clinical background in psychology and mental health. Sehansa works integratively, drawing on a range of therapeutic approaches to respond to each client’s individual needs, experiences and goals. Her practice is primarily rooted in the person-centred approach, while also incorporating psychodynamic, Gestalt, acceptance-based and mindfulness approaches, as well as cognitive techniques where appropriate.

Sehansa believes that therapy is a collaborative process and aims to create a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where clients feel able to explore their experiences openly and at their own pace. She takes time to understand each person as an individual and works alongside clients to develop greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, behaviours and relationships. Her integrative approach allows her to adapt her way of working according to what may be most helpful for each client. She may explore how early experiences and relationships have influenced current patterns, or use Gestalt-informed techniques to increase awareness of the connection between thoughts, emotions and bodily experiences. Acceptance-based approaches and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) may support clients in developing a more accepting relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings, while cognitive reframing can help them recognise unhelpful patterns and develop more balanced perspectives. Throughout the therapeutic process, Sehansa aims to support clients in developing effective coping strategies, strengthening emotional regulation and moving towards greater wellbeing and meaningful, sustainable change.

Before becoming a counsellor, Sehansa worked in business management and human resources, where she developed extensive experience of working closely with people from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. She has also worked for Mind, a mental health charity, supporting clients experiencing a variety of mental health and emotional difficulties. These experiences, together with her background in psychology, have shaped her understanding of the complex ways in which personal experiences, relationships, culture and identity can influence emotional wellbeing. Sehansa has a particular interest in supporting people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties, challenges with self-understanding and coping, and difficulties arising from life experiences and transitions. She brings curiosity, cultural sensitivity and openness to her work and is committed to helping clients gain a greater understanding of themselves, develop healthier ways of coping and feel more able to navigate life with confidence.