Zenubia Makhdoom

Zenubia Makhdoom is an Integrative Trainee Counsellor and is registered with BACP. She works within The Awareness Centre’s low-cost counselling service.  Zenubia has a BPS accredited Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Psychology with Counselling and is now completing her Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling. This enables her to draw on a range of therapeutic modalities that help her provide a tailored approach which remains client-focused, client-centred and client-led.

Prior to her training as a Counsellor, Zenubia worked as an Applied Behaviour Therapist, supporting vulnerable individuals, including young people with autism. Through leading workshops, Zenubia has supported individuals to develop their self-esteem, nurture their emotional wellbeing, cope with anxiety and depression, and become more certain of themselves and their abilities. Her other roles as a Mentor, Carer and Community Youth Development Volunteer have also shaped the way she views individuals and emphasise her commitment to supporting them.

Coming from a minority Muslim sect and a South Asian background, Zenubia has lived experience of navigating identity, cultural and religious complexities, which informs her understanding of clients from diverse backgrounds. She therefore aims to provide a culturally sensitive and inclusive approach to clients, while holding genuine curiosity for each client’s unique experience.

Zenubia recognises that starting counselling and change in general can feel daunting for some people and aims to support them to develop insight, feel comfortable and build their confidence. She sees counselling as a collaboration between client and counsellor, where the client has full autonomy over their decisions, plans and life in general, while the counsellor provides the safe, empathetic and supportive space to explore this. Her practice aligns with the BACP Ethical Framework, which is informed by reflective practice, supervision and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.