About Me

My journey to becoming a psychotherapist began long before I entered a counselling training room.

I come from a working-class background, where I grew up with the values of hard work, humility, family and looking out for others. For over 20 years, I worked within my family's catering business, Al-Noor House. Throughout those years, I had the privilege of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life. Being part of a community-focused business taught me that behind every conversation, smile and interaction, there is often a story that remains unseen.

I saw the pressures people carried, the challenges they faced and, at times, how difficult it could be to talk about what was really going on. Those experiences stayed with me and gradually shaped my understanding of how important it is to have somewhere you can feel heard, understood and accepted.

As a British Asian Muslim man, I have also experienced some of the cultural and personal barriers that can make talking about emotions difficult. Shame, stigma, expectations and the fear of being judged can sometimes make reaching out for support feel particularly challenging. My own experience of therapy became an important turning point. It gave me the opportunity to better understand myself and helped me recognise the value of having a space where you can be open without fear of judgement.

Over time, I became increasingly aware of the importance of representation and of creating spaces where people can bring their culture, identity, faith and life experiences into the room without feeling that they have to leave parts of themselves at the door.

This eventually led me to train as a counsellor and progress into psychotherapy. Although I came to this path later than some, looking back, it feels as though it has been over 20 years in the making. The experiences, relationships and lessons from my earlier life have all played a part in shaping the therapist I am today.

Through The Lighthouse Counsellor, my aim is to offer a safe, steady and welcoming space where you can talk openly, explore what you are experiencing and make sense of things at your own pace. I don't believe I have all the answers, or that therapy is about telling someone which direction to take. Like a lighthouse, I hope to provide a steady point of support while you find your own way forward.