Harrow Talking Therapies - Harrow

Neraagulan T.

I had the privilege of working with Zahra Taj at Harrow Talking Therapy, and even though it has been a year since I completed my sessions, I still reflect on the incredible support I received. Zahra is an exceptional therapist—she truly listens, offers genuine empathy, and creates a safe and non-judgmental space to explore difficult emotions.

Throughout my time in therapy, Zahra provided insightful guidance and practical strategies that helped me navigate challenges and build resilience. She was patient, compassionate, and always made me feel heard and understood. Thanks to her support, I left therapy feeling more confident and better equipped to manage my well-being.

I am incredibly grateful for the experience and highly recommend Harrow Talking Therapy, especially Zahra, to anyone seeking professional and compassionate mental health support.

Katalin A.

6-Month Feedback

During my first session with my therapist, Soraine, I received three booklets on panic, worry management, and stress management. These helped me to better identify my problems, but they did not provide any solutions. During the third session, Soraine concluded that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was not the most appropriate method for me and instead recommended counseling therapy. However, she needed to discuss this with her supervisor. As this process dragged on for weeks, I decided to contact the supervisor myself.

I couldn’t meet the supervisor in person, so with the help of a friend, I sent an email to the address confirmed by the receptionist. As I did not receive a response, I called the supervisor. Over the phone, they confirmed that they had read my email and had responded to it, but they would investigate why I had not received it. To this day, I have not received that response, so my questions remain unanswered:

My therapist informed you that CBT was not the appropriate therapy for me and recommended counseling, yet I was not allowed to start that therapy. Why?

My therapist mentioned that future therapy sessions might be chargeable. Is this true?

If I self-refer for treatment, will I receive more attentive care than through the GP?

Could you provide more information about the online therapy mentioned on your website, which allows individuals to progress at their own pace? How does it work, and how can I access it?

How can I find useful reading materials?

Following this, my experience was that the supposedly helpful supervisor ignored my request and questions. Soraine's less intensive, once-weekly 45-minute CBT sessions were replaced with 60-minute weekly sessions with Paige, which were considered intensive. Despite my requests, I did not receive any more booklets or reading recommendations that could have been beneficial for my progress.

After 6 sessions, I contacted the supervisor again, hoping they would finally recognize that the questionnaires still showed no change in my condition and that I could start the counseling therapy that Soraine had recommended. However, the supervisor’s response was disappointing.

Paige concluded from the 6 sessions that their benefit was that I realized this treatment method wasn’t right for me. During one of our conversations, I learned that the NHS’s internal guidelines do not allow a patient to be transferred from one treatment method to another, even if the original treatment was unsuitable. I could not read these guidelines, as they are internal instructions for NHS staff only. However, if I exit the system, my GP can refer me back after 6 months, and when they assess my condition, I must state that I have already undergone both low and high-intensity CBT therapy, which did not help solve my problems, and that I require counseling. However, I need to be aware that they can only offer this treatment if I am grieving a loved one.

In the meantime, I was informed about four alternative treatments that are not provided through the NHS but work closely with them.
However, based on my many negative experiences, I cannot recommend this system, as not only does one’s condition fail to improve over time, but one may also completely lose trust in the professionals.

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Website says Wednesday open until 8PM. arrived in person to discuss an issue regarding my ongoing therapy and it says on the door open until 4.30PM. On the phone 7PM is already closed lines. Not responding to my enquiry sent by email to senior staff for 2 days, at least an acknowledgement. Not sure who else to ask my questions makes me anxious. Therapist said after 3 sessions of the 6 she wouldn't be able to help me. What a waste of time. Waiting for weeks for them to discuss my situation with their seniors how to help me and recommending other ways of therapy but going nowhere. My condition become worse not better during this period. Was funny on the 4th session I was already advised sessions after 6 would be paid sessions. I'm in doubt what is going to happen and how to proceed.

Meta M.

I’ve only had one appointment with this organisation. I had a one hour telephone consultation with a lady named Mrs Angeli. She was emphatic, asked relevant questions, extremely polite, respectful and courteous towards me. She actually listened to me.
A simple action that is incredibly difficult for most human beings these days. Just listening to someone who is struggling with their personal demons, makes the world of difference. I’ve tried the free telephone services of the Samaritans, etc with no success. However Mrs Angeli, who works for talking therapies, actually treated me like a human being. She made the world of difference to me when I needed it the most. Thank you so much. Hopefully I can utilise their services over a longer period. I am satisfied with their professionalism, support and resources. I recommend to give them a try it will definitely benefit you within your own respective journey to recovery.

Deja B.

Was called regarding making an appointment, was spoken to in a dismissive and rude manner by receptionist . This is concerning as people come to this service for serious mental help and cannot be spoken to nicely at the very least

anj H.

I used this service 2 years ago with a lady called Suzanne.

The appointments were on time she was well informed, polite and was a good listener. However she cancelled my next appointment after only 2, and dismissed me (letter in post) without any prior discussion or agreement. It definitely felt like she didn’t care about the rapport, and had punished me for trying to reschedule the next appointment.
It destroyed my ability to confide again or deal with my issues which had bought me there in the first place. Looking back, I wish I had the confidence to make a complaint at the time.

S

I actually thought they would give me some help of some sort but unfortunately I was let down. The lady whom I spoke to for the assessment was nice, she was willing to listen and asked questions and also informed me that I would be getting my therapy sessions. Moving onto the actual session on the phone with the therapist, it just seemed like she wanted to end the call as soon as possible and didn’t care about what I was saying. The name of the lady in question is Martyle Brown or something. She didn’t seem the slightest bit interested in what I was saying to her, her replies were short and she seemed as if she would rather be anywhere but talking to me. Shame because the same people encourage you to reach out then don’t care when you’re forwarded onto them.

J O.

A message for Zahra Taj

Starting therapy with you opened my eyes to tools I could use to challenge my health and social anxiety. I learnt so much from you- Theory A/B, Inverted Pyramid, Pie Charts to name a few, which I will continue to utilise. I am now a happy woman again, attending social events, chatting to my colleagues and challenging sensations I feel in my body, using the above tools.
Your calm approach and knowledge are a testament to how good you are at your job. Your patience was astounding! I remember on a couple of occasions when the computer was playing up you held on, patiently and although on one occasion it took about an hour to resolve you never once made me feel like I was useless or imposing. Your constant reassurance to relax and keep trying that day will forever be engraved in my heart as to how I should also treat others.
I looked forward to our sessions every week but as we all know all good things must come to an end. Zahra, you are definitely one in a million human being and therapist. No doubt you will continue to impact many more lives. Continue the good work.
Wishing you all the best in all your undertakings.

Kind regards

J

Claire W. (.

Fantastic! Amy has been amazing doing CBT with me. I’ve had really bad anxiety for years now and she has given me tips and techniques that have been a literal life changer.

Great service and lovely staff