Welcome to Phoenix Counselling 1814
Supporting you to heal, rebuild and rise
My name is Shilla Patel and I am a BACP registered counsellor providing trauma-informed counselling for adults in North London and online.
Trauma-Informed, Culturally Responsive Counselling
At Phoenix Counselling 1814, I provide trauma‑informed, culturally responsive counselling for people navigating experiences such as childhood sexual abuse, domestic abuse, bereavement, identity‑based harm, and the emotional impact of inequality and discrimination.
My work is grounded in the belief that healing is possible when people are met with compassion, cultural understanding, and a therapeutic relationship built on safety and trust.
My Experience
I draw on over 25 years of experience in mental health, wellbeing, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Alongside my Masters training in Counselling and Psychotherapy, I have supported survivors across policing, the fire service, charities, and community organisations — experience that has shaped a practice rooted in justice, dignity, and deep respect for lived experience.
My Approach
In therapy, I work collaboratively with you to explore what you’re carrying, how it affects you, and what you need in order to move forward. My approach integrates trauma theory, intersectionality, and cultural humility, recognising that our identities and histories shape how we experience the world — and how we heal.
Working Together
Whether you are seeking support for trauma, navigating a life transition, or simply wanting a space to reconnect with yourself, my role is to walk alongside you. Together, we create a space where your voice is centred, your story is honoured, and your healing is supported at your pace.
Phoenix Counselling 1814 exists to offer a space for renewal — a place where you can rise from what you’ve survived and move toward the life you want to build.
Peer Support Groups in North London and Online
Are you an adult survivor of child sexual abuse / domestic abuse who has engaged with the criminal justice system?
Phoenix Rising 1814 is a peer-led online support group created for survivors like you — those who have navigated the complex, often painful terrain of reporting, police interviews, court processes, or institutional responses.
This is not therapy. It’s not crisis support. It’s a space to connect, be witnessed, and rise — together, in our own time.
What to expect:
- A small, steady online group
- Free to attend
- Trauma-informed, culturally responsive facilitation
- No pressure to share — your pace, your voice
- A focus on safety, boundaries, and collective strength
We welcome survivors from all backgrounds, and especially honour the experiences of those from minoritised communities who’ve faced racialised harm, institutional betrayal, or systemic injustice.
If you’re curious, cautious, or just exploring — that’s okay. You’re invited to register your interest. We’ll follow up gently, with care and clarity.
Phoenix Rising 1814: Reclaiming voice. Rebuilding power. Rising together.
My Journey into Counselling and Psychotherapy
I’m a BACP registered counsellor and psychotherapist specialising in trauma, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), loss, discrimination, oppression and the emotional realities faced by minoritised communities. My path into therapeutic work has been shaped by more than two decades of experience in mental health, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and trauma‑informed practice across policing, the fire service, charities, and community organisations.
My career began in public service and training, where I designed and delivered programmes on mental health, trauma, inclusion, and leadership for thousands of professionals. Over time, I found myself consistently drawn to the human stories behind the systems — the people navigating grief, identity, discrimination, violence, and life‑changing events. That pull led me to deepen my work, retrain, and ultimately qualify as a counsellor through my Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Alongside my clinical training, I have supported survivors of domestic abuse, bereavement, and suicide loss through my work with St Joseph’s Hospice, Bedes Housing Association, the Resourceful Women’s Network, the National Suicide Prevention Alliance, and crisis support services. These experiences have shaped my belief that healing must be culturally grounded, relational, and rooted in justice.
Phoenix Counselling 1814 was born from this journey — a commitment to creating a therapeutic space where clients feel seen, heard, and honoured. My approach integrates trauma theory, intersectionality, and cultural humility with warmth, collaboration, and deep respect for each person’s lived experience.
I bring not only professional expertise, but a lifelong dedication to empowering individuals and communities to rise, rebuild, and reclaim their stories. The phoenix is a symbol of renewal — and it reflects the heart of my work: walking alongside you as you navigate your own path toward healing, strength, and possibility.
Sessions and Fees
I am based in North London. Sessions last 50 minutes and are held online via Zoom or telephone, usually taking place on a weekly basis, and cost £70 per session. I also provide a limited number of spaces for those on low-income; please contact me to enquire about availability.
If you're interested in working with me, the first step is to book a no fee 20 minute New Client consultation Zoom call. Email me to book the initial assessment.
Please note: if you want to cancel an appointment I require 48 hours notice; otherwise you will still need to pay for any sessions missed. I accept payment by bank transfer.
Get in Touch
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about how counselling works, or if you would like to arrange an initial consultation. This first conversation gives us the opportunity to explore what has brought you to therapy, whether counselling could be helpful for you, and whether I am the right therapist to support you.
You are welcome to contact me by email to ask any questions before booking. I understand that reaching out can feel like a big step, and I aim to respond with warmth, clarity and care.
All enquiries are usually answered within 24 hours. Your privacy is very important - all contact is treated as strictly confidential and handled using secure email services.