Why this matters
Everyone needs somewhere to put it down
Modern life doesn't leave many places for an unhurried, judgement‑free conversation. Friends and family care, but they're not always free, objective, or the right audience for everything on your mind. Formal therapy exists for a reason — but not everything needs a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a months‑long waiting list. Sometimes what helps most is simply being heard, properly, by someone whose only job in that hour is to listen.
Not everything needs a diagnosis
Sometimes you just want to think something through out loud, not be assessed or treated.
Loved ones aren't always the right fit
People close to you can be too busy, too involved, or too invested in a particular answer.
Professional routes can take time
Formal talking therapy is often worth the wait when it's needed — this offers a lower‑stakes space in the meantime, alongside it rather than instead of it.
Listening & Reflection · London
A quiet space to think out loud.
Shanti Alo offers structured, confidential listening sessions — a place to talk something through, at your own pace, without being rushed, fixed, or diagnosed. This is not therapy or counselling, and it isn't a substitute for either.
Sessions available in English or Sylheti.
How it works
Three steps, no pressure
Reach out
Send a short note about what's on your mind and when suits you.
Choose a time
Pick an online slot that fits your week.
Talk it through
An unhurried session, paced by you, with someone giving it their full attention.
This is a listening and reflective support service — not therapy, counselling, or medical treatment, and not a crisis service. If you're in crisis or at immediate risk, please call 999, Samaritans free on 116 123 (24/7), or NHS 111.
About
About Me
Hi, I'm Nazma.
I'm a British Bengali woman who understands the emotional complexity of living between cultures.
Alongside this work, I have years of professional experience requiring calm, impartial listening and clear boundaries in sensitive situations.
I'm particularly experienced supporting women navigating cultural and family pressures, but people of all genders are welcome.
I'm not a therapist or counsellor; this service focuses on creating a safe space for you to speak freely and be heard.
Training & background
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (Ofqual‑regulated)
- Years of professional experience in calm, impartial listening and holding clear boundaries in sensitive situations
This service is not delivered by a qualified therapist or counsellor. It offers structured, confidential listening and reflective conversation.
What to expect
What this is — and isn't
What this is
- A calm space to talk and be heard
- Reflective listening to help you explore your own thoughts and feelings
- Sessions in English or Sylheti
What this isn't
- Therapy or counselling
- Advice or instructions on what to do
Session length
Up to 45 minutes, online by video or phone.
Fee
£35 per session, paid by bank transfer before the session begins.
Sessions available
Up to 6 sessions per person. Once you've used your 6, you're welcome to book a further set after a 3‑month gap — this keeps the support short‑term and focused, in line with what it's designed for.
“I aim to create a calm, safe space where you can be heard and reflect, without judgement or pressure.”
Interested, or have a few questions before booking? Book a session, or email shanti_alo@outlook.com.
Sessions are confidential, with the exception of situations where safeguarding law requires information to be shared to keep you or someone else safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this service only for women?
No. This service is open to all adults. I have particular experience supporting women — especially with cultural, family, and relationship pressures — but men are also very welcome. Anyone who feels this reflective, non‑judgemental approach would help is encouraged to reach out.
What exactly do you offer?
I provide listening and reflective support: a calm, confidential space to speak openly and be heard. I reflect back what I hear and ask gentle questions to support clarity and self‑understanding.
Is this counselling or therapy?
No. I am not a therapist or counsellor and do not offer counselling, psychotherapy, diagnosis, or treatment. This is short‑term emotional support through reflective listening.
Will you give me advice or tell me what to do?
No. I don't take sides or tell people what decisions to make. I support you to explore your own thoughts and feelings so you can reach your own clarity and choices.
What kinds of things can I talk about?
- Feeling overwhelmed or unheard
- Relationships or family pressures
- Cultural or identity challenges
- Life transitions or difficult decisions
- Just needing space to reflect
What if I'm dealing with something serious?
If something comes up that feels beyond what listening support can safely hold — like a mental health crisis or immediate safety concern — I will gently pause the work and help signpost to appropriate support or services. This service does not replace emergency or specialist care.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes. Sessions are confidential unless there is a concern about serious risk of harm to you or someone else. In those cases, I will discuss this with you and support you to access appropriate help.
Do you keep notes or records of our sessions?
No. Sessions aren't recorded and I don't make routine written notes about what we discuss. I only keep what's genuinely needed: your booking details are deleted once the session and any follow‑up are complete, and payment records are kept only for as long as UK tax rules require. See the Privacy Policy for full details.
How many sessions can I have?
Up to 6 sessions per person is recommended, to keep the support short‑term and focused. Once you've used your 6, you're welcome to book a further set after a 3‑month gap.
Do you offer support outside sessions?
No. Support is provided only during scheduled sessions.
What languages do you offer sessions in?
English and Sylheti. You can move between languages during a session if that feels natural.
How can this help if it isn't counselling or therapy?
Being listened to carefully and reflected back in a calm, non‑judgemental space can help you:
- Understand yourself better
- Feel less overwhelmed
- Gain clarity and perspective
- Feel less alone with what you're carrying
How much does it cost?
£35 per session. Payment is made in advance.
How do I book a session?
Message or email me. I'll ask a few short questions to check this service is a good fit, then arrange your session. Go to the booking page.
Book a session
Tell me a little about what you're looking for
Sessions are held online, by video or phone call, in English or Sylheti. I'll reply within two working days to arrange a time.
If you need help right now, please call 999, Samaritans free on 116 123 (24/7), or NHS 111.
Request received
Thanks — Shanti Alo will be in touch within two working days to confirm a time.
Legal
Terms & Booking Conditions
1. About this service
Shanti Alo provides listening and reflective support sessions. This is not therapy, counselling, or medical treatment, and it is not a crisis service — see the disclaimer on the Home page for where to get help in a crisis.
2. Bookings & eligibility
Sessions are held online, by video or phone call, in English or Sylheti, and must be booked in advance via the booking form. This service is for adults only; we're unable to accept bookings from anyone under 18. Sessions can be booked one at a time, or as a block of up to 6. A booking is confirmed once Shanti Alo has replied to confirm a time.
3. Fees & payment
Sessions cost £35 each, paid in advance by bank transfer once your session time is confirmed.
4. Cancellations & rescheduling
To cancel or reschedule a session without charge, please give at least 24 hours' notice. If you cancel, or don't attend, with less than 24 hours' notice, the fee for that session is not refunded.
5. Your right to cancel (14‑day cooling‑off period)
Because you book and pay online, UK law gives you the right to cancel within 14 days of booking, for a full refund, provided the session in question hasn't yet taken place. Most people want their first session fairly soon, so if you choose a time within those 14 days, you're asking us to begin before the cooling‑off period ends — but you can still cancel for a full refund at any point before that session actually happens. Once a session has taken place, it can't be cancelled under this right, and section 4 above applies to any further sessions you've booked.
6. Refunds on a block of sessions
If you've paid in advance for a block of sessions and decide not to continue, any sessions you haven't yet had are refunded. This doesn't affect an individual session already cancelled, or missed, with less than 24 hours' notice under section 4.
7. If Nazma is unavailable
If Nazma is unable to hold a session — for example due to illness or an emergency — you'll be offered the choice of rescheduling or a full refund for that session.
8. Confidentiality
Sessions are confidential, with the exception of situations where safeguarding law requires information to be shared to protect you or someone else from harm — see the safeguarding note on the About & Services page.
9. Recording
Sessions are not recorded by Shanti Alo. Please don't record a session yourself without agreeing this with Nazma in advance.
10. Booking further sessions
Once you've used your 6 sessions, you're welcome to book a further set after a 3‑month gap. This keeps the support short‑term and focused, in line with what it's designed for.
11. Liability
Shanti Alo does not currently hold professional indemnity or public liability insurance.
12. Governing law
These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.
13. Changes to these terms
Shanti Alo may update these terms from time to time. The current version will always be available on this page.
14. Complaints & feedback
If you have any concerns or feedback about your sessions, please contact Nazma directly at shanti_alo@outlook.com. Complaints about how your data is handled can also be raised with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) — see our Privacy Policy for details.
Last updated: [date].
Legal
Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
Shanti Alo is a sole trader based in London, UK, run by Nazma, who is the data controller for the personal data described in this policy. ICO registration reference: 00015272123.
2. What we collect
When you use our booking form, we collect your name, email address, phone number (if given), your preferred days and times, and anything you choose to write in the "what brings you here" field. You don't need to go into detail before a session — only share what you're comfortable with.
3. How we use it
To arrange and deliver sessions, respond to enquiries, and keep the records needed for the confidentiality and safeguarding practices described in our Terms & Booking Conditions.
4. Our legal basis
We rely on your consent (given via the booking form) and, once a session is arranged, on the necessity of processing to deliver that session. If anything you share falls into a special category of data (for example, health‑related information), we only process it with your explicit consent.
5. How long we keep it
We only keep personal information for as long as we genuinely need it, and we don't make routine written notes about what you discuss in sessions — sessions aren't recorded either.
Your booking details (name, contact details, and anything you share to arrange a session) are deleted once that session and any immediate follow‑up are complete, unless there's a clear reason to keep them longer — for example an unresolved query or dispute.
Payment and business records are kept for as long as UK tax and accounting rules require, and nothing longer.
If a serious safety or safeguarding concern comes up during a session, we may keep a brief, limited record of what happened and the steps taken, for as long as is genuinely needed to deal with that situation properly.
6. Who we share it with
We use Formspree to collect and manage booking requests, and Outlook.com as our email provider. We do not sell your data to third parties.
7. Where your data is stored
Any personal records we do keep (payment and business records, or a safety‑incident note, where one applies) are stored securely, with access limited to Nazma. Backups are kept either on an external hard drive or in cloud storage.
8. Your rights
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to access, correct, or delete your data, and to restrict or object to how it's used. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you're unhappy with how your data has been handled.
9. Cookies
Our website uses cookies — see our Cookie Policy for details.
10. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The current version will always be available on this page.
11. Contact us
Questions about your data can be sent to shanti_alo@outlook.com.
Last updated: [date].