Baanu Baghbani-Irvine 

psychotherapist & Rational Emotive Therapist (RECBT)                          

Baanu Baghbani-Irvine 

Psychotherapist & Rational Emotive Therapist (RECBT)                          

MSc, PGD, PGD, BICA

Pronouns - She/Her

Baanu brings over 20 years of therapeutic experience working with adults, adolescents, and children, both individually and within family systems. Her specialist focus includes childhood trauma, attachment-related difficulties, and relationship challenges, areas that often form the root of emotional distress across the lifespan.

With an integrative and trauma-informed approach, Baanu draws from CBT, RECBT, systemic thinking, and third-wave therapies such as ACT, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. She has also undertaken specialist training in working with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This flexible, evidence-based foundation allows her to adapt therapy to suit each client’s unique background, goals, and emotional needs.

Baanu is extremly committed to her continued professional development. She is currently completing a UKCP-accredited training in Attachment-Based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, reflecting her enduring interest in how early relationships shape our self-concept, emotional wellbeing, and adult relational patterns.

She also has a long-standing interest and specialist training in infertility and adoption. Baanu supports individuals and couples navigating the emotional complexities of fertility struggles, miscarriage, IVF, and donor conception. Her approach offers a compassionate, structured space to process grief, strengthen relationships, and move forward with clarity and resilience.

Alongside her clinical work, Baanu has held leadership and supervisory roles in Family and Children’s Services. She has been part of a management team, participated in the Leaders for London programme, and provides clinical supervision to practitioners supporting families. Her training in coaching further enhances her ability to empower individuals in both personal and professional growth.

“My passion is in empowering people to gain deeper insight into their thought patterns, manage behaviours, and regulate emotions — so they can lead more fulfilling lives and relationships. Life’s challenges shape who we are, and I offer a safe, non-judgemental space to process these experiences and create lasting, positive change.”

Baanu’s area of expertise includes:

• Anxiety

• Anger

• Attachment problems

• Body image problems

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)

• Career counselling

• Codependency

• Childhood Trauma

• Depression

• Difficulties in maintaining a healthy lifestyle

• Guilt

• Eating disorders

• Family Issues

• Fears of abandonment

• Generalised Anxiety (GAD)

• Grief / bereavement

• Health Anxiety

• Jealousy or self-discipline problems (for example comfort eating)

• Low self-esteem

• Miscarriage

• Managing stress

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• Parenting Issues

• Post Traumatic Distress Disorders (PTSD)

• Post Natal anxiety /depression

• Procrastination amongst others

• Pregnancy & Birth

• Relationship problems

• Redundancy

• Seasonal affective disorder

• Sleep problems

• Shame

• Social Anxiety

• Trauma

LGBTQI+ Inclusive :

Baanu has number of diversity and inclusion in therapy trainings. Some specific gender identity and sexual orientation training.

• Workplace Training: Sexual Orientation & LGBTQ+ Inclusion

• Therapeutic Expertise: Affirmative & ACT Therapy

• Addressing Unconscious Bias & Systemic Microaggression

Experience in:

• Assisting Parents of LGBTQ+ Children / Adolescents

• Supporting LGBTQ+ Adolescents

• LGBTQ+ Relationship & Couples Therapy

Exploring Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (RECBT). A Path to Emotional Well-being

Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (RECBT) stands as a dynamic and proactive form of psychotherapy, focusing on empowering individuals to transform self-defeating thoughts and beliefs into constructive ones that foster emotional health and goal attainment. As a prominent variant of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), RECBT is grounded in robust evidence and recommended by NICE, making it a highly sought-after therapeutic approach. This therapy not only addresses emotional challenges but also equips clients with practical skills to navigate life's complexities, promoting lasting psychological resilience and well-being.

Understanding Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Transforming Thoughts and Behaviours

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a transformative therapeutic approach that delves into the intricate connections between thoughts, emotions, and actions. It emphasises the present, helping you identify and alter persistent patterns that may be sustaining challenges in your life. In CBT, you'll work collaboratively with your therapist to uncover these patterns and learn effective strategies for responding to your thoughts in ways that positively influence your mood and overall well-being. This proactive, skills-based therapy is designed to empower you with the tools to manage and improve your mental health, making it a popular and effective choice for those seeking lasting change.

Approaches Baanu is trained in include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• Rational Emotive Therapy (RECBT)

• Trauma and Attachment

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness

• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)

• Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT)

• Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy

• Integrative Therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Schema Therapy

• Solution Focused Therapy

• Structural family therapy

• Systemic Couples Therapy

• Systemic Family therapy

• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

• Attachment-Based Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

  Baanu works with:

• Adolescents (10 - 15 Years)

• Adolescents (16 - 18 Years)

• Adults (19-65 Years)

• Elderly (65+ Years)

• Couples and relationship Therapy

• Family therapy

• Individual Therapy

Baanu can offer therapy in include:

English, Finnish and Persian (Farsi)

Qualifications & Credentials

• Member of British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA)

• MSc in Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy - CBT therapist.

• PGD in systemic Family Therapy - Clinical supervisor.

• PGD in Psychodynamic approach to psychotherapy 2009-2011

Feedback about therapy with Baanu

Transform Your Life with Baanu

"I just want to say thank you. Therapy with you has changed my life and it helped me regain a sense of self. I no longer feel like everything is too heavy, I am able to manage my emotions better and I am excited at life again. I feel so much more self-aware and my whole life is improving. I am ready to focus on other areas on my life and I am more self-focused and starting to feel less guilty about it. You have a wonderful skill of listening, but also challenging my behaviour and I will always recommend you to anyone searching for a therapist." Anonymous

Rebuilding Relationships Together - Baanu so was warm, supportive and helpful

“Baanu was so warm, supportive, and helpful, and I am so thankful to have worked with her. She helped my partner and I through a difficult period in our relationship, and through therapy we learned a lot about ourselves and each other.” Laura

Experience Tailored and Impactful Therapy with Baanu. A Journey to Sustainable Change

“Baanu was a skilled and adept therapist. She took time to fully understand my difficulties and their origins building an individualised approach. She took my feedback on board as we moved through sessions on what was and wasn't and what else needed addressing. As a therapist myself I found this was invaluable but she also pushed me where needed to address uncomfortable issues and for the first time I feel I was able to address the root causes and make sustainable change. Thank you so much.” Jen (Therapist Baanu Baghabani-Irvine)

Empowering and Insightful Therapy for Deep Personal Growth

“Baanu was excellent in every way. She was really easy to talk to, always made me feel comfortable and had a really good way of empowering me to open up about topics that I have felt uncomfortable digging into in the past. She also was able to show me links to these things and my struggles with my mood that really allowed me to re-contextualise events in my childhood that contributed to issues I have experienced recently. I really enjoyed working with her and would recommend her as a therapist to anyone looking to explore therapy further.” Mark

I immediately felt at ease with Baanu.

“I immediately felt at ease with Baanu. She was very open, warm and very human in her approach. I felt she truly heard me and listened attentively. She was not afraid to challenge me on occasion. My therapy was a very positive experience.” Anonymous

Masterful Guidance to Uncover and Transform.

“Baanu was absolutely fantastic throughout. She’s very skilled at getting to the bottom of behavioural challenges - when I thought something superficial was a challenge she helped me pick apart situations to really identify the belief or behaviour, why it exists and what I can do to be more aware and in control of my own out puts. At the same time I felt like I was in a safe space and could experiment with my thoughts to identify which tools and ways of thinking would be helpful.” Annabel

Seamless Journey from Inquiry to Therapy. Exceptional, Empathic Online Sessions That Feel In-Person

“The process from inquiry to the final invoice has all been very smooth. It felt that my needs were listened to and the best possible solution was suggested. My therapist was absolutely amazing; incredibly knowledgeable, empathic, and clearly used to online forms of therapy. During the session, it seemed as if we were in the same room making me feel safe and secure.” Anonymous

Guiding You to Insightful Solutions and a New Perspective on Personal Challenges

“Baanu really did help me find answers I was looking, she listened to everything I had to say and along the way gave me guidance and tips to make me realise that all these problems I thought I had, weren’t so much problems, but stuff I was allowing myself to think were problems.” Joe

A Perfect Blend of Attentiveness, Guidance, and Emotional Safety

“The therapy sessions were great! Baanu was very astute and was great at recalling conversations and names from previous sessions. Baanu was great at guiding me and helping me release emotions whilst maintain that safe non-judgemental space.” Dylan

Transformative Therapy Experience: Unlocking a Happier, More Confident You

“The therapy I received has ultimately changed my life! I’m a happier, more confident person now than I probably ever have been. I would highly recommend it, to anyone who has any mental health issues they wish to address and resolve!” Paul

Expert Support for Emotional Healing and Confidence Post-Breakup

“Baanu is an excellent therapist. I started therapy with her after my breakup. She made me feel comfortable from the first session onwards. I could easily open up to her. I had 6 sessions with her and each session made me feel better. Her therapy methods are very effective. At the end of 6 sessions, I was feeling more confident and felt I was over the breakup. I would highly recommend Baanu. She is the best!” Annonymous (6 sessions