Munet Hara

As a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), I believe that meaningful change begins with self-awareness, compassion, and a willingness to challenge the stories we tell ourselves. My practice is grounded in evidence-based CBT principles, but it is also deeply human and compassionate. I understand, both professionally and personally, how our thoughts can shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us — and how, with the right support, those same thoughts can be reshaped to help us live fuller, more confident, and more purposeful lives.
I came to CBT not only through academic and clinical training, but also through my own journey with self-esteem. For much of my life, I have experienced the quiet but persistent voice of self-doubt — the inner critic that questions one’s worth, competence, or belonging. Over time, and through my own therapeutic work, I have learned that these self-critical thoughts are not truths but patterns: patterns that can be understood, softened, and transformed through awareness and compassion. This understanding forms the heart of my work as a therapist today.

My Approach: Compassionate CBT

While traditional CBT focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, I bring an additional layer of compassion to the process. Compassionate CBT acknowledges that our minds are not broken — they are doing their best to protect us, often using strategies that were once adaptive but have become limiting. I help clients understand the function of their thoughts and emotions, rather than simply judging them as “good” or “bad.”
Together, we explore how past experiences and internalised beliefs may be influencing present behaviour. From there, we work collaboratively to cultivate new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding that are aligned with your values and goals. My aim is not just symptom reduction, but genuine growth — helping you to build resilience, self-acceptance, and confidence in your ability to face life’s challenges.

In our sessions, you will find an environment that is both structured and nurturing. I value curiosity, warmth, and authenticity, and I encourage my clients to bring their whole selves into the room — not just the parts that feel “sorted” or “successful.” Many of my clients are high-functioning, accomplished individuals who appear to have it all together from the outside but struggle internally with anxiety, perfectionism, or a relentless sense of not being “enough.” I understand this dynamic well, and I work to create a space where achievement and vulnerability can coexist without judgment.

Who I Work With
I work with adults experiencing a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including:
Anxiety and panic
Generalised worry and overthinking
Depression and low mood
Low self-esteem and self-criticism
Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
Stress and burnout
Adjustment difficulties and life transitions
Relationship or interpersonal difficulties

Many of my clients are professionals, leaders, creatives, or caregivers — people who are often relied upon by others, but who rarely give themselves permission to pause and care for their own wellbeing. They are motivated, insightful, and ready to make changes, but they often feel “stuck” despite their best efforts. My role is to help you understand the invisible barriers that may be keeping you there, and to support you in finding compassionate, effective ways forward.

My Philosophy: Growth Through Self-Understanding
I believe that therapy is not about fixing what is broken, but about rediscovering what has always been whole. Through CBT, we learn to recognise the powerful relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours — and how changing one can influence the others. But through compassion-focused work, we also learn how to do this with kindness rather than harshness. This combination allows for sustainable, authentic change.
For example, if you struggle with anxiety, I will help you understand what your anxiety is trying to protect you from. If you experience perfectionism, we will explore how high standards may have served you at one point, and how they might now be causing exhaustion or dissatisfaction. If you find it hard to silence your inner critic, I will help you develop an inner coach — one who motivates you through understanding, not fear.

My own experiences with self-esteem have taught me that self-worth cannot be achieved through external success alone. It comes from learning to see yourself clearly — flaws and all — and still choosing to treat yourself with respect and compassion. This philosophy underpins my therapeutic approach and allows me to connect with clients on a level that is both professional and deeply human.

What to Expect in Our Work Together
In our initial sessions, we will spend time understanding what brings you to therapy and what you hope to achieve. I take a collaborative and goal-oriented approach, so we will identify specific areas you want to focus on, while also allowing flexibility for exploration as the process unfolds.
You can expect:

A safe, non-judgmental space where your thoughts and feelings can be expressed freely.
Evidence-based CBT strategies to help you recognise and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns.
Compassion-focused techniques to build emotional resilience and self-kindness.
Structured sessions with practical tools and takeaways you can apply between sessions.
An emphasis on your strengths and values, helping you build a life that feels meaningful and balanced.

While CBT is a structured form of therapy, I believe it should also feel personal and collaborative. Each session is tailored to your unique needs and personality. Some weeks we may work on specific thought patterns or behaviours; other weeks, we may focus on emotional awareness or self-compassion exercises. My goal is to meet you where you are, and to walk alongside you as you move towards where you want to be.

Working With High-Functioning and Motivated Clients
Many of the people I work with are used to being “the strong one” — the dependable friend, the successful professional, the caring partner or parent. They often come to therapy not because they can’t cope, but because they are tired of coping in ways that no longer serve them. They want more: more peace, more authenticity, more confidence, more balance.
If this resonates with you, therapy with me offers a chance to explore what’s beneath the surface of your high functioning. We will look at the beliefs that drive your productivity or perfectionism, and ask: what would it be like to achieve without pressure, to succeed without self-criticism, to rest without guilt? These questions open the door to a more sustainable, compassionate way of being — one that allows you to perform at your best because you are caring for yourself, not in spite of it.

My Professional Background
I am a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with clinical experience across a range of settings, including private practice and mental health services. I have worked with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, depression, low self-esteem, and stress-related conditions. My training allows me to integrate various therapeutic modalities within the CBT framework, including Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This integrative approach ensures that therapy is always tailored to your needs, rather than following a one-size-fits-all model.

Professional development is important to me, and I regularly engage in supervision and ongoing training to ensure that my practice remains ethical, effective, and informed by the latest research. I approach therapy as a collaborative process — a partnership between therapist and client — grounded in mutual respect, empathy, and curiosity.

Final Thoughts
Seeking therapy is an act of courage. It means you are willing to look inward, to understand yourself more deeply, and to take steps toward a more fulfilling life. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, low mood, self-esteem, or simply a sense that something isn’t quite right, I offer a space where you can explore those feelings safely and constructively.
I know what it’s like to feel trapped by self-critical thoughts or to believe that “doing better” will finally make you feel “enough.” Through our work together, my hope is to help you move from striving to being — to live a life guided not by fear or self-judgment, but by self-compassion, clarity, and confidence.
If you are ready to understand yourself on a deeper level, to challenge the patterns that keep you stuck, and to begin living in alignment with your best self, I would be honoured to support you on that journey.