baanu Baghbani-irvine 

Cognitive Behavioural (CBT) & Rational Emotive Therapist (RECBT)                          

Pronouns - She/Her

Baanu Bghbani-Irvine is a CBT and RECBT Psychotherapist. She has been working with adults, adolescents and children (individually and as part of a family) for almost 20 years.

Baanu has extensive experience working with attachment, Childhood trauma and family relationships and in the treatment of many mental and emotional disturbances including;

  • 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

Baanu has a special interest and training in dealing with infertility and adoption. She is able to help individuals / couples emotionally deal with their loss of fertility, Miscarriage, IVF, Egg/ Sperm donation and work through the trauma and emotional pain, strengthen their relationship with a goal of putting them in the best possible position emotionally to take necessary steps to move forward.

Baanu has worked as a member of the management team in Family and Children Services and she is part of the Leaders for London programme. She provides clinical supervision for a therapeutic service working with Families to a team of practitioners and has been trained in coaching skills to empower individuals.

Baanu has undertaken further training in third-wave therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Mindfulness and many more. She is able to integrate these into her practice to tailor the intervention to each client’s needs.

“My passion is in empowering people to have a better insight into their own thinking patterns and to manage their behaviour and regulate their emotions so they can lead healthier and thriving lives and relationships.

Our challenges and difficulties in life have impacted on who we are today and we need to learn to process that to better understand ourselves. I provide a safe, non judgemental therapeutic environment to facilitate in creating lasting positive change that can be implemented in any future difficulties.”

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)

  • Couples and relationship Therapy

  • Systemic Family Therapy

  • Trauma and Attachment

  • Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Languages 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

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