Our mission

At The Blue Lotus Practice, our mission is to create a space where people can reconnect with the essence of being human. We believe therapy is not just about easing symptoms, but about returning to the core of existence — to live authentically, face life’s challenges with courage, and discover meaning even in uncertainty.

Our vision

We envision a world where individuals are supported in their search for purpose, belonging, and freedom. Like the lotus that rises from the mud to bloom, we see each struggle as an invitation to grow into a fuller, more genuine life — not by escaping difficulty, but by embracing the whole of existence.

Fazna Iqbal-Clifford

I’m an Existential Counsellor and Psychotherapist, currently completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology.

I’m trained in a range of therapeutic approaches, including CBT and psychodynamic models, which I integrate thoughtfully, as required, to meet your needs. However, my speciality lies in working existentially and phenomenologically — a philosophical and reflective process that allows me to explore with you: who you are, what you stand for, and how you experience and relate to the world around you.

I understand that therapy can sometimes feel overwhelming, confronting, or even daunting; hence why it is so important to feel genuinely supported as you explore a myriad of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. I aim to offer a warm, non-judgmental, and compassionate space where you can reflect deeply and meaningfully while moving at your own pace.

With over a decade of experience in mental health, learning disability, and neurodivergent services across educational, health, and social care settings—including roles within the NHS, local authorities, and as a trainee psychologist—I have gained extensive experience engaging with a diverse range of issues.

In my practice, I aim to create a space where you can sit with the discomforts life often throws at us — not to fix or perfect, but to understand and find meaning. I believe in normalising the struggles of existence while exploring your essence and authenticity. Instead of striving for perfection or fitting into rigid standards, we’ll explore what makes life meaningful for you.

Let’s strip away all of the layers and bring it back to the core — flaws and all, because…“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi.

Director and Founder of Practice

Marianthi Kolovopoulos

Existential Psychotherapist

I’m an Existential Counsellor and Psychotherapist, currently completing a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. My background in experimental psychology and my long-standing commitment to trauma-informed practice shape how I work today.

I am trained in the existential-phenomenological method, which makes therapy a space for you to fully breathe into who you are, with someone alongside you to explore what that means and how it takes shape in your life. However, I also work integratively when needed to incorporate a range of approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and CBT

Over the last decade, I have supported children, young people, and adults across NHS, charity, and educational settings, often meeting people at some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Much of this work has been alongside those living with trauma, anxiety, sexual abuse, developmental challenges, and relational difficulties.

Therapy with me offers a safe and attentive space to explore what feels unresolved, stuck, or overwhelming. You may be managing anxiety, recovering from trauma, navigating family difficulties, or seeking greater clarity about who you are and how you want to live. Whatever you bring, we will move at your pace, focusing on what matters most to you as well as what feels unresolved and unmet.

Importantly, trauma is not defined by the extent of what happened, but by the unresolved and unmet needs that have left lasting pain within. Together, we will explore these places gently, so that you can begin to understand, integrate, and move toward healing. As Gabor Maté writes, “Trauma is not what happened to you, but what happened inside of you.”