Chandana Rathnayake , BACP, NCPS
Ex-monk turned registered counsellor
- Purpose and meaning work
- Grief and life transitions
- Low self esteem support
About Chandana Rathnayake
Chandana Rathnayake began practising as a counsellor in Malaysia in 2013 and moved his work to the United Kingdom in 2019. He is a registered counsellor with professional credentials listed as BACP and NCPS; BACP indicates registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy while NCPS denotes additional professional recognition in counselling. Alongside his private practice, he works as a mental health adviser supporting young adults in the higher education sector in the UK.
Before entering formal counselling training, Chandana spent twenty years living as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, where a traditional education shaped his early life and later helped him access studies in psychology and counselling. He left the monkhood to pursue family life, an experience that now informs his work as he balances clinical knowledge with lived experience of transition and commitment.
Chandana describes a therapeutic style that blends improvisation and collaboration. He aims to help people recognise and use their own strengths and life experiences as resources, including painful or difficult material that can be transformed into building blocks for change. He often invites clients to explore meaning, purpose and direction, and to work through grief, major life changes and struggles with self-worth. While not a specialist in couple therapy, he has supported individuals facing relationship challenges and those coping with low self-love, confidence or esteem. Chandana frames counselling as a shared, creative process that draws on everything a person brings into the room.
Before entering formal counselling training, Chandana spent twenty years living as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka, where a traditional education shaped his early life and later helped him access studies in psychology and counselling. He left the monkhood to pursue family life, an experience that now informs his work as he balances clinical knowledge with lived experience of transition and commitment.
Chandana describes a therapeutic style that blends improvisation and collaboration. He aims to help people recognise and use their own strengths and life experiences as resources, including painful or difficult material that can be transformed into building blocks for change. He often invites clients to explore meaning, purpose and direction, and to work through grief, major life changes and struggles with self-worth. While not a specialist in couple therapy, he has supported individuals facing relationship challenges and those coping with low self-love, confidence or esteem. Chandana frames counselling as a shared, creative process that draws on everything a person brings into the room.
Areas of Expertise
Also Specializes In
AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
Attachment issuesCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disasterEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Existential Therapy Internal Family Systems Systemic Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Chandana Rathnayake have?
Chandana Rathnayake has 10 years of experience.
Is Chandana Rathnayake a registered therapist?
Yes, he holds these credentials: BACP, NCPS.
In which languages does Chandana Rathnayake provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English and Sinhala.
Where is Chandana Rathnayake located?
He is located in the United Kingdom.
How can I work with Chandana Rathnayake as my therapist?
You can work with Chandana Rathnayake through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Chandana Rathnayake work with international clients?
Yes, Chandana Rathnayake works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Chandana Rathnayake cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Approaches that inform remote counselling
Chandana integrates client-centered therapy, which places the client at the heart of the process and focuses on empathy, active listening and supporting personal growth; this approach helps with self-esteem, motivation and life-direction concerns. He also draws on existential therapy, which explores questions of meaning, choice and responsibility to support people wrestling with purpose, midlife shifts or spiritual questions. Internal Family Systems is another influence - it works with the different parts of a person we carry inside, helping individuals address inner conflict, self-criticism and patterns that fuel anxiety or addictive behaviours.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. Chandana collaborates with clients to identify which methods fit their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts techniques as the relationship develops so the chosen path feels practical and relevant.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit schedules, time zones and comfort levels. For many people this makes it easier to access regular support, maintain continuity during life changes and work with registered professionals without the need for travel.
Ready to start therapy with Chandana Rathnayake ?
Take the first step toward a better you.