Abel Brooks
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
If you're reading this, you're probably struggling with something and don't feel like you can talk to anyone about it. I've been there, it's rough. But in reading this listing, you’ve just taken the first step towards seeing if this is for you - that’s a big thing in and of itself. Now that you’ve done it and you’re here, why not take the plunge and get in touch with me?
Hi - I'm Abel, and I provide life-affirming therapy in Manchester and online! Everyone is heartily welcome in my therapy room (you included), and I have experience working with a wide variety of people and struggles, but I specialise in working with people who are:
- LGBTQ+ (particularly queer, transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive) or questioning
- Neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, etc) or curious about whether they might be
- Healing from religious trauma or spiritual abuse
- Figuring things out after leaving a high-control group or an abusive relationship
No matter what brings you here, I want to help you live authentically. I’m not going to pretend I’m some sort of perfect one-size-fits-all therapist, but I can promise that I’m not going to judge you or force labels on you.
Pop me an email to find out more or book a free consultation - I want to give this a try if you do!
Training, qualifications & experience
Over the course of five years, I completed an MSci in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Salford - this is the equivalent of an undergraduate degree and a masters degree, one after the other.
I have two years experience providing counselling within the NHS, working with a wide variety of clients from all walks of life. I left this role at the end of 2023 and I'm now offering sessions privately.
I'm also in training to become a Certified Transactional Analyst, and so TA is part of the way I work with clients.
I'm a Co-founder of PSIIQC, a psychological society championing LGBTQ+ self-representation in psychology.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Anyone is welcome in my therapy room, but I particularly welcome people who are or feel they might be:
- Neurodivergent (Autism, ADHD, etc)
- Transgender or gender-diverse
- Sexuality or relationship diverse (queer, polyamorous, kink, etc)
- Experience of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, high-control religion, or cults
I have personal and professional experience of working with and being part of these communities and I take an affirming approach to working with clients who want to explore them.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £50.00
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I use sliding scale pricing, depending on what’s affordable for you.
- Reduced rates - £40 online, £45 in-person (if you are low-income or would struggle to afford sessions)
- My usual rates - £45 online, £50 in-person
- Solidarity rates - £45+ online, £50+ in-person (pay what you feel for your sessions, to help support someone else)
You decide which of these feels right for you.
I don't always have availability for reduced rate slots, but ask me about it if it's something that would be helpful for you.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening | |||||||
| Night |
I currently work with recurring online slots in the afternoon to early evening (weekly or every two weeks), and do in-person sessions in the evenings and night.
Further information
I currently have quite limited availability for new clients - I have some recurring slots that happen on weekday afternoons. Email me about this and we can see if they'd be a good fit for you.
(Last updated: 10/03/25)
