About me
Are you increasingly noticing patterns in yourself such as
- overthinking and spiraling thoughts (symptomatic of anxiety, depression emotional burnout and trauma)
- holding back emotionally (avoiding conflict, emotions are unsafe)
- struggling to feel at ease (social anxiety, shame, hypervigilance)
- feeling lonely even around others (at a loss to make yourself understood)
These patterns are not random, but shaped by earlier relational or life experiences that continue to influence how you connect, and respond to the life challenges you currently face.
About Psychotherapy
You are the expert on your own experience. My role is to work alongside you in understanding patterns, processing difficult emotions, and finding a way forward that feels more manageable and authentic.
Working with a therapist to address whatever is bringing you discomfort and unhappiness can be transformative, and does not necessarily have to be long term or a lifestyle choice. 50 minutes once a week for as little as eight weeks can be enough to gain some clarity, grieve your past, relate to yourself and others differently, and relocate some joy and purpose.
About Me
I am a UKCP and BACP registered psychotherapist working with adults (21+) navigating complex relationship dynamics, identity questions, and emotionally challenging life experiences.
Alongside anxiety, depression and burnout, I work with people processing IVF and it's aftermath, boarding school childhoods, relationship difficulties, and LGBTQIA+ / GSRD-related challenges.
Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked in marketing and public relations. I understand the stress of pressured, results-based environments—the expectation to hold things together, to excel, and to make it all look effortless.
My approach draws on person-centred, relational and psychodynamic thinking. This means we pay attention not only to your past experiences, but also to what’s happening in the present moment—between us and in your wider life.
Training, qualifications & experience
- I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited clinical psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), and adhere to their ethical frameworks.
- I trained at The Minster Centre, one of Europe’s leading integrative psychotherapy training institutions, and hold an MA, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (with Middlesex University).
- I am a member of British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA), and The Relational School
Practice Information
- In private practice since 2018
- Sessions are online and in-person, including outdoor therapy (see my website for details)
- Registered with AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva
- DBS cleared
- In regular clinical supervision and ongoing CPD
- Outdoor first-aid qualified
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Fertility and reproductive experiences
- Fertility treatment (including IVF)
- Miscarriage and pregnancy loss
- Involuntary childlessness
- The emotional impact of the fourth trimester, postnatal depression (PPD) and matrescence
Early environments and family dynamics
- Boarding school childhoods and their long-term impact
- Sibling relationships and complex family dynamics
- Childhood trauma, including neglect, sexual and physical abuse
Identity and relationships
- GSRD (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity)
- LGBTQIA+ experiences
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 - £75.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Getting Started
I offer a free 25-minute introductory session (online, phone, or in person). This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels right. There is no obligation to continue. If you decide to go ahead, we will agree a regular time.
Before starting, I will send you further information and a client agreement.
Session format
- Online. Some people choose online work for convenience; others are looking for support with specific issues in which I specialise.
- Location (in person): Miller’s Yard, Gillygate, York (10-minute walk from York station, with nearby parking)
- I also undertake sessions outdoors in and around York and the Howardian Hills. See my website for more details.
- Availability: Monday–Thursday
I offer:
- short-term work (8–12 sessions)
- outdoor therapy sessions
- longer-term therapy
- twice monthly therapy
- one-off sessions
- hybrid (online and in-person)
When I work
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Further information
I aim to respond to enquiries within 24 hours (excluding weekends).
I am happy to use the introductory call service on this website, but because of my limited weekly availability for that service, it will be quicker to email, phone or text me whenever is convenient for you, and we arrange an introductory meeting that way.
You can also contact me via my website: www.abispencepsychotherapy.co.uk
If you are in immediate distress, please contact NHS mental health support via 111, or call the The Samaritans on 116 123.
