Alan Hall

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CBT L5 Dip | Dip Counselling | MBACP | BSc (Hons) | PGCE

About me

How I Can Help

When your mind won’t switch off, or your feelings become overwhelming, you don’t have to stay stuck. I can help you make sense of what’s happening and find a way forward that works for you. 

I am an experienced counsellor. I offer a comfortable, confidential space in a beautiful canalside location in Parbold where you can talk openly, be heard and feel understood. Face to face appointments are also available in Southport. You can start wherever feels right for you. I also provide online and telephone counselling across the UK if this works best.

 I have worked extensively with people experiencing anxiety, overthinking, low mood and depression, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties and phobias, as well as difficulties linked to internet or social media use. I also have experience supporting people in demanding professional roles who may appear to be coping well while feeling stressed, overwhelmed or under constant pressure. I have substantial experience working with autistic individuals, people with ADHD, and others who are neurodivergent.

How I Work
I have diplomas in person-centred counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT explores how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are linked. By recognising unhelpful patterns, you can develop more effective ways of responding to difficult situations and triggers. CBT is collaborative, so we work together to identify practical ways forward.

Alongside this, my person-centred approach provides a supportive, non-judgemental space where you can move at your own pace. I also draw on mindfulness where appropriate, helping you notice thoughts and feelings without becoming so caught up in them, and creating greater calm and perspective.

My Background and Experience
I am a Registered Member of the BACP. My professional background includes mental health, rehabilitation, education and management. This has given me a strong understanding of psychological difficulties, workplace pressures and the challenges of maintaining balance when life becomes demanding.

I studied Philosophy and Psychology, followed by postgraduate study in Philosophy and Mental Health. I was also a Research Fellow at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, where my work explored mindfulness, wellbeing and education.

Sessions and Next Steps
Sessions can focus on a specific issue over a shorter period, or continue for longer where that feels more useful.

You can use the contact form to arrange a free 20-minute telephone consultation. This gives us an opportunity to briefly discuss what brings you to therapy, what you would like help with and whether working together feels right for you.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualifications

  • Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Diploma in Counselling
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Philosophy and Mental Health
  • BSc (Econ) in Philosophy & Psychology
  • PGCE
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills & Theory

Professional experience - I have experience working with:

Anxiety and overthinking. Depression and low mood. Bipolar disorder. Stress and burnout. Phobias and low self-esteem. Work-related difficulties. Life changes and transitions. Loss and bereavement. Neurodiversity, including ADHD and autism. Relationship difficulties.

My professional background includes over 30 years of experience across mental health, management and teaching.

Registered Member, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Research Fellow, Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford, 2022–2025; research focused on mindfulness in education

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I also offer Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT), integrating mindfulness with CBT to help people relate differently to difficult thoughts, feelings and recurring patterns.

Walk and Talk Counselling in Parbold

If you prefer being outdoors, I also offer Walk and Talk counselling along the canal and surrounding paths in Parbold. Walking side by side can make conversation feel more natural, without the formality of sitting opposite one another. We can walk at a comfortable pace, pause when needed and use the time to explore whatever you'd like to bring to counselling.

Fees

£45.00 - £50.00

Concessions offered for

  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed
  • Refugees

Additional information

Online counselling £45 | Face to face £50

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

Sometimes it helps to step away from everyday pressures and have somewhere quiet to talk.

I offer face to face counselling in a comfortable, peaceful room in Southport, with convenient parking. Sessions are also available in a spacious room in Parbold, close to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, with pleasant views and a relaxed atmosphere. Parbold railway station is nearby, with good road links to the M6 and M58.

If you'd like to find out more, please book a free 20-minute introductory phone call, or get in touch by message or email if you prefer.

Southport, Merseyside, PR9

Parbold, Wigan, Lancashire, WN8 7NJ

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Young people (13-17)
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Families
Groups
Organisations

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

I am in a building on the first floor with a wide staircase. The entrance has double doors with a small one inch step at the entrance. If you prefer being outdoors, I also offer Walk and Talk counselling along the canal and surrounding paths in Parbold

Online platforms

FaceTime
Microsoft Teams
Whatsapp
Zoom

Social