About me
Hi, I’m Alayna, a qualified Integrative Counsellor.
I’m a friendly, warm, and approachable person, and I believe that feeling comfortable with the person you’re talking to is a really important part of counselling. I want you to feel that you can come as you are, without worrying about being judged, saying the wrong thing, or needing to have everything figured out.
How I work
My approach is rooted in person-centred therapy, meaning I see you as the expert in your own life. I believe that the relationship we build together is at the heart of counselling, and I aim to create a space where you feel genuinely listened to, understood and accepted.
As an Integrative Counsellor, I draw from different therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic, Gestalt and cognitive behavioural approaches. This means that rather than expecting you to fit into one particular way of working, I can adapt our sessions around you, your experiences and what feels most helpful.
What counselling with me can feel like
I don’t believe counselling needs to feel clinical, intimidating or like you’re sitting across from someone who has all the answers. I’m human too, and I bring warmth, openness and authenticity into my work while maintaining professional boundaries and a safe therapeutic environment.
You might arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about, or you might not know where to begin at all. Both are completely okay. We can take our time, explore what feels important to you, and work at a pace that feels manageable.
My service
I currently offer 50-minute online counselling sessions, available weekly or fortnightly. My aim is to make accessing counselling as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
If you’re considering counselling but aren’t quite sure what you need or whether I’m the right counsellor for you, I offer a free introductory call before you decide to book a session. This gives us the opportunity to briefly talk about what has brought you to counselling, answer any questions you may have, and most importantly, see whether counselling with me feels like the right fit for you.
There’s no pressure or expectation to continue - finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with is important, and I want you to feel confident in your decision.
I work in accordance with the ethical standards of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
I am a qualified Integrative Counsellor and hold a Master of Arts (MA) in Integrative Counselling from Leeds Beckett University. My course was BACP-accredited, and I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I also hold a BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Mental Health, which provided me with a broad foundation in mental health, psychological wellbeing and counselling theory.
My therapeutic training
My training has covered a range of therapeutic approaches, including person-centred, psychodynamic, Gestalt and cognitive behavioural approaches. As an Integrative Counsellor, I can draw on different approaches and adapt the way I work to each individual, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£45.00 - £50.00
Additional information
Fees
My standard fee is £50 per 50-minute counselling session.
I also offer a limited number of reduced-fee sessions at £45 for clients who may be experiencing financial difficulties, students, or trainee counsellors. These spaces are limited and are discussed on an individual basis.
Payment
Payment is made by bank transfer prior to each session. Further payment details will be provided when a session is booked.
I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged at the full session rate, except in circumstances where there are exceptional or unforeseen circumstances.
Introductory call
Before booking your first session, I offer a free introductory call. This gives us an opportunity to briefly talk about what you’re looking for, answer any questions you may have, and see whether working together feels like the right fit.
There is no obligation to book counselling following the call.
