Alison Cavanagh


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
Thank you for visiting my site. I am dual trained in both Adult and Children & Young People's Counselling.
I specialise in working with parents/ guardians and or young people experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, stress or health problems. Some young people are struggling with family relationships. It is normal for children and families to have ups and downs and many find counselling very helpful.
As a parent/ guardian you may be experiencing your own difficulties, relationship problems, anxiety, low mood, grief as examples, can all impact your energy levels to be the parent you want to be. You may feel overwhelmed and not know what may help.
I am an experienced counsellor who is patient and empathic. I am also a parent and grandparent, who understands the challenges as well as the joys of raising children. Prior to my counsellor training, I was a Registered Children's & Adult Nurse working in Schools and hospitals.Family centred care has been at the heart of my professional life.
What I can offer a parent/ guardian or young person:
I firstly offer a free, informal 30 minute phone call where you discuss the troubles you are having and what you feel may help. You may not know what may help and that is fine. I will listen and together we can see if you would like to work with me.
All young people are welcome to include a parent / guardian to join the call, if that is their choice. Only from there you can, in your own time, decide if you want to start therapy.
Depending on your individual preferences, we can tailor counselling for you and your goals. Some clients come for one or two sessions, and some for much longer. It is your choice.
Working together is tailored to individual likes and dislikes and I will make every effort to ensure our work together is paced to your wants and needs.
Thank you for reading my profile. I offer you my warmest wishes in contacting me or another therapist.
Further information:
I am an inclusive therapist and will make required adjustments to meet your accessible requirements wherever possible.
My practice is trauma informed.
I have a current DBS certificate [December 2024]
I am Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office [January 2025]
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and adhere to their ethical framework. I have a clear DBS certificate.
- Post Graduate Diploma (Level 7) In Counselling & Psychotherapy with Distinction [University of Salford] 2014
- Masters Degree in Human Relations [University of Salford] 2007
- CPCAB Certificate Level 5 in Working Therapeutically with Children and Young People in School Settings [Place2be] 2024
- CATT training [Children's Accelerated Trauma Training] 2024
- The Kindness Crusade - Compassion focused therapy for wellbeing 2023
- Certificate in Creative Counselling with young people 2021
- Working with bereaved children 2022
- Prevent awareness training 2023
- Luna Suicide bereavement training 2021
- Bumps and Bashes First Aid 2024
- Papyrus Suicide prevention training 2025
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
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free, no obligation 20 minute telephone discussion
I work with people from 13 years upwards on a short or long term basis.
I can offer weekly or fortnightly sessions.
I have 1 slot at a fee of £40 for people on reduced income, subject to availability
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morning | |||||||
Afternoon | |||||||
Evening | |||||||
Night |
Further information
If wheelchair access is required I will make arrangements for you.
My current premises have limited stairs.