About me
Do you ever feel like you’re holding everything together for everyone else, even when you’re struggling inside? Some people come to counselling knowing exactly what’s wrong. Others just know something doesn’t feel right anymore. Either way, you’re welcome here.
You might want tools, answers, or simply a bit more control over how you feel. My aim is to give you a calm, respectful space where you can slow down, talk things through, and start to understand yourself more clearly.
People often say things like:
“I need coping strategies.”
We look at how you cope now and why those patterns developed. Most coping habits were once your mind’s way of protecting you. Understanding them helps you change them.
“I want to stop this behaviour.”
Instead of forcing yourself to stop, we explore what the behaviour is doing for you. When you see the purpose behind it, it becomes easier to shift it without beating yourself up.
“I don’t want to feel like this anymore.”
Big feelings can be scary or exhausting. I help you build confidence around your emotions so they feel easier to manage, not something you have to avoid or fight.
“I just want someone to tell me what to do.”
Many people feel this way. Often what you really need is space to hear your own thoughts more clearly. I help you reconnect with your own sense of what feels right.
Choosing a counsellor can feel like a lot, especially when there are so many options. It’s normal to wonder who you’ll feel comfortable with. I work in a warm, steady way, and I shape the sessions around what you need, whether you come on your own or as a couple.
My work is also shaped by my experience supporting my partner, who lives with MS. I understand how easy it is to lose yourself when you’re caring for others. That’s why I care so much about helping people find their way back to themselves in a safe, manageable way.
You might be dealing with things like:
Parenting teenagers
Menopause
Work stress
Caring for ageing parents
Loss, loneliness, or big family changes
Blended family challenges
Whatever you’re facing, we go at your pace. It might be one session or ongoing support. It’s your time.
My approach is gentle and down‑to‑earth. I don’t see people as broken. I see people doing their best with what they’ve lived through. Together we look beneath the surface so you can understand yourself better, ease old patterns, and move forward with more confidence and trust in yourself.
Sessions are online or face to face in my comfortable room in Darrington, near J40 of the A1 and about 10 minutes from Xscape or Pontefract Centre.
Taking the first step can feel scary, so I offer a free 20‑minute call to see if working together feels right for you.
📞 Call or text 07459 036603
📧 Email me to arrange a time
I aim to reply within 24 hours
In our first session, we’ll take time to understand what’s brought you here and what you’d like from therapy. It’s your space to breathe, reflect, and feel supported.
Training, qualifications & experience
- SEG Awards ABC Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, Wakefield College- March 2023
- TA101: Introduction to Transactional Analysis- May 2025
- MOE Certified Coach- June 2024
- Trauma-informed Training 2025
- TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism- Nov 2023
- SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Skills, Wakefield College. December 2020
- SEG Awards ABC Level 2 Award In Counselling Concepts December 2019
- CPD Course and Certificate from the Open University and BACP- Working Online as a Counsellor- 2020
- Continuous Professional Development in:
- MS-UK- MS Awareness and Counselling people with MS
- Working with Trans and Gender Diverse clients
- Exploring Suicidal Risk with Clients, practical and relational ways of working with Suicidality
- Working with trauma
- Self harm awareness
- Working with addictions
- Bereavement awareness.
- Understanding Dementia Better-
- June 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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£50.00 - £80.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Fees and payment will be discussed at the initial sessions.
Individual Face to Face Counselling £50 for a 50 minute session.
Couples Face to Face Counselling £70 for 50 minutes.
For face to face in Wakefield an additional £10 on the rates shown above.
When I work
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early morning | |||||||
| Morning | |||||||
| Early afternoon | |||||||
| Late afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
Further information
Endorsements
T & N From Pontefract- August 2025
Thank you very much Alison! We really appreciate it, you've helped us massively and when I think about where we were 12 months ago, life feels completely different (in a good way!)
K from Pontefract September 2024
You have been incredible and the biggest rock to offload to when I needed it the most. I feel I would not be as strong as I am now if I hadn't come to see you so I just want to say a huge thank you.
A from Northampton- September 2023
I'm so glad that I found Alison. She has provided me with a compassionate, kind and non-judgemental listening ear at a time when I needed it the most. I never thought I'd be in the position to need to speak to a counsellor and was very nervous about what it would be like, but she made it as easy as possible and helped me to navigate the challenges I was dealing with. As a result I now have the tools and the self-belief I need to be able to face whatever comes my way. I cannot thank Alison enough and would recommend her to anyone who feels like they are struggling and might be hesitating to get some extra help.
Z from Pontefract- April 2024
I have used Alison for nearly a year and she has changed my life. I originally started for help with OCD & Anxiety and went on to offloading anything that that got me down or overwhelmed and I've benefitted so much. My thought process, coping mechanisms, the boundaries I have daily to help me and learning how to process things differently. I'm a different person and my kids, family and friends are like "wow, who is this new person" Its so lovely.
I cannot thank Alison enough and still plan to use her on an ad-hoc basis when I get overwhelmed or anxious and the world gets on top of me.
