About me
My name is Beren Aldridge and I have led the Porchlight Practice since 2005. I am a UKCP registered Psychotherapist and a Certified Transactional Analyst. I offer psychotherapy in a friendly, experienced and professional environment and I support individuals and couples with short-term problem solving and longer term personal and relationship change. Alongside this work I also train psychotherapists at the TA Training Organisation in Leeds and supervise other counsellors and psychotherapists in their work.
I have many years experience working with clients using telephone and online methods, alongside my practice in person in Kendal. Due to Covid-19 I am currently only working by phone and online and will be very happy to talk to you about how this works and how such work can be different but equally as supportive as working in the room together.
I work with clients with a wide range of issues and concerns such as: anxiety, stress, depression, relationship challenges, anger management, recovery from trauma, sexual issues, processing childhood experiences, eating and weight issues, bereavement, obsessional thinking and compulsive behaviour, developing coping strategies.
In my practice I integrate a range of therapeutic approaches alongside my core training as a Transactional Analyst including:
- cognitive-behavioural - developing tools and techniques to change unhelpful feelings
- psycho-dynamic - understanding and changing how different aspects of our personality interact with one another
- relational based therapy - using the realtionship that is established between myself and client to better understand my client's relationship patterns
- body psychotherapy - learning how to settle our feelings by increasing awareness of of our physical experiences
I am very happy to discuss your issues or concerns, or my work, by telephone before scheduling an appointment.
Training, qualifications & experience
I began my training as a psychotherapist in 2001 and started the Porchlight Practice in 2005. I am both a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst and a Certified Transactional Analyst, and I am a registered Psychotherapist with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). I am also a member of the United Kingdom Association for Transactional Analysis (UKATA) and abide by the Codes of Professional Practice and Ethical Principles of both organisations.
I have many years’ experience working as a therapist with a broad range of issues and problems, with people from all walks of life and I have worked with people with significant mental health issues throughout my career. I was a founder, and for ten years the Organisational Coordinator, of a local mental health charity, Growing Well. I also spent four years managing Growing Well's NHS funded therapeutic community for people with personality disorders where I was also part of the team of psychotherapists.
Member organisations
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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy
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.
Accredited register membership

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.

Areas of counselling I deal with
Fees
I charge £60 for a one hour session.
Further information
I grew up in the Lake District, and worked and studied in London and the USA before returning to the area. I am married with three children.