Darren Vella

Verified Professional Verified Professional
Verified Professional

Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.

he/him
MSc, MBACP Integrative Counsellor (BACP)

About me

You may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, stuck in repeating patterns, struggling in relationships, or simply wanting to understand yourself more deeply. Whatever brings you to therapy, I offer a warm, relational and inclusive space where we can explore what is happening for you together.

I work online with adults experiencing a range of difficulties, with particular experience supporting LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent clients.

Training, qualifications & experience

I am a qualified BACP registered integrative therapist with an MSc in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy and an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology.

Prior to becoming a therapist, I spent over 15 years working within mental health services across both clinical and leadership roles in the NHS and voluntary sector. This experience has given me a broad understanding of psychological wellbeing, mental health systems, and the many different ways people experience emotional distress and personal challenge.

My training draws on Gestalt, Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural approaches, allowing me to work flexibly and responsively with each person's individual needs. I undertake regular supervision and continuing professional development to ensure my practice remains ethical, reflective and informed by current practice.

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

Identity exploration

Sexuality and sexual identity

Gender identity exploration

Queer affirmative therapy

LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy

Neuroaffirmative therapy

Late-diagnosed ADHD

Adult ADHD

Autistic adults

Masking and burnout

Minority stress

Internalised shame

Attachment difficulties

Relationship diversity

Consensual non-monogamy

Life transitions

Sense of self

Self-acceptance

Men's mental health

Emotional regulation

Workplace wellbeing

Meaning and purpose

Personal growth

Fees

£65.00 per session

Additional information

Sessions are held online and last for 50 minutes. My fee is £65 per session.

I offer a free 20-minute introductory call, giving us an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy, answer any questions you may have, and consider whether we feel like a good fit for working together.

Further information

At the heart of my work is the belief that meaningful change happens through awareness, understanding and relationship. Therapy offers a unique space to slow down, reflect, and become more curious about yourself, your experiences, and the patterns that may be shaping your life.

I see therapy as a collaborative process rather than something that is done to you. Together we can explore what feels difficult, stuck, or unresolved, while also paying attention to your strengths, values, and capacity for growth. Sometimes this may involve exploring past experiences and relationships; at other times we may focus on what is happening in the present and how you would like things to be different.

My aim is to create a space where you feel able to bring all parts of yourself without judgement. I will meet you with warmth, honesty and curiosity, supporting you to develop greater self-awareness, deepen your understanding of yourself and others, and move towards the changes that feel meaningful for you.

72 Tottenham Court Road, London, Greater London, W1T

Birmingham, West Midlands, B29

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)

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

Additional languages

Maltese