Hayley Allen
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
Hello, I am a full-time counsellor passionate about therapy and genuine human experience. I specialise in working with eating disorders, bereavement and complex grief (including issues such as suicide, infertility and baby loss).
I also provide support for individuals dealing with a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, terminal illness, suicidal thoughts, OCD, military family challenges, work-related stress, and other general life issues where you might feel there's nowhere else to turn for exploration or expression.
I also work with and very much welcome neurodivergent individuals.
My goal is to assist you in moving in the direction you desire; I work from my heart to put you first in your therapy and provide a safe and caring environment for you to gently explore, reflect, heal, and grow.
My training and experience enable me to assist you in unravelling the complexities of your situation, helping you to gradually restore your sense of self as a complete and healthy individual.
What is your next step?
Seeking therapy is courageous. I understand that seeking therapy may feel daunting. You will find me welcoming, approachable, and compassionate. If you’re curious about whether we might be a good match, I would love to chat with you. I offer a short, casual phone call at no cost to you, where I can address any questions you might have, or please email me.
I work face-to-face with clients from comfortable, accessible rooms in Exeter. I also offer online, telephone therapy and local walk-and-talk sessions, and you can choose to have sessions either weekly or fortnightly.
Clients often arrive in therapy feeling trapped and flooded with emotions. I understand that you may feel that you're barely holding it together. Speaking openly and confidentially with someone who is not involved in your life or relationships can be beneficial. With unbiased support, you can express yourself and reflect on your beliefs and choices, helping you to clarify your thoughts and feelings. This process can make it easier to understand what you’re experiencing. After our sessions, clients frequently leave feeling relieved with a renewed sense of self.
Your counselling experience will be unique, helping you to embrace what cannot be altered, deepen your understanding of your life, or find your way through challenging times.
Whether you want to work on understanding yourself and your relationships better or you have a clear focus on where you need support, I can help you progress through your challenges. You will enter a safe environment enabling you to express as much or as little as you wish, at your own pace.
Therapy is a unique journey, and my approach is rooted in humanistic values, meaning that you are the centre of our work together. I prioritise your total well-being by taking into account your past experiences, current situation, and future aspirations to gain a deeper insight into your emotional needs.
I practice as an Integrative Counsellor. This approach enables me to draw from many counselling methods and theories with flexibility that helps me adapt to your needs, work at a comfortable pace, and discover a unique journey that resonates with you. In our sessions, we can incorporate various creative techniques alongside talking therapy to help you process and articulate your emotions.
I believe that with the right support, anyone can transform their perspective on their situation, discovering acceptance, clarity, and optimism for the future.
My journey to counselling has been enriched by diverse experiences, including working within the charity sector with learning-disabled and homeless adults, working for the NHS and being a military wife.
Eating disorders can present themselves in various forms and behaviours. I offer a safe space for you to talk about your feelings and challenges related to food and body image. Together we can gently work on developing coping strategies and building a healthier relationship with food. My goal is to help you feel empowered and supported as you navigate your journey towards recovery.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP Accredited), a Post Qualifying Diploma in Eating Disorders (NCS Accredited) and a Diploma in Creative Arts Therapies (NCS Accredited).
I also have training and experience in supporting clients who are experiencing complex grief and/or traumatic loss and I volunteer one day per week at the Bereavement Counselling Service in Plympton.
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
Additional information
Saturdays are £60 per session.
Further information
I believe therapy is a collaboration, meeting with each person as a whole, encompassing your emotions, thoughts, beliefs, family dynamics, and life circumstances. If you're facing a particular challenge or looking to enhance your self-awareness and relationships, I'm here to help you create positive, long-lasting changes for a healthier and happier life.
I work as an integrative counsellor, which means I carefully utilise different methods of therapy to assist you depending on and adapting to your individual needs. I am also trained to work creatively, helping you to explore and externalise the complexities of life. We can collaborate to create a structure for our sessions or work together in exploration.
Your personal needs come first, and your well-being is my priority. I approach our sessions with empathy and understanding. Through our work together I will help you towards discovering your own insights in a supportive and unbiased manner to gain a deeper understanding of your emotions and a clearer direction for your future.
