About me
Hello, and thank you for visiting my profile.
I’m Leon Francis, a BACP Registered Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counsellor offering counselling in Tynemouth, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne and online across the UK.
I provide a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can explore whatever is troubling you at your own pace. Many of the people I work with come to therapy feeling overwhelmed, stuck, disconnected or exhausted from carrying difficult thoughts and feelings alone. My role is not to tell you what to do, but to work alongside you in developing greater understanding, self-awareness and confidence in yourself.
My approach is human-centred, compassion-focused and trauma-informed. I believe every person has a unique life story shaped by their relationships, experiences, culture and environment. Rather than seeing people as a collection of symptoms or diagnoses, I aim to understand the individual behind the difficulty and tailor therapy to their specific needs.
Alongside private practice, I work as a Suicide Prevention Therapist and have previously worked within Adult Safeguarding and Substance Misuse Services. These experiences have given me extensive experience supporting people through some of the most challenging periods of their lives, including depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, grief, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.
I have a particular interest in supporting:
• Men’s mental health
• Depression and anxiety
• ADHD and autism
• Low self-esteem and confidence
• Relationship and attachment difficulties
• Grief and bereavement
• Trauma and adverse life experiences
• Addiction and recovery
• Identity, belonging and life transitions
• Suicidal thoughts and emotional distress
I also have significant experience working with neurodivergent clients, including people with ADHD and autism. This includes supporting individuals with emotional regulation, masking, burnout, self-esteem, relationships, identity, workplace challenges and navigating a world that can often feel overwhelming or misunderstood.
While I have a particular interest in men’s mental health, I work with adults of all genders and backgrounds. Many clients describe me as warm, approachable, thoughtful and easy to talk to. My aim is to create a therapeutic relationship where you feel genuinely heard, understood and accepted, while also being supported to make meaningful changes in your life.
As a Black British therapist and member of BAATN (The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network), I recognise that identity, culture, race, masculinity and belonging can shape how we experience ourselves and the world around us. These aspects of identity are welcome within the therapy space whenever they are relevant to you.
I offer a free 20–30 minute telephone or Zoom consultation, giving us an opportunity to discuss what brings you to therapy and whether I feel like the right fit for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
My professional experience spans private practice, suicide prevention, adult safeguarding and substance misuse services.
Alongside my private practice, I currently work as a Suicide Prevention Therapist supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts and significant emotional distress. I have also worked within Adult Safeguarding and Substance Misuse Services, supporting individuals facing complex life challenges, trauma, addiction, relationship difficulties and mental health concerns.
I completed a three-year Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling and undertook placements within NHS GP surgeries, where I worked with clients from a wide range of backgrounds and presenting issues.
I have particular experience supporting people with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, ADHD, autism, addiction, relationship difficulties and suicidal thoughts. I work with adults of all backgrounds and aim to provide a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where clients feel genuinely heard, understood and supported.
Qualifications:
• Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling (Level 6)
• BACP Registered Member
• BAATN Member (Black, African and Asian Therapy Network)
Additional Qualifications:
• Postgraduate Degree (MA) Museology – Newcastle University
• Undergraduate Degree (BA Hons) Media Production – University of Bedfordshire
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
Other areas of counselling I deal with
• Men’s Mental Health
• Suicide Prevention
• Neurodiversity (ADHD & Autism)
• Emotional Regulation
• Masking & Autistic Burnout
• Identity, Culture & Belonging
• Race & Identity
• Workplace Stress & Burnout
• Walk & Talk Therapy
• Substance Misuse Recovery
• Shame & Self-Criticism
• Masculinity & Emotional Expression
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£70.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Individual counselling sessions are £70 for 50 minutes, whether online or in person.
I offer a free 20–30 minute initial consultation by telephone or Zoom, providing an opportunity for us to discuss what has brought you to counselling and whether I am the right therapist for you.
Reduced-fee spaces may occasionally be available for students, those receiving Universal Credit, or individuals experiencing financial hardship. Please enquire for current availability.
Sessions are available in person in Tynemouth and Gosforth, online throughout the UK, and through Walk & Talk therapy in North Tyneside and Newcastle upon Tyne.
When I work
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Further information
I work online, on the telephone and in-person from counselling rooms in Newcastle City Centre, Gosforth and North Shields all are fully accessible and with parking.
My in-person rooms are friendly, warm and bright, but private spaces.
My core training is integrative and takes in elements of person centred, psychoanalytic, humanistic, cognitive and transpersonal models. I use these approaches to work out what works best for you and to achieve the outcomes that you desire.
- All sessions are fully confidential.
- I am a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) ethical bodies.
- I hold a current enhanced DBS
- I am registered with the ICO
- I am fully insured
