Liam Guilfoyle

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" - Søren Kierkegaard.

I am a fully qualified integrative psychotherapist and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), based in Liverpool (L8), offering in-person counselling and online therapy across the UK. I work with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, bereavement, addiction and questions around identity and life direction.

Alongside this range of therapeutic work, I have a developing specialism in supporting adults who have experienced the loss of a parent during childhood, adolescence, their teenage years or early adulthood. I have a particular interest in parental bereavement and the ways losing a mother or father at a young age can continue to shape us into adulthood, sometimes in ways we may not fully recognise until much later in life. This is an area I have explored through both my professional work and personal experience, alongside continued learning around grief, attachment, identity and the longer-term impact of loss. I work with people experiencing both recent bereavement and longstanding grief, including those who find that the loss of a parent continues to affect their relationships, emotional wellbeing, sense of self or ability to navigate later stages of life. 

Whether you are coming to therapy because of parental loss, or are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationships, self-esteem or other difficulties, I aim to offer a warm, non-judgemental space where you can feel heard, understood and able to make sense of what you are experiencing.

If you are new to counselling, then the first thing I want to say about it is that it can genuinely benefit many different types of people, and you do not need to be in crisis to reach out. Emotional challenges can arise for anyone, regardless of background or upbringing, and I know from my own initial encounters that stepping into therapy can feel daunting. My hope is to make this process as calm and reassuring as possible, whether you decide to work with me, or explore working with other therapists. I am aware that I cannot be all things to all people, so hopefully this brief insight into counselling can help you decide how to to proceed with your therapeutic journey.

What is counselling?

The dictionary defines counselling as;

"the provision of professional assistance and guidance in resolving personal or psychological problems."

But what does this psychobabble mean in simpler terms?

Just like we might go to the gym and be assisted by a personal trainer to better understand how to look after our physical health, we might similarly go to counselling and be assisted by a therapist to better understand how to look after our mental health.

We all, from time to time, require a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, or a person who we can trust with our innermost fears, anxieties, insecurities, or worries (to name but a few). The complexities of managing to map out our busy minds, whilst juggling the pressures of the modern world can feel overwhelming, and counselling can help bridge the gap between despair and stagnation, to clarity and contentment.

Unfortunately, encountering psychological struggles are part of the human experience, as painful as that reality may be to accept sometimes. Buddhism tells us that suffering is an unavoidable truth of our existence, but being entrenched in your suffering long-term is avoidable; Counselling can provide support when we (at one point or other in our lives), inevitably become stuck in our suffering and require assistance to move forwards. 

To summarise, the desired outcome of therapy is to give you a safe and trusted space to let your brain have enough breathing room, in order for you to make sense of what is currently preventing your mental health from operating at an optimum level.

Who am I and how can I personally help?

I am an approachable and friendly psychotherapist, with a dual background of education in English Literature. The relevance of this field of study (English Literature) to psychotherapy, lies in my belief that reading/studying literature increases the ability of being able to walk around in someone else's shoes and empathise with their situation, their life, and their problems, from their perspective. In relation to what it means for you in counselling, I want to understand your life, through your experiences, and walk alongside you as we work out how to best advance through whatever is hindering your peace. 

I have several years of experience working professionally as an integrative psychotherapist, and currently work in a holistic rehabilitation centre where we use a multitude of therapeutic techniques and modalities, as well as providing 1-1 therapy and group therapy for veterans. Additionally, I volunteered for several years with Age UK and the Samaritans on both the helplines, and in-person counselling, providing mental health support face to face at music festivals and at our respective counselling suites. This amalgamation of working environments means I have dealt with a wide-range of issues ranging from bereavement, addiction, relationship struggles, identity issues, low self-esteem, anxiety, adverse childhood experiences, suicidal ideation, intrusive thoughts, depression, family issues, trauma and many more.

As well as this I have numerous years experience working within the health and social care sector, both as a care-worker, and as a therapeutic co-ordinator. The skills acquired here allowed me to further cultivate my already ingrained desire to help others with dignity, respect and patience.

I also have much first-hand experience with overcoming adversity, which I am proud to have learnt from and feel the knowledge garnered in the process has benefitted me and by proxy, has benefitted other people along the way. I am by no means the finished product, nor will I ever be, but what professional and personal insights/skills I do have, I hope to utilise in supporting you on your journey of self-discovery. 

I spent much of my life travelling the world and working as a teacher, where I had the privilege to observe, learn, connect, and generally embed myself within the technicoloured varieties of life; an experience which I feel has greatly enhanced my inclusivity of cultures, customs, religions, ethnicities, sexualities and generally increased my self-awareness and unwavering embracement of diversity. During my periods of living/working/travelling abroad, I spent a significant amount of time studying philosophy, spirituality, mindfulness and meditation - the array of techniques I picked up along the way have given me a robust emotional tool-kit to face psychological difficulties with a stoic sense of calming quietude; something I instil within my therapeutic approach. 

I am told I have always been the kind of person who people gravitated to with their internal issues due to my attentiveness, openness, and non-judgemental approachability. I feel truly honoured to be trusted in holding space for people to talk, be heard, and more importantly; to be understood. It is a remarkably meaningful vocation for me to be lucky enough to do, and I sincerely mean that.

How would counselling sessions with me look?

I have always taken the client-led approach in counselling. By this, I mean that exploration of your specific issues would always be done at a pace you are comfortable with, and I would always aspire to meet you where you are at; after all, we can only meet people at the depth in which they have first met themselves.

Counselling with myself would always be collaborative and relational. If free-flowing talking therapy works best for you, then I will meet you there. If you prefer guidance and prompts, be that psycho-education and/or structured work, I can meet you there too. I have a range of techniques to support what you hope to get from therapy, and I am always mindful of how both the therapeutic relationship and the setting can shape your experience.

In-person sessions take place within my own dedicated therapy room in the L8 area of Liverpool. The space has been thoughtfully designed to feel calm, private, and grounding, with careful attention given to lighting, textures, furnishings, and artwork. Every element has been chosen with comfort and safety in mind, so you can arrive, settle, and feel supported by the environment as well as the therapeutic relationship. Many clients find the space helps them slow down, feel at ease, and speak more freely (if you would like to view the room, please see attached photos).

If in-person sessions are not for you, we can also conduct therapy sessions through an online video call, or telephone call; whichever you would prefer.

I offer a free 20 minute introductory call, which gives all potential clients the opportunity to meet with me and get a sense of whether I would be the right therapist for them.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information about myself or how I work as a therapist.

I offer a block of 6 sessions for £400 when paid in advance, or £70 per session if you prefer to pay as you go.

I also offer concession rates for students, care workers, and trainee counsellors. Concession fees are £300 for a block of 6 sessions when paid in advance, or £55 per session if paying as you go.

Testimonials:

"Liam was an excellent Counsellor who has helped me a great deal. I’m feeling much better after sessions with him." - MH, 2024.

"Thank you for the last 12 weeks. You're a book of knowledge and have supported me in a huge way. I have a lot of admiration for the way in which you coach. Diamond of a man." - AL, 2024.

“I first started sessions with Liam during possibly the lowest time of my life! It’s been a pleasure to work with him to help me grow back into now, after 12 weeks, one of the strongest versions of myself. Unlocking hidden things about my mind I never ever knew!” - AT, 2026.

"I had been to therapy for a few years before I started my sessions with Liam. I was feeling a little stuck with problems from the past and present when Liam provided the right balance of compassion and soft challenges; leading to me seeing and feeling a new perspective on them. Going to these sessions felt like an hour in my week where I could breath and see things clearly.

As a trainee therapist, it was incredibly valuable to learn about myself and bring to awareness areas I was yet to explore through my sessions with Liam. I could speak with Liam about areas of my training that I was finding difficult without judgement or being lectured about what I should or shouldn't do. This was helpful for reaching my own conclusions about what my future practice would look like."  - PK, 2026.

“Great therapist. Really easy to talk to and has genuinely helped me understand myself better. Highly recommend.” - AC, 2026