Phil Haigh

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MBACP Counsellor – Leeds City Centre

About me

Does some of this feel familiar?

  • Feeling drained and exhausted, even while keeping it all together on the outside
  • Replaying conversations in your head, questioning whether you said the right thing or revealed too much
  • Avoiding conflict to prevent upsetting others, and gradually abandoning what you really want
  • Saying yes when you want to say no, then feeling guilty, resentful or frustrated afterwards
  • Wanting deeper connection, but holding yourself back for fear of being judged or getting something wrong

If you’re experiencing this, it can feel:

  • Confusing, heavy, or like your mind never switches off
  • Lonely or isolating, even when life looks fine on the outside
  • Like you are constantly holding yourself together for others while forgetting yourself

You don't have to keep managing this alone. Having a space where you can slow down and talk things through can help you make sense of what's going on and start to feel like yourself again.

How I work

When we meet, we take things at a pace that feels manageable for you. I will help you notice what’s happening in your thoughts, feelings, and relationships, and we explore what might be going on underneath.

The focus is on helping you feel calmer, clearer, and more in touch with what you need, so you can respond to yourself and others with more confidence. You’re always in control of how many sessions we have, and we check in together to make sure it’s feeling useful.

I also support people navigating romantic relationships or experiences where you may feel unsafe, unsure, or like you're making yourself small. Together we'll explore understanding what drives this and find ways to be with yourself and others that feel safer and more genuine.

With over 15 years of experience, I offer a consistent space to explore what’s going on and how it shows up in your life.

You’re welcome to book a free 15-minute introductory call if you’d like to get a sense of whether I’m the right fit.

If you prefer to email and don’t receive a reply within 24–48 hours, please check your spam/junk folder. Alternatively, you can also book a phone call directly via the booking option on this page.

Training, qualifications & experience

I’m a BACP-registered counsellor based in Leeds, and I also offer sessions online. Over the years, I’ve worked with adults navigating anxiety, self-doubt, burnout, trauma, emotional neglect, relationship difficulties, and major life events amongst others.

Many of the people I work with are managing busy lives, high expectations, or finding themselves putting others first. They may feel drained, unsure what they want, or anxious and unsettled in their relationships. 

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

Other areas I work with:

Shame and Guilt
You might carry a sense that something about you is not quite enough, or a feeling that you’ve done something wrong or bad, even if you know that isn’t true. This can feel like a quiet, ongoing pressure, even if it’s hard to put into words.

Alongside this, there may be a strong sense of guilt, especially when you consider your own needs or when others are upset or struggling. You might find yourself taking responsibility for how others feel, or putting your own needs to one side to avoid conflict or disapproval.

Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, like your mind won’t switch off or your body is stuck in overdrive. You might notice racing thoughts, tension, or sudden panic. Together, we can uncover what’s driving your anxiety and find ways to feel calmer, more resilient, and grounded in everyday life.

Online Therapy
Therapy can happen wherever you feel most comfortable. Whether that’s with your pet nearby, a cup of tea in hand, or wrapped in a blanket, online sessions let you access support from home. Using secure, end-to-end encrypted video, we can arrange appointments flexibly around your life.

Therapies offered

Photos & videos

Fees

£50.00 - £55.00

Concessions offered for

  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer a free 15 minute phone consultation to see whether working together feels like a good fit for you.

Sessions are 50 minutes and charged at £55. I also offer a limited number of reduced rate spaces for students or trainee therapists. In some cases, where it feels helpful for you, we can look at arranging sessions in advance to support continuity and structure.

You are always in control of how many sessions you choose to have, and we will check in together from time to time about how things are feeling for you.

I’m based in the heart of Leeds City Centre, on The Headrow opposite The Light shopping centre, a short walk from Leeds Train Station. There are several car parks within a few minutes walk.

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Early morning
Morning
Early afternoon
Late afternoon
Evening

Further information

Flexible daytime and evening appointments available online, telephone or in Leeds City Centre in person.

6 Butts Court, Green Dragon Yard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 5JS

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

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

Online platforms

Doxy
Microsoft Teams