Alethea Cooper

Whatever the difficulties you are facing, reading this means you have decided to seek support, and beginning that process may by itself bring some relief. However, seeking help and support can feel intimidating, and you may come across an array of terms that are perhaps unfamiliar. Along with counselling and therapy, different therapy ‘styles or approaches’ are offered. Being an integrative therapist means that I can draw on different therapeutic approaches according to your needs. In explaining what I can offer you, I hope along the way that I can demystify some of the process for you. I offer an initial free 30 minute Zoom or telephone consultation where we can explore what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to achieve from therapy. I will describe how I work, the difference between counselling and therapy, the different therapy types I offer, including what may work best for you and how we can reach any goals you may have or work towards changes you would like to make; Of course, I will answer any questions you have. Most importantly, we can decide if we may be a good ‘fit’ for you to move forward with me. I very much hope this will be the case, but, if not, I will do my best to signpost you towards help that may better suit you. I work face-to-face in comfortable therapy rooms in Wimbledon and Kingston, South West London. I also work on-line using various platforms. Regardless of the approach that we will use, however, research has shown that the client-therapist relationship is the key to successful therapy. My non-judgmental, honest, warm approach will help us build a collaborative, trusting relationship. The pace of therapy will depend on how safe and comfortable you feel. It can take time to feel ready to face and share some of the issues that have brought you to therapy, but a supportive, holding, confidential space will be the bedrock of our therapeutic work together. I have spent the last two years volunteering in a women’s centre providing long term therapy, and working at depth has depended on my strong client-therapist relationships. I will regularly check-in that you are happy with our work together, talking through progress and perhaps any changes in your circumstances or your needs and desired goals.

I work with adults of all ages; Over the last two years I have volunteered as a therapist in a local women’s centre working with women of all ages. Prior to my training as an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist, I worked in an NHS clinical setting for 15 years coordinating medical research and training as a health psychologist. I explored with patients, both men and women, the psychological impact of recovery from chronic illness such as coronary heart disease. I also explored how men and women cope with newly diagnosed medical conditions such as different cancer types, their unique treatment experiences, and how these experiences impacted their lives and return to work; Being a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP). means I have met the recommended quality standards as a professional counsellor/psychotherapist and I work to high ethical standards according to the BACP Ethical Framework. I am a Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) and Associate Fellow (AFBPsS) of the British Psychological Society I am a Health Psychologist (MSc, PhD) and Member of the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (Level: Merit) I have professional liability insurance. I am DBS checked (no criminal record and approved to work with vulnerable adults). I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which means I abide by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.