Alison Spencer, BACP, NCPS

Alison Spencer is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom. She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and brings three years of professional experience to her practice. Alison aims to create a warm, non-judgemental space where people can speak openly about what is troubling them.

She uses a person-centred approach, combined with cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic ideas, to help people make practical changes. Alison also works with hypnotherapy and draws on it when appropriate to support relaxation and focused change.

Alison helps people manage stress, anxiety, low mood and issues with self-esteem and motivation. She also supports those coping with grief, relationship problems and life-stage changes such as midlife concerns. Carer-related stress and the pressures of supporting others are included among her focus areas.

In sessions she aims to listen first and understand each person’s experience. Conversations look at patterns of thought and behaviour, how past experiences shape current feelings, and small steps clients can try between meetings. The goal is to build coping skills and clearer ways of moving forward.

Alison works collaboratively when setting goals and reviews progress as therapy continues. She explains approaches in plain language and adapts her style to suit each person’s pace and preferences.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Alison uses person-centred counselling to prioritise listening and understanding. This approach focuses on the client's experience and helps build trust, which can make it easier to speak about difficult feelings and goals.

She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and encourages small, practical changes. CBT can be useful for anxiety, low mood and unhelpful thinking patterns.

Psychodynamic ideas are used to notice how past experiences influence present reactions. This can help people see repeating patterns and make different choices. Alison also uses hypnotherapy in some cases to support relaxation and focused change when the person wants that option.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss different methods and agree on what feels most helpful. This is a collaborative process that can change as goals evolve.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the exact formats available before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work and caring responsibilities, reduce travel time and allow meetings from quieter surroundings. Some ways of working online may suit shorter check-ins or sessions without video, while others are better for longer conversation. Confirm options with the therapist and choose what fits your routine and needs.