Directory entry

Alison Spencer, BACP, NCPS

Credentials: BACP, NCPS
Experience: 3 years
Practising in: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Sessions: Online only
Client ages: Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Depression

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Alison Spencer is a counsellor working in the United Kingdom with three years of professional experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, low self-esteem and depression. Alison aims to make the first step into therapy feel manageable and respectful.

She encourages people to talk about what matters to them without judgement. Alison uses a person-centred way of working that puts the client’s experience at the heart of each session.

Background and approach

She also draws on cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches to help people understand patterns of thought and feeling. These methods are used practically to reduce unhelpful thinking and to explore where emotions and behaviours may come from. Sessions often involve working on day-to-day coping skills, identifying triggers for stress or low mood, and trying small, doable changes between meetings.

Alison also offers hypnotherapy as an additional option to support relaxation and behaviour change when appropriate. She explains choices clearly so people can decide what feels right for them. Alison is used to helping people facing issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, body image concerns, caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, communication problems, control issues, and separation.

She also supports people dealing with guilt, shame, impulsivity, isolation, questions about life purpose, men’s issues and midlife change. Her style is warm and encouraging. She works collaboratively to set goals and adjust plans as people progress.

The emphasis is on steady, realistic steps toward improved wellbeing.

How therapeutic techniques work online

Alison uses person-centred counselling to focus on what matters to the individual. This approach involves listening closely, reflecting what is said, and helping people feel heard so they can explore feelings and decide on next steps. Cognitive behavioural techniques look at unhelpful thoughts and build practical strategies to manage anxiety, low mood and stress. These techniques often involve small exercises to try between sessions to test new ways of thinking and behaving.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The counsellor will collaborate with the client to identify goals, try methods that fit their needs, and adjust the plan as progress is made. This shared process helps people feel involved in shaping their therapy and choosing what feels most useful.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, giving flexibility to fit therapy around work, family and travel. Video is useful for face-to-face interaction and visual cues, phone calls suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited, and chat or messaging can be helpful for ongoing reflection or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to link consistent sessions with daily life and maintain momentum between meetings.

What concerns does Alison commonly help with?

She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, low self-esteem and depression as core areas of focus.

What style of therapy can I expect?

Sessions are person-centred and collaborative, with elements of cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic work used to address thinking patterns and emotional history.

How much professional experience does the counsellor have?

Alison has three years of professional experience working as a counsellor in the United Kingdom.

Which credentials does Alison hold and where is she based?

She is listed with BACP and NCPS and practises in the United Kingdom.

Do sessions take place in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

Which session formats are available?

Work can be arranged by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging depending on preference.

How are costs and payments handled?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

What do I need to do to start therapy?

Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Most often

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Grief

Experience: 3 years
Registered with: BACP, NCPS
Languages: English

Contacting Alison

Alison takes enquiries through BetterHelp. You answer a few questions about what you are looking for, then arrange sessions if it seems like a fit. Browsing costs nothing and you are not committing to anything by reading this page.

Alison Spencer, BACP, NCPS

Background and approach

How therapeutic techniques work online

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Others working with stress, anxiety