Directory entry

Anna Koolen, BACP

Credentials: BACP
Experience: 5 years
Practising in: United Kingdom
Languages: English
Sessions: Online only
Client ages: Adults, 18 and over

Works with Stress, Anxiety Addictions Grief Self esteem Coping with life changes

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Anna Koolen is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom with five years of professional experience. She focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, addiction and major life changes. She invites clients to bring their own knowledge about their lives and aims to work alongside them rather than tell them what to do.

Her approach is down-to-earth and respectful. She helps people talk through painful experiences like grief, trauma and relationship strain.

Background and approach

Practical conversation can focus on day-to-day coping, improving self-esteem, and finding direction amid a midlife crisis or career uncertainty. Anna uses a mix of talking approaches to suit each person's needs. That can mean listening deeply and reflecting what matters most, exploring patterns from the past that still affect the present, or encouraging motivation to change habits around substance use.

She layers these approaches to match what a person most needs in the moment. Sessions aim to be collaborative and paced to the client. Topics often covered include ADHD, feelings of emptiness, codependency, communication problems, and multicultural concerns.

She also supports people dealing with divorce, blended family tensions, guilt and isolation. Anna works in English and accepts international clients. She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to give different ways to connect.

Starting is straightforward: choose Start Therapy, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a time that suits you.

Therapies that translate well online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person’s own experience. The counsellor listens closely, reflects what matters and helps the client find their own solutions. This approach often helps with anxiety, low self-esteem and difficulties making choices.

Motivational Interviewing is about building a person’s drive to change. The counsellor asks open questions and helps the client weigh what matters, which can be useful for addictions and making life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will discuss goals and preferences, then try ways of working that fit those aims. Clients and the counsellor review progress and adjust methods as needed in a collaborative way.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people use facial cues and longer conversation time. Phone sessions work when bandwidth is low or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging suit shorter check-ins, ongoing reflection between sessions and people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and different time zones.

What concerns does Anna help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions and coping with life changes, plus related issues like grief, trauma and relationship problems.

What is her general counselling style?

Her style is collaborative and respectful, focusing on listening, exploration and practical steps that fit a person’s life and goals.

How much experience does she have?

She has five years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and behavioural concerns.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is affiliated with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practices from the United Kingdom.

Which languages and international options are available?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are offered?

Sessions are available as video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging.

How does payment and cost work?

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

How do I begin therapy with her?

Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Most often

Also listed

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 5 years
Registered with: BACP
Languages: English

Contacting Anna

Anna 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.

Anna Koolen, BACP

Background and approach

Therapies that translate well online

Areas of focus

What this therapist works with

Others working with stress, anxiety