Alison Penfold

Having established my practice in London over the last ten years, I am now practising in Central Bath.

I believe the most vital ingredient in successful therapy, is the relationship between therapist and client.

Therapy can support you in gaining new perspectives, developing a richer awareness of yourself and understanding the way that you are in relationships with others. This enables choices which enhance your life. The most important aspect of therapy, can be the 'space' in which you can talk about painful feelings and feel supported in recognising difficulties which you  have unsuccessfully been trying to ignore for some time.

From a performing arts background, I worked for many years as a classical singer. Drawing on my combined experience, I  support and coach performers. I am a Registered Therapist for the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).  My understanding and experience in this area enables me to work effectively with clients experiencing other performance related issues, at work, in educational environments and in competitive sporting situations.

I have an Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory, and a BA Hons Degree in Integrative Counselling.  I have been awarded Accredited Member Status with the BACP.

To support my work with couples, I have obtained a certificate from COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy) and have attended brief CPD training at the Tavistock Institute for Couples Therapy.

I provide additional support for clients who work the Twelve Steps of Addicts Anonymous and for family members of both recovering addicts and those who have not yet found recovery.  I have experience of working with all types of Addiction and Eating Disorder. 

Our first session provides an opportunity for information gathering.  We can discuss the help you feel you need and how I might best support you on your journey of self understanding, compassion, awareness (of the process of others close to you and the world around us) and ultimately change. Therapy can help you achieve balance and hope in your life, amidst the challenging times in which we now live:-

COVID 19

We live in unprecedented times. The restrictions imposed on us all to manage the spread of Covid19 have had a huge impact on society and ourselves as individuals.

Many of us are anxious about job security and the wider impact of continued lockdown on the economy. There is also a collective uncertainty about the future which is affecting our relationships and our emotional well being. Many of us are isolated, finding it hard to manage our mental health and can’t access face to face therapy.

During this period, I aim to offer  greater flexibility in how I deliver Therapy, offering Online, Telephone or Outdoor Sessions to suit you. Dependent upon what is happening right now, we might still be able to meet indoors and I have taken careful measures to make this as safe as possible. A copy of my safety measures are available prior to a first session.