Alan Bennett-Law

I work ONLINE ONLY

I am an attentive and empathic listener, with counselling experience extending over more than twenty-six years.

In addition to my core counselling qualifications, I also work as a supervisor of other practitioners and as a counselling trainer. I have a Certificate in Education and have taught on the introduction to Counselling, Certificate in Counselling and Diploma in counselling/Psychotherapy courses. I am a Senior Accredited member of the BACP and have been aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework of competencies for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I have a special interest in Solution-focused, Systemic therapy and EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) work, EMDR, Attachment Informed EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy.

I offer online counselling, providing a secure, confidential and flexible space where you can access therapy from your own home or another private setting. Sessions take place via secure video call, removing the need for travel and making therapy more accessible and convenient.

Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as face-to-face therapy. Meta-analyses show no significant differences in outcomes between online and in-person CBT for depression and anxiety, with both approaches producing comparable clinical improvements (Andersson et al., 2014; Carlbring et al., 2018). This indicates that outcomes are largely shaped by the therapeutic relationship and interventions, rather than delivery format.

Similarly, EMDR has a strong evidence base for trauma-related difficulties, particularly PTSD, and is recommended in clinical guidelines as a first-line treatment alongside trauma-focused CBT. Research consistently shows significant symptom reduction, with emerging evidence suggesting that EMDR delivered online can be effective when carried out within appropriate clinical and safety frameworks.

Online therapy can also support accessibility and continuity, particularly when life circumstances change or where there are barriers such as anxiety, overwhelm, or practical difficulties with travel. Many people also find that being in their own environment helps them feel more at ease and able to engage.

At the start of each session, we agree a focus or “agenda” together so that therapy remains relevant to what feels most important for you that week, while keeping longer-term goals in mind.

Where helpful, we may also use grounding strategies early in therapy to support emotional regulation between sessions.

I offer a warm, supportive and collaborative space where you can explore what brings you to counselling at your own pace. My aim is to help you feel safe enough to talk, think and make sense of things without pressure, judgement or expectation.

I work flexibly and tailor therapy to each person, rather than using a fixed or one-size-fits-all approach. Some people benefit from structure, others from open exploration, and many from a mix of both. We can adjust this over time and work at a pace that feels manageable for you, especially if things feel overwhelming or hard to put into words.

A key part of my practice is working with neurodivergent people, including those with ADHD, autism and dyslexia. I understand that people process and communicate in different ways, and I adapt therapy accordingly. I also bring lived experience of ADHD, which supports my understanding of challenges such as focus, organisation, emotional regulation and feeling different, as well as recognising strengths like creativity, insight and alternative ways of thinking.

I have experience across NHS services, forensic settings, schools, addiction and eating disorder services, and private practice. This includes working with trauma, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, substance use, relationship difficulties and complex presentations. I am also experienced in working with higher levels of risk, and we would always address safety collaboratively if needed.

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and also draw on attachment-focused and compassion-focused approaches. This means we may work on understanding experiences, reducing distress, building coping strategies, or processing trauma when you feel ready.

Above all, I aim to offer a space where you feel heard, respected and not judged. Many people come to therapy feeling stuck or unsure where to begin. We start there and work together in a way that feels steady, safe and meaningful for you.

I offer a warm, supportive and collaborative space where you can talk through what brings you to therapy at your own pace. My aim is to help you feel heard, understood and accepted, without judgement or pressure. I understand that starting therapy can feel difficult, especially when you feel overwhelmed, anxious or unsure where to begin.

I work flexibly and tailor therapy to your needs rather than using a fixed approach. Some people prefer structure and focus, others need space to talk freely, and many benefit from a mix of both. 

A key part of my practice is working with neurodivergent individuals, including those with ADHD, autism and dyslexia. I understand that people process and experience the world differently, and I adapt therapy to suit your communication style, pace and needs. I also bring lived experience of ADHD, which supports my understanding of focus, emotional regulation, organisation, and feeling different or misunderstood, as well as strengths such as creativity and divergent thinking.

I have extensive experience across NHS services, private practice, forensic settings, education, and specialist services including addiction, eating disorders and trauma. This includes supporting people with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, substance use and complex experiences. I am also experienced in working with higher-risk situations, which we would always consider collaboratively and safely.

My approach is integrative and trauma-informed. I am an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and also draw on attachment-focused and compassion-focused approaches. This allows us to work on understanding your experiences, reducing distress, and processing difficult memories when and if you feel ready.

Therapy is a collaborative process, and I see you as the expert in your own life. My role is to support you in making sense of things and moving towards change in a way that feels right for you.

It is completely normal to feel nervous in a first session. Many people use this time to get a sense of whether the space feels right for them. My aim is to offer a steady, respectful and non-judgemental space where we can begin working together in a way that feels safe, collaborative and supportive. 

In your first online counselling session, we will meet via a secure video call (Zoom). Before the session, I will email you confirmation details, including your appointment time and link.

At the beginning of the session, we will also check that you are comfortable and able to speak freely in a private and safe space where you cannot be overheard.

The first session is primarily about getting to know you, what has brought you to therapy, and what you would like support with. There is no expectation to share everything at once, and you can go at a pace that feels right for you.

We will also hopefully begin to explore how you would like to work in therapy and your preferences, including what feels helpful or unhelpful for you in previous experiences of support. This helps us shape the work together in a way that suits you as an individual.

Where appropriate, we will also aim to leave the first session with some grounding or stabilising strategies that you can use between sessions to support emotional regulation and wellbeing.

In each session I will invite you to set an agenda so we can focus on what feels most important to you that week. This helps ensure we make best use of our time together, while still holding in mind the broader goals you came to therapy for. 

I am an attentive and empathic listener, with counselling experience extending over more than twenty-six years.

In addition to my core counselling qualifications, I also work as a supervisor of other practitioners and as a counselling trainer. I have a Certificate in Education and have taught on the introduction to Counselling, Certificate in Counselling and Diploma in counselling/Psychotherapy courses. I am a Senior Accredited member of the BACP and have been aligned to column C of the SCoPEd framework of competencies for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I have a special interest in Solution-focused, Systemic therapy and EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) work, EMDR, Attachment Informed EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion-Focused Therapy.