Alison Sharman

*** Temporary closure of practice from May 2025 until March 2026. Please enquire about availability from January 2026. ***

Sometimes one of the bravest steps is to seek help. Many people find it freeing to speak with a trained, impartial professional who can help them make sense of their thoughts and emotions, and understand themselves better.

Counselling can be particularly helpful to process painful feelings and events, and to work towards positive change in your life. Talking things through can help bring clarity, and makes decision-making more straightforward.

My aim is to offer a warm and open-minded space where you can focus fully on yourself. I adapt my approach from session to session — sometimes more gently supportive, sometimes more challenging, depending on what you feel you need.

In our work together, you’ll set the pace and choose what you want to explore. This may include specific issues such as depression, anxiety, self-harm, OCD, and addictions. I could help you navigate emotional responses around loss, beliefs and identity, emerging from a life transition or difficult situation.

Together, we can find ways for you to live the life you want to be living. We can identify the broader patterns and emotional obstacles that affect you, and look at how things could be different for you. This might involve discovering what you actually want, rather than what you think you should want from life or relationships. This could help you reconnect with aspects of yourself that have been suppressed.

I hold a Diploma in Humanistic Counselling from the Bath Centre for Psychotherapy and Counselling (BCPC) and am registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

My background includes supporting adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems, and extensive work with people affected by trauma, abuse, PTSD, domestic violence, bereavement, loss, relationship difficulties, and body-related concerns.

I am LGBTQ+ allied and welcome clients wanting to explore sexuality or gender. Having lived in several countries, I bring a sensitivity to cultural difference. I also support people integrating difficult experiences with mind-altering substances.

I am French-British, so can work in French if this is your preference. Please see the 'Français' section of my website for information in French.

An initial consultation lasts 50 minutes and costs £55. It gives you a chance to see whether we’re a good fit, and allows me to understand what you’d like from therapy. We’ll discuss your situation, your background, and anything relevant to the work — and you’re welcome to ask me any questions about how I practise.

I work face-to-face, or on Microsoft Teams, or on the phone.

You can opt for one of these for your weekly sessions, or pick and choose depending on your needs that particular week.