Abi Spence

You might be someone who has learned to cope with overwhelm on your own- appearing capable on the outside, while feeling panicked and alone underneath. This can show up in different ways:

• struggling in close relationships, despite wanting connection
• wrestling with disquieting emotions around your boarding school experiences
• find yourself caught in painful or complicated sibling dynamics
• be navigating the emotional strain of fertility challenges, motherhood or IVF

These experiences can be difficult to talk about, especially when others don’t fully understand, or when you feel you “should” be coping.

Therapy offers a space to slow things down, gain clarity, and begin to relate to yourself and others differently.

I have particular experience working with:

Fertility and reproductive experiences

• Fertility treatment (including IVF)
• Miscarriage and pregnancy loss
• Involuntary childlessness
• The emotional impact of the fourth trimester, postnatal depression (PPD) and matrescence

Early environments and family dynamics

• Boarding school childhoods and their long-term impact
• Sibling relationships and complex family dynamics
• Childhood trauma, including neglect, sexual and physical abuse

Identity and relationships

• GSRD (Gender, Sexuality and Relationship Diversity)
• LGBTQIA+ experiences

I am an integrative psychotherapist working with adults (21+) on a one-to-one basis.

My approach draws on person-centred, relational and psychodynamic thinking. This means we pay attention not only to your past experiences, but also to what’s happening in the present moment—between us and in your wider life.

Before training as a psychotherapist, I worked in marketing and PR. I understand the pressures of high-performing environments—the expectation to hold things together, to excel, and to make it all look effortless. ​

You are the expert on your own experience. My role is to work alongside you in understanding patterns, processing difficult emotions, and finding a way forward that feels more manageable and authentic.

I offer a free 25-minute introductory session so you can get a sense of whether working together feels right.

Training & Professional Memberships

I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited clinical psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), and adhere to their ethical frameworks.

I trained at The Minster Centre, one of Europe’s leading integrative psychotherapy training institutions, and hold an MA, Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy (with Middlesex University).

I am a member of British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA), The Relational School and I am also a media volunteer for Fertility Network UK.

Practice Information

• In private practice since 2018
• I offer sessions online and in person, including outdoor therapy
• Registered with AXA Health, Vitality and Aviva
• DBS cleared
• In regular clinical supervision and ongoing CPD

I offer a free 25-minute introductory session (online, by phone, or in person). This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and get a sense of whether working together feels right. 

There is no obligation to continue. If you decide to go ahead, we will agree a regular time. Before starting, I will send you further information and a client agreement for you to read through and sign.