Alan Bell

I currently have some availability for new clients. My private practice days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and I can offer some flexibility around appointment times.

Sessions are usually weekly and at the same time each week, although we can discuss what works best for you. I offer both face-to-face sessions from my therapy room on the edge of Bradford on Avon and online sessions via Google Meet.

If you are considering counselling, please email me in the first instance. We can arrange a free initial meeting to talk about what you are looking for and whether I might be the right counsellor for you.

I will usually reply the same day, although this may sometimes take a little longer. If you prefer to phone and I am unable to answer, please leave a voicemail and I will get back to you.

I will update this section if my availability changes.

Taking the first step towards counselling can feel daunting, and finding the right person to work with matters. I offer a free initial meeting so we can talk about what you are looking for and whether I might be the right counsellor for you.

I am a BACP registered counsellor offering person-centred counselling for adults. My approach is warm, accepting and non-judgemental. I believe you are the expert in your own life, and my role is to listen, help you explore what is happening for you, and support you in finding your own way forward.

People come to counselling for many different reasons. You may be experiencing anxiety, depression, anger, grief or loss, relationship difficulties, stress, low self-esteem, ADHD, or the effects of difficult or painful experiences. Sometimes you may simply feel stuck, overwhelmed or that something in your life is not quite right.

I have lived experience of ADHD, having been diagnosed as an adult. This gives me a personal perspective, but I do not describe myself as an ADHD specialist. Every person's experience is different, and I approach each client with openness and without assumptions.

The list below in the section What I can help with? isn't exhaustive, and I recognise that people don't always fit neatly into categories. If what you're experiencing isn't listed, please feel free to get in touch anyway and we can talk about whether I might be able to help.

I offer both face-to-face counselling from my therapy room on the edge of Bradford on Avon and online sessions via Google Meet. Sessions are £55 for 60 minutes, with a limited number of concessions available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. You do not need to know exactly what you need from counselling before making contact.

Person-centred counselling is at the heart of my work. I believe that, given the right conditions, people have the capacity to understand themselves, grow and make changes in their lives.

You are the expert in your own life. My role is not to diagnose you, tell you what to do or provide ready-made solutions, but to offer a relationship based on empathy, acceptance, honesty and respect. You remain in control of what we explore and the pace at which we work.

I aim to provide a space where you can speak openly without feeling judged or pressured. You do not need to arrive knowing exactly what you want to talk about. We can start wherever feels right for you and explore what is happening in a way that feels manageable.

Sometimes we may look at feelings, relationships, patterns of behaviour or experiences from the past that still affect you. There may also be times when I gently challenge something, ask a question you had not considered, or offer an observation about what I am noticing. I will always do this respectfully and leave you free to decide what feels right for you.

Although person-centred counselling is the foundation of my work, I may draw on ideas, techniques and practical exercises from other therapeutic approaches when they seem helpful. These are not used as a fixed programme. What we do is shaped around you and what feels useful at the time.

My aim is to work alongside you in a way that helps you feel heard, understood and better able to make sense of your experiences.

I offer a free initial meeting, usually lasting around 30 to 45 minutes. This gives us both an opportunity to talk about what you are looking for and to see whether we feel comfortable working together.

You can tell me a little about what has brought you to counselling, including any difficulties, concerns or questions you are carrying. You do not need to tell your whole story straight away. We can take the conversation at a pace that feels manageable for you.

I will also explain more about how I work and answer any questions you may have, so you can get a sense of what counselling with me might be like.

There is no obligation to continue after the initial meeting. Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with is important, and I encourage you to choose the person who feels right for you.

If we decide to work together, we can discuss how you would like your counselling to be structured. Some people prefer to work towards a particular goal over an agreed number of sessions, such as six or ten. Others prefer open-ended counselling without setting an end date. We can review this as the work progresses.