Chrissy Leyland

I have availability Monday - Thursday including morning, afternoon and evening appointments

As a long-term ethical vegan and a counsellor with particular experience of working with vegans, I understand that your values can be an important part of your identity and emotional wellbeing. I offer a space where you can explore experiences such as ethical distress, vystopia, climate anxiety, activism or animal-rescue burnout, difficulties in relationships with non-vegans, or the challenges of living according to your values in a non-vegan world. However, you do not need to be seeking help specifically about veganism—I'm here to support you with whatever brings you to counselling.

I offer a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can explore what is troubling you and feel genuinely heard and understood. As an integrative counsellor, I draw on different therapeutic approaches and adapt the way I work to your individual needs, rather than expecting you to fit a particular model.

Our work may focus on what you are experiencing in the present, while also exploring past experiences and patterns that may be affecting how you feel today. Together, we can develop practical and healthy ways of coping with distress, understand your emotions and experiences, and identify your strengths and resources.

I work collaboratively, at your pace, and believe that the therapeutic relationship is an important part of the process. I aim to provide a safe environment where you can speak openly without fear of judgement.

Sessions are 50 minutes and normally take place weekly online via Google Meet. We will regularly review our work together and consider what you need from counselling as we go.

I offer compassionate, confidential and non-judgemental online counselling for adults across the UK.

My practice is rooted in the belief that you deserve a space where you can be fully yourself, speak openly and feel genuinely heard. I work with people experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, stress, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties, sexual abuse, intrusive thoughts. bereavement, life changes and feelings of being overwhelmed or stuck.

I have a particular interest in supporting vegans and people whose values around animals, the environment and social justice are an important part of their identity. As a long-term ethical vegan myself, I understand that living according to deeply held values can sometimes bring unique emotional challenges. These might include feelings of isolation or alienation, distress about animal suffering (sometimes described as vystopia), climate anxiety, difficulties navigating relationships with non-vegans, or burnout related to activism or animal rescue.

You don't need to identify with any particular issue or have a specific diagnosis to come to counselling. You may simply feel that something isn't right, or want support to understand yourself better and make meaningful changes.

Sessions take place online via Google Meet, offering flexibility and accessibility wherever you are in the UK. I offer a free initial session so that we can meet, talk about what you're looking for and see whether we feel like a good fit. There is no pressure to continue.

Whatever brings you to counselling, I will meet you with warmth, respect and without judgement.

I offer a free 20 minute initial session, which also gives us an opportunity to consider whether we feel comfortable working together. Finding the right counsellor is important, so there is no pressure to continue if you don't feel I am the right person for you. 

This session is an opportunity for us to meet, talk about what has brought you to counselling and begin to think about what you would like support with. You don't need to have everything worked out beforehand, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

I will explain how counselling works and we can discuss what you would like from our work together. I’ll also answer any questions you may have and make sure you understand what to expect from future sessions.

I aim to make the first session a relaxed, welcoming and non-judgemental experience. There is no expectation that you will immediately talk about anything you are not ready to explore.

You can book a free introductory session at a time that suits you via my website: https://vegancounsellor.uk/book-an-appointment/