Andrew McLay

I am available for sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Weekends. These sessions can be conducted in person, remotely via video, or over the telephone.

My Face-to-Face practice is located in Enfield.

Life can sometimes leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of who we are. Whether you’re facing grief, addiction, relationship difficulties, anxiety, loss, or a significant life change, counselling can offer a space to pause, reflect, and begin making sense of what you’re experiencing.

I work from a Person-Centred approach, which means I believe that meaningful change happens when we feel genuinely heard, understood, and accepted. Rather than offering advice or assuming I know what’s best for you, I focus on building a trusting therapeutic relationship where you can explore your experiences openly and without judgement.

My role is not to lead your journey, but to walk alongside you. Together, we can explore the challenges you are facing, understand their impact on your life, and help you reconnect with your own strengths, values, and sense of self.

Clients often describe my approach as warm, compassionate, thoughtful, and grounding. I offer a calm and confidential space where difficult feelings can be explored safely, and where every part of your experience is welcomed with acceptance and respect.

I believe that every person has the capacity for growth and change, even during life’s most challenging moments. Healing is not about becoming someone different; it is about developing a deeper understanding of yourself and finding ways to move forward that feel authentic and meaningful to you.

I believe that even during life’s most challenging moments, growth, healing, and hope remain possible. If you’re considering counselling, I would welcome the opportunity to work alongside you as you move towards the changes you want in your life. 

I offer a deeply compassionate and genuine space where you can feel truly heard. I know that every person’s journey is unique, and my goal is to provide a secure, confidential, and empathetic environment to support you through life’s challenges. Whether you're feeling anxious, stressed, sad, or overwhelmed, I’m here to walk alongside you — offering hope, motivation, and a steady presence.

My Approach

You are the expert on your own life. My role is to empower you to move at your own pace and discover the solutions that work best for you. While we can explore past experiences when helpful, I place equal importance on the here and now — especially when you're struggling with difficult emotions like worry, grief, or stress.

What You Can Expect

 You set the pace — we go as deep or as gently as you feel ready.

 You stay in control — the power to choose what to explore rests with you.

 I’ll support, not direct — I’m here to facilitate your growth, not push you where you're not ready to go.

I deeply respect where you are right now, and I’ll meet you there with kindness, honesty, and professional care.

I know that reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, and you might be feeling a mix of nerves and hope. That's completely understandable. Before we meet, I offer a free 15-minute introductory call—just a relaxed conversation to get to know each other.

If you decide to go ahead, our first session is simply about us meeting and beginning to understand your story. It can take place face-to-face, online, or by telephone—whichever feels most comfortable for you. There’s no expectation for you to reveal everything at once. We’ll go at your pace, and you can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. The session is yours—a space to bring whatever is on your mind, whatever you're carrying, or simply to sit with how you're feeling. We'll explore things together as they arise, without pressure or interrogation. The space is yours, and the pace is always yours.

Availability

I currently have availability for new clients and aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.

Session Types

I offer counselling via online video and telephone, giving you the flexibility to connect from a place where you feel most comfortable.

My Working Hours

My practice hours are flexible to help accommodate your schedule. I am generally available for sessions during the following times:

Mondays to Wednesdays: 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Thursdays to Fridays]: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

If these times do not align with your current schedule, please feel free to reach out, as I am happy to discuss potential flexibility.

Future Time Off

I am committed to providing consistent support. Should I have any planned time off in the future, I will always provide my clients with plenty of notice to ensure we can plan our sessions accordingly.

Living with a chronic illness, disability, or life-changing diagnosis can affect far more than your physical health. It can impact your sense of identity, your relationships, your confidence, and the way you imagine your future. You may be adjusting to new limitations, coping with uncertainty, struggling with feelings of loss, or feeling isolated in experiences that others may not fully understand.

As a trauma-informed psychotherapist and grief educator, I have a particular interest in supporting people who are living with the emotional impact of illness, disability, and health-related loss. I recognise that grief is not limited to bereavement. It can also arise through the loss of health, independence, roles, opportunities, relationships, or the life you expected to have.

I offer a warm, confidential, and non-judgemental space where you can speak openly about these experiences and their impact on your life. Together, we can explore the emotional challenges you are facing, make sense of difficult feelings, and develop a deeper understanding of how these changes have affected you.

I have experience supporting clients who are:

• Living with chronic illness or long-term health conditions

• Adjusting to a new diagnosis or disability

• Coping with changes in identity, independence, or physical functioning

• Managing the emotional impact of ongoing treatment, symptoms, or uncertainty

• Navigating grief related to changes in health and life circumstances

• Bereaved through the death of a loved one, particularly where illness or caregiving has played a significant role

My approach is grounded in compassion, respect, and collaboration. I understand that there is no right way to respond to illness, disability, or loss, and that each person’s experience is unique. Whether you are newly facing these challenges or have been carrying them for many years, counselling can provide a space to feel heard, understood, and supported.

My Approach

I work from a Person-Centred perspective, which means I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is not to offer a fixed agenda or a "fix" — it is to walk alongside you, offering a space where you feel truly heard, understood, and accepted.

I recognise that living with illness or disability often means your body or circumstances already impose limits. In our sessions, you will not be pushed beyond what feels right. You set the pace, and I will meet you where you are — with gentle curiosity, deep listening, and unwavering respect.

What You Can Expect

 A calm, confidential environment where you can speak freely about your health, your fears, and your hopes.

 Deep listening — I pay attention not just to your words, but to the lived experience behind them, including the invisible aspects of illness and disability.

 No pressure to "fix" anything — we focus on understanding, acceptance, and finding your own path forward, at your own pace.

 Empowerment — you remain in control of what we explore. I am here to support, not direct.

I believe that even in the midst of profound challenge, there is space for growth, connection, and meaning. If you are ready to begin that journey, I would be honoured to walk alongside you.

I know that reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, and you might be feeling a mix of nerves and hope. That's completely understandable. Before we meet, I offer a 15-minute introductory call—just a relaxed conversation to get to know each other.

If you decide to go ahead, our first session is simply about us meeting and beginning to understand your story. It can take place face-to-face, online, or by telephone—whichever feels most comfortable for you. There’s no expectation for you to reveal everything at once. We’ll go at your pace, and you can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. The session is yours—a space to bring whatever is on your mind, whatever you're carrying, or simply to sit with how you're feeling. We'll explore things together as they arise, without pressure or interrogation. The space is yours, and the pace is always yours.

- Available for sessions on Monday mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

- Available Tuesday evenings.

- Available Wednesdays in the afternoons and evenings.

- Available Fridays in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

- Sessions can be conducted in person, remotely via video, or over the telephone.

- Face-to-face practice is located in Enfield.

Andrew McLay | Bereavement and Grief Therapist/Counsellor and Grief Educator.

McLay Psychotherapy and Counselling Service

As a bereavement and grief therapist, I am deeply dedicated to supporting individuals as they navigate the often overwhelming emotions that can accompany grief, loss, and life-changing transitions. I recognise that every person’s experience of loss is unique, and I offer a compassionate, thoughtful space where you can explore your feelings at your own pace. My approach combines therapeutic knowledge with sensitivity to the emotional, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of grief.

Core Elements of My Practice:

1. Individualised Support
I understand that grief is not a linear process, and there is no right or wrong way to mourn. Together, we can explore the impact of your loss, make sense of difficult emotions, and find ways to navigate the changes that grief can bring to your life and relationships.

2. Cultural Sensitivity
I honour and respect the diverse cultural, religious, spiritual, and personal beliefs that shape how we experience and express grief. I strive to create an environment where you feel genuinely seen, understood, and valued, recognising the importance of your unique background, identity, and lived experience.

3. Working with Different Types of Loss
Loss can take many forms, from the death of a loved one to changes in health, relationships, employment, identity, or future hopes. I also recognise the profound impact of sudden, traumatic, or complex losses, including suicide, miscarriage, disability, and significant life transitions. Whatever your experience, I offer a supportive space to explore its meaning and emotional impact.

How I Support Clients:

- I acknowledge and validate that your grief journey is your own, without any predetermined timelines or "correct" ways to grieve.

- I create a warm, safe space for you to explore complex emotions—guilt, anger, or even moments of relief—without judgment.

- I help you find a balance between adjusting to life after your loss and maintaining meaningful connections to what you've lost.

- I am attentive to identifying complicated grief, characterised by prolonged or overwhelming symptoms, and I provide tailored strategies to help you navigate this difficult terrain.

Why This Work Matters:

- Your feelings are valid in a world that often shows impatience with grief.

- At McLay Psychotherapy and Counselling Services, we are committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment.

- You can feel less isolated and explore your grief and loss on your own terms.

- You deserve to feel secure and accepted throughout this process.

- Together, we will navigate your grief with compassion and clarity.

📞 Please reach out to learn more about my bereavement-informed approach.

BSc (Hons) in Counselling-

Level 5 Foundation Degree in Counselling.

BSc (Hons) Psychology.

Registered member of the MBACP

I receive regular clinical supervision and engage in continuous professional development.

Andrew McLay, BACP Registered Therapist

 I know that reaching out for therapy can feel like a big step, and you might be feeling a mix of nerves and hope. That's completely understandable. Before we meet, I offer a 15-minute introductory call—just a relaxed conversation to get to know each other.

If you decide to go ahead, our first session is simply about us meeting and beginning to understand your story. It can take place face-to-face, online, or by telephone—whichever feels most comfortable for you. There’s no expectation for you to reveal everything at once. We’ll go at your pace, and you can share as much or as little as feels comfortable. The session is yours—a space to bring whatever is on your mind, whatever you're carrying, or simply to sit with how you're feeling. We'll explore things together as they arise, without pressure or interrogation. The space is yours, and the pace is always yours.