Alexandra Duffy

I am currently accepting new clients on Friday mornings. 

My name is Alex (she/her). I am an integrative, relational counsellor, practising therapy in Walthamstow in East London, and online. 

I hold a Diploma in Integrative Counselling from the Minster Centre and am a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MÂ鶹ԭ´´).

You might be looking for counselling / therapy because you feel overwhelmed, or in distress. You might want some space to think through some of your past experiences, and how they’re affecting you today. Or, something big might have happened recently - you might be going through a change, transition, or loss, in some area of your life. Maybe something just doesn’t feel quite ‘right’, but you can’t put your finger on what.

I provide an open, empathic, reflective and confidential space, where you can take time to explore whatever is going on for you. We can look at your feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviours - and hold them up to the light, together.

I create a safe, supportive, empathic environment where you feel heard when you talk about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

I try and avoid assumptions, and get a feel for who you are, and what matters to you, in your particular world. I tailor how I work, and the pace of our sessions, based on what you need.

Being an ‘integrative’ counsellor means my practice is informed by different theories and approaches (or ‘modalities’). People are unique, so it makes sense to me that there’s not a ‘one size fits all’ approach to therapy, either.

Sometimes, we might look at your past - and how those experiences have shaped your present.

Sometimes, we might think about how you make meaning in your life, and your world. What’s important to you?

Sometimes, we might pay attention to how your emotions and experiences show up in your body (sometimes referred to as a ‘somatic’ or ‘embodied’ way of working). I pay attention to what my body is telling me, too.

Predominantly, I focus on relationships: between you and I, and you and others. None of us live in a vacuum - we are formed by relationships. They shape how we are in the world, our expectations, our sense of safety. Therapy is a space where we can tune into these ways of being - by paying attention to relationships, we can look out for how we treat our own needs and what our patterns are. In therapy, we can also explore if other ways of being are possible.

The space I offer is LGBTQ+ affirming and I am committed to anti-oppressive practice. 

For an initial assessment, I charge £40 for a 50 minute session.

When you first contact me, I can offer a free, 20 minute phone / Zoom call to discuss the reasons you would like to come to therapy, and to talk about logistics.

If we have matching availability, I will offer a first ‘assessment’ session. I’ll send you a confirmation email with the date, time, and location. 

This is a chance for us to meet, and for you to get a feel for how I work. In this session, I ask more specific questions than I would do usually. I aim to understand more about what is bringing you to therapy and what you want to focus on. I’ll ask some questions about your life history and your current set-up. I’ll also ask if you’ve had any therapy before - what was helpful, what was less helpful. We can talk through how I work, and I can answer any questions you might have.

This process is for both of us. You will want to see if I’m the right ‘fit’ for you as a counsellor. I will also be thinking about whether I have the right sort of training and experience to best support you.

Based on this conversation, we will agree whether we will start working together. If we agree to proceed, we will set a day and time for weekly sessions.