Alan Cox, BACP

Alan Cox is a counsellor with 13 years' experience who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, anger and depression. He also supports those dealing with addictions, trauma and intimacy concerns, plus sleep, eating and self-esteem problems. He works with career and life changes, ADHD and coaching needs. Alan holds a BACP credential which signifies registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Alan trained through a Foundation Degree in Counselling and a BA (Hons) in Counselling, and he ran a private practice from 2012 after starting in the voluntary sector in 2008. He continues to offer supervision in the bereavement sector, bringing ongoing contact with volunteer services and other counsellors. His prior work in coaching, training and people development informs how he supports workplace and career concerns.

Alan describes counselling as a partnership where listening comes first. He aims to reflect clearly what a person is saying so they can better understand their feelings and make choices. He draws on a mix of approaches rather than using only one method, tailoring them to each person's situation.

In sessions he takes a practical view as well as exploring underlying causes. That means looking at what keeps a problem going alongside the immediate difficulties. This combination helps people work through current distress and find steps that feel achievable in daily life.

Sessions are offered in English and can be arranged to suit individual needs. Alan accepts international clients and can work online or by phone to reach people who need flexible options.

Therapy approaches and online options

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasises noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and choosing actions that match personal values. It can help when anxiety, depression or life transitions make decisions feel overwhelming. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and teaches practical techniques to change patterns that cause distress. It is often used for anxiety, panic and mood difficulties. Client-Centred Therapy centres on empathic listening and respect, giving people space to find their own solutions while being heard and understood.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what has or has not helped before, then suggest ways of working together. That choice is collaborative and can change over time as needs evolve.

Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to fit different schedules. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when that helps, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier on the go, while messaging or live chat can suit shorter check-ins and ongoing support between meetings. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments, and to choose the format that feels most practical.