Alison Raphael
Clinical Psychotherapist
UKCP MSc

“We are what we repeatedly do…”

- Aristotle

Book a free consultation
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Psychotherapy for Burnout, Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem for Working Professionals

Burnout and chronic stress

Anxiety despite outward success

Career transitions

Perfectionism and self-esteem

Relationship difficulties

UKCP Registered Psychotherapist | MSc Psychoanalytical Theory (UCL)

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you feeling anxious, exhausted, disconnected from yourself, or caught in patterns that are difficult to change. You may find yourself struggling with burnout, low self-esteem, low confidence, chronic fatigue, emotional overwhelm, relationship difficulties, or a persistent feeling of being stuck.

I offer a safe, confidential, and collaborative therapeutic space where we can explore not only the challenges you are experiencing now, but also the deeper emotional and psychological factors that may be contributing to them.

As a UKCP-registered psychotherapist with an MSc in Psychoanalytical Theory from UCL, I work with adults seeking meaningful and lasting change. Rather than focusing solely on symptom management, therapy provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of yourself, your relationships, and the unconscious patterns that may be shaping your experiences.

Together, we can explore difficulties including:

  • Burnout and work-related stress

  • Anxiety and persistent worry

  • Low self-esteem and low confidence

  • Emotional dysregulation and intense emotions

  • Chronic fatigue and emotional exhaustion

  • Relationship difficulties

  • Life transitions and uncertainty

  • Repetitive patterns of behaviour

  • Feelings of being stuck or unfulfilled

  • Difficulties with self-worth and identity

A Deeper Approach to Lasting Change

Many people seek therapy when they have tried to cope alone for a long time. While strategies for managing symptoms can be helpful, lasting change often comes from understanding the underlying causes of emotional distress.

Psychotherapy offers a space to reflect, gain insight, and develop greater self-awareness. Through this process, long-standing patterns can become clearer, creating opportunities for growth, change, and a more authentic sense of self.

My approach is warm, thoughtful, and non-judgmental. I aim to provide a secure therapeutic relationship where you can feel heard, understood, and supported as we work together towards your goals.

Integrating Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)

Where appropriate, I also incorporate Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) into my practice. EFT is a gentle and effective therapeutic approach that combines focused attention with tapping on specific acupressure points on the body.

EFT can help reduce emotional distress, calm the nervous system, and support the release of limiting beliefs and emotional blocks. When integrated with psychotherapy, it can provide a valuable bridge between emotional insight and embodied change, helping clients experience therapeutic progress on both a psychological and somatic level.

Taking the First Step

Seeking therapy can feel daunting, particularly when you are already carrying emotional burdens. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, burnout, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, or a sense that something in your life needs to change, therapy can provide a supportive space to explore these experiences.

If you would like to find out more about how we might work together, please get in touch to arrange an initial free consultation.I offer a personalized, safe, and collaborative experience that helps in the understanding of  the root causes of issues rather than just managing symptoms.

I offer deep insight, foster a secure, non-judgmental experience which leads to long-lasting personal growth.

I can provide guidance drawing on my extensive knowledge and experience related to Burn-out, low self-esteem, low confidence, feeling stuck in life, chronic fatigue, anxiety, difficulty with Emotional dysregulation: feelings that are intense or hard to soothe. I also work with individuals who fear the unknown, are navigating challenging life transitions, experiencing relationship difficulties, or are caught up in repetitive patterns of behaviour that affect a sense of self worth and well being,

As part of my practice, I can incorporate EFT (emotional freedom technique), alongside psychotherapy in my practice, a gentle and effective short term therapeutic approach that can help reduce emotional distress, releasing limited beliefs to facilitate a somatic experience.

Alison Raphael Therapy

Book a free 30 minute consultation

My Approach

My path into clinical psychotherapy grew from a deep desire to understand people’s inner worlds and to be present with others in moments that are honest, raw, and profoundly human. While formal training gave my work structure, it has been real-life clinical practice that has given it depth and character.

For over 18 years, I have supported individuals and couples through periods of vulnerability, transition, burnout, and meaningful change. Following your complimentary 30-minute consultation, we will work collaboratively to shape a therapeutic approach that feels intentional, compassionate, and tailored specifically to you.

Asking for help is a kind and courageous step towards taking care of yourself.

You May Be Struggling If…

  • You overthink or feel anxious and self-doubting

  • You feel confident one moment and diminished the next

  • You’ve spent years being capable and responsible while feeling heavy inside

  • Burnout has finally caught up with you

  • You feel more irritable, exhausted, or overwhelmed

  • Anxiety, fear, or self-doubt feels louder than your confidence

  • You are exhausted from being “the strong one”

You have lost your vitality, your sense of self. You don’t have to manage this alone.

Areas of Support

Burnout & Overwhelm Recovery

Designed for those who feel overstretched, exhausted, and mentally overloaded.

You’ll learn to:

  • Understand the roots of burnout

  • Calm your nervous system

  • Shift perfectionistic patterns

  • Rebuild emotional energy

  • Create sustainable habits

Life Transitions Support

Support during career changes, relocation, relationship endings, new life stages, or identity shifts. We focus on grounding, clarity, and emotional steadiness. Other areas I treat, new mothers are often navigating one of the most significant transitions in life. Alongside the joy of welcoming a baby, many experience changes in identity, increased anxiety, emotional overwhelm, shifts in relationships, and the challenge of balancing the demands of motherhood with other aspects of life. Therapy can provide a supportive, non-judgemental space to process these experiences, build confidence, and promote emotional wellbeing during the postnatal period. Adults aged 60 and over may seek therapy as they navigate the unique challenges and opportunities that later life can bring. These may include retirement, bereavement, changes in health or independence, loneliness, relationship difficulties, caring responsibilities, or questions about purpose and meaning. Therapy offers a space to reflect on these transitions, develop resilience, and find new ways of adapting and thriving.

Self-Esteem & Imposter Syndrome Therapy

For those struggling with:

  • Feeling “not good enough”

  • Comparison and self-doubt

  • Perfectionistic pressure

  • Fear of failure or being “found out”

Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Support

A safe, supportive space for sensitive and deep-feeling individuals, focusing on:

  • Reducing overwhelm

  • Emotional boundary-setting

  • Nervous system calming

  • Self-acceptance and identity

Sessions & Practicalities

  • Complimentary 30-minute consultation

  • Weekly or fortnightly sessions

  • Short-term (solution-focused) or long-term therapy

  • 60-minute sessions

  • Online or in person (Primrose Hill, London)

  • Confidential, professional, and supportive

Fees

  • Individual sessions: £100

  • Couples sessions: £100

  • Concessions available

Payment methods
Bank transfer, credit card, or cash

At Alison Raphael Therapy

You don’t have to do everything alone

This is your space to slow down, understand yourself more deeply, and reconnect with who you truly are

About

  • Together, we gently explore anxiety, inner conflict, and questions of self-understanding, while supporting you to move through change with greater ease and self-compassion. Our work may also involve addressing burnout, relationship difficulties, experiences of betrayal, or feelings of emotional overwhelm — always at a pace that feels right for you.

    I work with both individuals and couples, offering a thoughtful, confidential space for reflection, insight, and growth.

    I am a UKCP-accredited psychotherapist with an MSc in Psychoanalytical Studies from University College London (UCL). My psychodynamic training, integrated into my full psychotherapy accreditation, enables me to work with an understanding of your whole story — past and present.

    I blend a warm, attuned therapeutic presence with evidence-informed methods.

  • My work integrates:

    • Compassion-focused techniques

    • Psychodynamic therapy

    • Attachment-informed practice

    • Somatic and mind–body awareness

    • Nervous system regulation

    • Cognitive and emotional restructuring

    • Person-centred therapy

    I offer a gentle, grounded, compassionate, and insightful space — one that can also be thoughtfully challenging when helpful.

  • My approach is gentle, grounding, and collaborative. I support you to:

    • Understand your emotions without judgment

    • Calm your nervous system

    • Reduce overwhelm and anxiety

    • Soften self-criticism and perfectionism

    • Build emotional resilience and self-worth

    • Feel more secure and connected

    • Navigate life changes with clarity and confidence

    Therapy can help you feel more connected to your thoughts and emotions, make decisions that feel authentic, reduce stress, increase emotional wellbeing, and deepen your sense of fulfilment.

    • MSc Psychoanalytical Studies – University College London (UCL)

    • UKCP Accredited Psychotherapist

    • Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships – Certificate in Psychosexual Studies

    • Gottman Method (Couples Therapy)

    • Somatic Attachment Training – Attachment Mastery Programme

    • Mindfulness Training – Regent’s University London

    • Master Practitioner & Clinical Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming

    • British Institute of Hypnotherapy (BIH)

    • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional - Evergreen Certifications

    • UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

    • British Institute of Hypnotherapy (BIH)