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.

How I Work

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.

Therapeutic Approach

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.

What You Can Expect

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.

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.

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

Qualifications & Training

• 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)

Affiliations

• UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

• British Institute of Hypnotherapy (BIH)

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.