Alison Penfold

Having first established my practice in London since 2010, I began my practice in central Bath in 2019.

I believe the most vital ingredient in successful therapy, is the relationship between therapist and client.

Therapy can support you in gaining new perspectives, developing a richer awareness of yourself and understanding the way that you are in relationships with others. This enables choices which enhance your life. The most important aspect of therapy, can be the 'space' in which you can talk about painful feelings and feel supported in recognising difficulties which you have unsuccessfully been trying to ignore for some time.

I support clients with a very wide range of issues, including anxiety, low self worth, challenging relationships,  attachment issues, bereavement and much more. I have extensive experience of supporting clients who have experienced abusive childhoods.

From a performing arts background, I worked for many years as a classical singer. Drawing on this experience, I am a Registered Therapist for the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).  My understanding  in this area enables me to work effectively with other performance related issues, at work, in educational environments and in competitive sporting situations. I have extensive experience of supporting Creative Artists including writers, painters and performers.

I have an Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills and Theory, and a BA Hons Degree in Integrative Counselling.  I have been awarded Accredited Member Status with the BACP and have since completed extensive CPD,  with a particular focus on  relationships 

To support my work with couples, I have obtained a certificate from COSRT (College of Sexual and Relationship Therapy) and have attended brief CPD training at the Tavistock Institute for Couples Therapy.

As an Integrative Therapist, I am primarily informed by attachment theory and I believe our early experience can significantly influence our later lives and relationships. I use an integrative approach in the way I work, very much dependent on your specific needs. Whilst seeing you as an individual and aiming to offer equal humanity in our sessions, I will also share perspectives, reflections and some relevant psycho-education where I believe it might be helpful to you.

Therapy can be a variable experience, dependent on your specific needs at the time and your individual journey.  As well as gaining increased awareness of how you are in relationship(s) with both yourself and others, I also focus on facilitating self-care and the practice of self compassion.  

Optimally, our therapy sessions can support you to achieve balance, hope and meaning in your life.

Our first session is the same cost and length as any subsequent sessions. It provides an opportunity for information gathering.  We can discuss the help you feel you need and how I might best support you on your journey. We can also discuss alternative and /or additional support that might be helpful for you, where appropriate.

I aim to leave time to discuss practical issues like times, regularity and the possible duration of therapy. I am aware that sometimes your need to talk about the issues that led you to seek help, might make it more realistic to gather and discuss this over the first couple of sessions, dependant on your needs.

In some instances, it might be helpful to specifically book a longer first session. Please ask me about this ahead of meeting if this seems like a better option for you and I can advise you of the cost and availability of this.