Irene Alford

I do not work on Sundays.

Happy New Year........

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"  - Gandhi.

Choosing a counsellor can be a confusing and daunting prospect so please do take advantage of an introductory telephone conversation to establish if we are a good fit.

Welcome to Irene Alford Counselling Services. I am an integrative Counsellor. My approach is flexible so that it can be adapted to your needs. I work relationally, which means that, through the therapeutic relationship you are encouraged to explore and understand how early experiences and past relationships impact on your present difficulties.  I seek to create a supportive, safe and respectful space for you to explore your life, as a way to think about how you want to move forward. I work Integratively and I am open to looking at what works best for you as a client.

I offer face to face and online counselling, working with a wide range of issues from anxiety and depression to issues with self esteem, relationship difficulties and childhood trauma.

I a professional qualification in Integrative Counselling,  and support clients in my private practice in Stockport as well as Online. 

The Integrative approach is non-judgemental and empathic, encouraging you to recognise your inner resources and strengths.

My particular interest lies in our childhood experiences and what we deny or repress, and how this continues to impact us as adults in our life and relationship choices.

Whatever brings you to counselling, I promise to listen without judgement and offer you a safe and confidential space to be heard.  

I also have particular interest in working with people with anxiety and low mood. Anxiety and depression are both something that can be worked through and understood. My approach is to educate you on Anxiety as well as its causes and explore where its coming from.

I have experience of dealing with a wide range of issues including, low self esteem, historic childhood issues, bereavement & loss. I have worked with specialist organisations dealing with all of the above, as well as generic counselling in the voluntary sector and now self-employed in private practice. My professional approach is drawn from in-depth training and professional development in counselling and counselling supervision. I work with individual adults and young persons offering counselling  and am happy to consider EAP work.

If you are interested in therapy with me, please get in touch via email, text message or phone call. I aim to respond to all queries within a few hours. I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation over the phone during which you can give me brief details of your situation and ask any questions you may have. 

The first counselling session will be to find out what your expectations are and to give you a platform to talk through some of the issues you are dealing with, it will be a getting to know each other session. l will listen as you disclose your concerns and help you feel safe and confident, you then have the opportunity to decide if you want to continue working with me and to ask any questions you may have about my approach. If you agree to continue then we will arrange a weekly slot.

I do not work on Sundays.

*****ONLINE COUNSELLING SESSIONS AVAILABLE*****

I can also do face to face sessions but have limited slots available, full covid risk assessments available on request. Please get in touch to discuss the best option for you at the present time.

Welcome to Irene Alford Counselling Services. I am an integrative counsellor. My approach is flexible so that it can be adapted to your needs. I work relationally, which means that, through the therapeutic relationship, you are encouraged to explore and understand how early experiences and past relationships impact on your present difficulties.  I seek to create a supportive, safe and respectful space for you to explore your life, as a way to think about how you want to move forward. I mainly work using the Person Centred Approach, however I also work Integratively and am open to looking at what works best for you as a client.

I have particular interest in working with people with anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are both something that can be worked through and understood. My approach is to educate you on Anxiety as well as its causes and explore where its coming from.

I have experience of dealing with a wide range of issues including, low self esteem, historic childhood issues, bereavement & loss. I have worked with specialist organisations dealing with all of the above, as well as generic counselling in the voluntary sector, and am currently employed by 'Talk Listen Change' as well as self-employed in private practice. My professional approach is drawn from in-depth training and professional development in counselling and counselling supervision. I work with individual adults and young persons offering counselling  and am happy to consider EAP work.

If you are interested in therapy with me, please get in touch via email, text message or phone call. I aim to respond to all queries within a few hours. I offer a free initial 20-minute consultation over the phone during which you can give me brief details of your situation and ask any questions you may have. 

The first counselling session will be to find out what your expectations are and to give you a platform to talk through some of the issues you are dealing with, it will be a getting to know each other session. l will listen as you disclose your concerns and help you feel safe and confident, you then have the opportunity to decide if you want to continue working with me and to ask any questions you may have about my approach. If you agree to continue then we will arrange a weekly slot.

I  do not work on weekends.

****************YOUNG PERSON COUNSELLOR *****************

I have a passion for young people and can totally empathise with the struggles that they are presented with in today's world.  I offer a calm and welcoming practice space where a young person can express their thoughts and feelings, helping them to manage and contain their difficulties and empower them to make sense of and understand their struggles. By placing an individual's needs first, I tailor my approach to suit each client using a mixture of talking and motivational therapy to promote positive, lasting change.

I work with adolescents (11+) in both private practice and schools. I work in a variety of  schools across Greater Manchester.  I am also trained to work online.

As an integrative Counsellor I draw on a wide range of theories and styles, recognising each young person as an individual. 

I can work face to face or online.  I find young people sometimes prefer online as it enables the privacy of their own bedroom to feel relaxed and engaging. I work with a range of issues, specialising in Anxiety, low mood/Depression and Teenage Issues. I also have extensive experience in working with Autistic and ADHD clients.

After an initial consultation we will work together to find a time that works best for you and your young person (Adolescent)