Charlie Allen

I'm offering sessions in person, online, or a hybrid approach. I'm currently available in the daytime and early evening during the week; please contact me for my exact availability.  

Hello. I'm a BACP registered counsellor/psychotherapist and provide a calm, confidential and non-judgmental space where we can navigate whatever’s troubling you. As an integrative therapist, I value your unique life experience and draw on different therapeutic perspectives to offer a way of working that’s best suited to you. This can include reflecting on how your early experiences in life have shaped the person you are today.

I work relationally which means that I pay close attention to how you experience relationships, to offer us insight into your difficulties. As part of this, I emphasise the collaborative therapeutic relationship between us to bring about growth and lasting change. My aim is for us to develop understandings, meanings and solutions together, so you can move beyond your difficulties.

My experience & professional background:

As well as supporting clients with a range of issues in private practice, I have clinical experience working with young adults in a Higher Education setting, and in a specialist trauma counselling service for people who had experienced sexual abuse. Before training as a therapist, I volunteered at The Listening Place in central London with people who no longer felt that life was worth living.

Alongside being a therapist in private practice I work in professional learning and development, specialising in mental health and wellbeing at work, and leadership development. This has provided understandings around the search for a purposeful career, developing personal resources for wellbeing, and managing stress in the workplace.

My education/professional qualifications include:

• MSc Therapeutic Counselling, University of Greenwich (2021)

• Level 7 Award in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring, CMI (2017)

• Certificate in Counselling Skills: Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy, WPF Therapy (2015)

• BA (Hons) Geography, University of Manchester (2006)

I work one-to-one with adults from a comfortable therapy practice in Crystal Palace in South-East London, and online. People come to therapy for a host of different reasons, including:

• difficulties or a breakdown in relationships

• feeling anxious, depressed or angry

• a sense of being directionless or stuck

• a dislocation of identity or sense of self

• past or current trauma or abuse

• feeling that something’s not right

It may be difficult to talk about these things with those closest to you, such as family or friends, whereas therapy can be a place removed from your everyday life to reflect and bring about the change you are seeking.

Short-term and open-ended therapy:

I offer short-term and open-ended therapy. Short-term work can be useful to focus on a current, specific difficulty, whereas open-ended work enables us to explore your difficulties more extensively - and can be helpful for longer-term issues.

Arranging weekly sessions at the same time each week enables us to get into the rhythm of your therapy. This becomes your slot for the duration of our work together, whether that’s for an agreed time-limited period, or on an open-ended basis. Sessions last for 50 minutes each.

As a practitioner I'm fully insured and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO reference number: ZB388752). 

I recognise that starting therapy may seem daunting, and that you may not be exactly sure what you want or need, and I am here to help you through the process. Please get in touch with any questions, or to arrange an initial conversation.

I offer a free, initial 15-20 minute phone or Zoom call before starting therapy, to begin thinking together about how I may be able to help you. This doesn't commit you to going any further.

Beyond this, a first meeting offers the chance to think together about your difficulties - and consider what might be most useful for you. It’s also a chance to get to know each other, an opportunity to ask questions and speak about any concerns. There's no obligation to continue, and sometimes it’s best to arrange a second meeting before deciding whether to carry on.