Barry Allard

I offer in-person sessions at my office in Holborn, Central London, on Wednesdays, while the rest of my work takes place outdoors or online.

Most people teeter on the edge before stepping into therapy, and that’s completely understandable. Therapy can be both deeply rewarding and undeniably challenging.

You might feel drawn to therapy because:

You're seeking a deeper understanding of yourself.

You're ready to face difficult emotions and past experiences.

Life feels overwhelming, and you’re feeling stuck.

A relationship isn’t working, or you’ve gone through something traumatic.

You're navigating a major life change or carrying the weight of something heavy.

In moments like these, it’s easy to lose sight of who we are. But I truly believe that with the right support, things can shift.  My hope is that in this process, it will lead to discovering a new way of being, a shift that creates lasting change in how you see yourself and the connections you make with others.

Imagine what that could feel like. 

Wherever you are in that process, I’m here to help make the journey a little smoother.

My Approach

I trained in integrative counselling and psychotherapy which means I pull from different theories and approaches, depending on what feels right.

I am empathetic and down to earth. I aim to create a space where you can slow down, contemplate and process what brought you to therapy. A space where you feel truly seen and heard. It’s a place to lay out your thoughts and emotions, to take a step back and see them from fresh angles.

In my experience, what matters most is the relationship that we build together. Through this relationship my role is to ensure you feel safe enough to explore yourself—your challenges, your questions, your choices. 

Influences

I’m curious about how past relationships shape who we are and how we connect with others, and with each other. But sometimes, I think words alone fall short. With my training and interest in body-based therapies, I may bring different layers and creativity into our work. We might tune into the body, explore sensations, use movement, drawing and the space around us.

I bring over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health. My training includes four years of in-depth study at the Minster Centre in London, where I completed a postgraduate diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling.

Alongside my formal qualifications, I bring my own experience of navigating life’s ups and downs, which allows me to connect with you on a deeply personal level. I have founded a charity and a business. I have been an Executive Coach for the last 8 years. I have studied yoga and somatics. I have worked in an organisational trauma consultancy for over 6 years delivering workshops and programmes that I design and facilitate. I live and work in the in-between, where these different aspects of my life overlap. This shapes my approach as a therapist and our relationship together. I bring my empathy, humour, and enthusiasm because I’m a human first and a therapist second. I'm real and relatable.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with people facing a wide range of challenges. From anxiety and depression to low self-esteem, relationship struggles, work related stress, addiction, sexual abuse, grief, trauma, or feeling lost without direction. Yet, no two individuals are ever the same, and I’m deeply passionate about seeing the world through your eyes.

If you’re curious about whether we might be a good fit, or if you’d like to book a session, please feel free to get in touch via phone or email. I’m always happy to answer any questions.

My office is centrally located at Chancery Lane, Holborn, (WC1V), where I currently have afternoon and evening availability.

I also offer walking therapy in Victoria Park and Hampstead Heath after an initial assessment.

When you reach out, I provide a complimentary, no-obligation 15-minute phone call to discuss your needs and determine if we're a good match. If we choose to move forward, we can schedule an introductory session to explore your goals and how we can work together. 

The first session is an opportunity for you to experience the way I work and for me to get a better understanding of the main issues leading to you considering therapy.

Usually, by the end of an initial consultation we will have a clearer idea what the best next steps might be for you.