Alan Cox , BACP

Alan Cox has practised as a counsellor since 2008, beginning his work in the voluntary charity sector before establishing a private practice in 2012 after completing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Counselling. He also holds a Foundation Degree in Counselling, a practical tertiary qualification that supported his early development. Over the years he has combined private work with ongoing involvement in bereavement services, where he continues to provide supervision to other counsellors.

Having experienced therapy personally, Alan brings an appreciation of what it feels like to be in the client chair and a clear sense of the potential benefits of counselling. He has worked with a wide range of life challenges including divorce, bereavement, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, redundancy, unemployment, retirement and relocation, among many other concerns. Prior roles in coaching, training and people development have given him insight into workplace pressures and the growing demands placed on employees and managers.

Alan emphasises an empathetic, nonjudgemental way of listening and reflects back what he hears to help clients make sense of their experience. He sees counselling as a collaborative process that enables people to find their own solutions rather than being told what to do. Drawing on a range of therapeutic models, he combines practical problem-solving with attention to the underlying causes and maintaining factors that prolong distress, helping clients move toward clearer decisions and better coping.

He is a member of BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and integrates his training and experience to support people through stressful transitions and complex emotional issues.

Approaches and advantages of online therapy

Alan Cox commonly integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy into his work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients focus on their values and accept difficult thoughts and feelings, supporting movement toward meaningful action even when emotions are uncomfortable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thought and behavior patterns, often used for anxiety, depression and stress-related problems. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathic listening and a nonjudgemental stance, creating space for clients to explore their experience and discover their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Alan works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit best with their needs, goals and preferences, and he adapts techniques as therapy progresses to ensure the work remains relevant and practical.

Online sessions - whether by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging - make counselling more flexible and accessible for people with busy schedules, mobility constraints or those living at a distance. These options allow for regular contact, easier scheduling and the ability to continue therapy through life changes while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor the process to each individual.