Alison Holder, BACP

Alison Holder is a BACP counsellor based in the United Kingdom with ten years of clinical experience. She works with adults on a wide range of concerns including anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties and addictions. Alison frames the first sessions around what matters most to each person and helps set practical goals for change.

Clients can expect a calm, non-judgemental space to talk through painful experiences and confusing feelings. Alison emphasises the relationship between counsellor and client as the foundation for change. She listens closely and uses that understanding to guide each session.

Her background includes work with people affected by bereavement, abuse, self-harm, depression and crisis situations. This has given her experience with complex emotional reactions and with helping people rebuild a sense of direction. Alison also supports people tackling issues such as ADHD, bipolar mood difficulties, anger and low self-esteem.

Her approach draws on attachment-based and psychodynamic ideas to look at patterns that repeat over time. She also uses client-centred principles so sessions stay focused on the client's priorities. For trauma-related work she includes trauma-focused methods and EMDR where appropriate.

Sessions are practical and paced to the person's needs. Alison helps people break problems into manageable steps and develop skills for day-to-day situations. If you want a clear starting point, she asks new clients to set a small, achievable goal together in the early sessions.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Attachment-based work focuses on relationships and emotional bonds. It looks at how early patterns affect present reactions and helps people develop healthier ways of relating to others and themselves.

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, is a trauma-focused method used to process distressing memories. Sessions guide the person through a structured set of steps to reduce the intensity of traumatic reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapy process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and will suggest methods that fit those needs. Decisions about which approach to use are made together and can change as progress is made.

Online therapy can help fit counselling into a busy life, making it easier to attend sessions around work or family commitments. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when needed or for sessions without video if that feels more comfortable. Confirm the current session formats before booking so you know how you will meet and what to expect.