Counselling at Feeling To Healing is confidential, one-to-one talking therapy that helps you make sense of difficult feelings, relationships and life changes, provided by our team of experienced psychologists. Choose counselling in London at our East London clinic, or online counselling by secure video from anywhere in the world. Our private counselling services have no waiting list and no GP referral, and every new client starts with a free 20-minute consultation.

Clinically reviewed by Dr Carlo Demarco, PhD, Consultant Psychologist. Last updated October 2026.

Sometimes life piles up. A loss, a break-up, stress at work, an old hurt that keeps resurfacing, or simply a sense that you are not quite yourself any more. Friends and family mean well, but it can be hard to say everything you feel to the people closest to you. Talking to a trained professional who is outside your everyday life gives you room to think clearly, feel heard and find your own way forward.

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What Is Counselling?

Counselling is a type of talking therapy. You meet regularly with a trained therapist, in a private and confidential setting, to talk about what is troubling you. Your therapist listens carefully, without judging or telling you what to do, and helps you explore your thoughts, feelings and choices so that you can understand them better and make changes that feel right for you.

It is not just “having a chat”. Sessions have a clear purpose, a consistent time and place, and a professional who is trained to notice patterns, ask helpful questions and keep the work focused on your goals. The NHS guide to types of talking therapy describes it as a way to talk about your problems and feelings in a safe, confidential environment.

Many people come with a specific problem, such as grief or a relationship ending. Others come because they feel stuck, low or anxious and are not sure why. Both are good reasons to start.

Counselling, Psychotherapy or CBT: What Is the Difference?

These words are often used to mean the same thing, and there is a lot of overlap. As a rough guide:

• Counselling usually focuses on a current problem or life event and how you are coping with it. It is often shorter term, from a few sessions to a few months.
• Psychotherapy tends to go deeper and longer, looking at long-standing patterns, early experiences and how they shape the way you relate to yourself and others.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured, skills-based approach that works on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, with practical tasks between sessions.

You do not need to know which one you need before you contact us. At your free consultation we talk about what is going on for you and recommend the approach, or blend of approaches, most likely to help. Because our counsellors are qualified psychologists, we can move between talking support, CBT techniques and deeper work as your needs change.

What Can Talking Therapy Help With?

People come to us for many different reasons. You do not need a diagnosis, and no problem is too big or too small.

If you are not sure whether talking therapy is right for what you are going through, ask us at your free consultation. If another service would suit you better, we will tell you honestly and point you in the right direction.

Our Counselling Services

We offer a range of counselling services for adults, couples and families, all led by the same experienced team:

• Individual therapy: one-to-one support for whatever you are facing, at your own pace.
• Couples and relationships: help to communicate, rebuild trust and resolve conflict. See online couples therapy and marriage support.
• Bereavement support: space to grieve and adjust after a loss. See grief support.
• Trauma support: gentle, paced work after frightening or overwhelming experiences. See trauma therapy.
• Support for new parents: for the emotional ups and downs after having a baby. See support for new mothers.
• Career and work: stress, burnout, direction and confidence at work. See career guidance.
• Addiction: support to understand and change drinking, drug use or other compulsive habits. See addiction therapy.

Sessions are held in English, in a calm and unhurried way, at the clinic or online.

Does Talking Therapy Work? What the Evidence Says

Talking therapies are among the most researched treatments for common mental health problems. The NICE guideline on depression in adults (NG222) includes this kind of talking support as one of the treatment options for less severe depression, alongside CBT, behavioural activation and other approaches. Mind’s guide to talking therapies explains how it can help with a wide range of difficulties.

Research also shows that one of the strongest predictors of a good outcome is the relationship between you and your therapist: feeling safe, understood and able to be honest. That is why we put so much care into the first conversation, and why the free consultation matters. It gives you a chance to see whether we are the right fit before you commit to anything.

Common benefits people describe include:

• Feeling lighter and less alone with their problems
• Understanding why they react the way they do
• Better sleep, mood and concentration
• More confidence in making decisions and setting boundaries
• Healthier, calmer relationships

How It Works at Feeling To Healing

Each session lasts 55 minutes. You do not need to prepare anything, and you only share what you feel ready to share. Some people come for a handful of sessions to get through a specific crisis, while others prefer longer-term support. You are always in control of how long you continue, and we review together regularly so you can see what is changing.

What Happens in a Typical Session?

Most sessions begin with a quick check-in about your week and anything that is on your mind. From there you choose where to start. Your therapist may reflect back what they hear, ask questions that help you see things from a new angle, or gently point out patterns that keep repeating. There are no right or wrong things to bring.

Some sessions feel like a relief, others can stir up strong emotions, and that is a normal part of the process. Towards the end, we take a moment to pause, notice what has come up and think about anything you want to try before next time. If CBT techniques would help, we may also agree a small, practical task to practise between sessions.

Online Counselling Across the UK

Online counselling works in the same way as meeting in the clinic, over a secure video call. It suits you if you live outside London, have a busy work or family life, find travelling difficult, or simply feel more comfortable talking from home. Many clients also like that there is no commute before or after a session that may have stirred up strong feelings.

Research shows that therapy by video can be as effective as face-to-face sessions for many common problems. All you need is a private, quiet space, a phone, tablet or computer, and a reliable internet connection. Read more about our online therapy sessions.

Counselling in London: Our Clinic

If you prefer to meet in person, we offer counselling in London at our clinic at 106 Empress Avenue, London E12 5EU, in East London. Sessions take place in a calm, private therapy room, away from the noise of the high street, so you can settle in and focus on yourself for the hour.

You are welcome to mix and match: for example, start in the clinic and switch to video sessions when you are travelling or busy, or the other way round.

Private Counselling or NHS Talking Therapies?

In England you can refer yourself for free NHS Talking Therapies, and for many people that is a good option. Waiting times vary by area, the number of sessions is usually limited, and you may not be able to choose your therapist, the type of therapy or the time of your appointments.

Private counselling with us is different in a few ways:

• No waiting list: you can often start within days.
• No GP referral: you book directly.
• Your choice: of times, of in-person or online sessions, and of how many sessions you have.
• One therapist throughout: you build trust with the same person from start to finish.

Our session fees are listed on our fees page. You pay us directly, as we do not bill insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, we give you a receipt after each session so you can claim the cost back from your insurer yourself.

Who We Help

• Adults going through a difficult time, a loss or a big change
• People who feel low, anxious, stressed or stuck without knowing why
• Couples who want to communicate better or are thinking about separating
• Professionals dealing with pressure, burnout or a career crossroads
• New parents adjusting to life with a baby
• Men who find it hard to open up (see men’s mental health)

Meet Our Counselling Team

Feeling To Healing is a team of qualified practitioners, so we can match you with the person and the approach that suit you best. Counselling and talking therapy at the clinic are provided by our psychologists:

The wider team also includes a hypnotherapist, so if another kind of support would help alongside your sessions, it is available under one roof. Meet Mrs Inas Hassan (hypnotherapy).

Why Choose Feeling To Healing?

• A free 20-minute consultation for every treatment, so you can ask questions and see if we are the right fit, with no obligation.
• Experienced, qualified psychologists, led by a Consultant Psychologist with more than 30 years of clinical practice.
• Evidence-based care that draws on proven talking therapies, including CBT, mindfulness-based therapy and person-centred work.
• Your choice of setting: counselling in London at our East London clinic, or online counselling from home.
• No GP referral and no waiting list: you can book directly at a time that suits you.
• Sessions in English: clear, plain-language sessions at the clinic or online.

How to Choose the Right Counsellor

Finding the right person matters as much as the type of therapy. When you are comparing therapists, it helps to ask:

• What training and experience do they have with problems like yours?
• Which approaches do they use, and why would those suit you?
• How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
• Can you meet in person, online, or both?
• Most importantly, do you feel comfortable talking to them?

The free 20-minute consultation is designed for exactly this. You can ask every one of these questions, get a feel for how we work, and decide in your own time.

Getting the Most From Your Sessions

• Be as honest as you can, including about how therapy itself is going for you.
• Jot down anything that comes up between sessions that you want to talk about.
• Give it a few sessions. The first meetings are often about getting to know each other.
• Look after the basics: sleep, movement, food and time with people you trust.
• Try the free tools on NHS Every Mind Matters alongside your sessions.

When to Seek Urgent Help

Frequently Asked Questions

You may also find these helpful: psychologist consultations, emotional intelligence, communication skills and all our therapy services in London.

This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reviewed by Dr Carlo Demarco, Consultant Psychologist, October 2026.