Find your therapist

I am a fully qualified and experienced Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a registered member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP) who works in accordance with the BACP’s Ethical framework.

I began my academic training in the field of Psychology at London Guildhall University and after extensive research on Community Mental Health Care I progressed onto a 3yr BACP accredited Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling. I qualified in 2008 and set up in private practice.

I have worked extensively with the following:

Children & Adolescents
Childhood Trauma
Depression & Anxiety
Relationship struggles
Family Difficulties
Loss & Bereavement
Anger & aggression
Survivors of Abuse
Sexuality & sexual differences
Attachment Disorder

Cultural Identity
Suicidal Thoughts
Cultural Identity
Meaninglessness & futility of life
Work/life balance
Job loss
Illness
Dependency
Self Esteem

In 2013, I undertook a Diploma in Counselling Children & Adolescents Using The Arts which allowed to me to then go on and set up and run a Counselling Service at Lea Valley Primary School and The Complete Works Alternative Provision, working with vulnerable children and adolescents.

Therefore, in addition to my private practice I have also worked as a psychotherapist in community counselling agencies such as MIND, Barnet Community Counselling and Counselling Initiatives in Islington as well as with young people at Hornsey YMCA and Whitefields Secondary School. Hence, this has therefore provided me with experience in working with children and young people of all ages.

In addition to one to one counselling I can also offer bespoke well-being and pastoral programmes which can be developed for a variety of settings from primary and secondary schools to pupil referral units.

Using some of the key elements of counselling, I am able to work with individuals, groups and whole settings whereby I seek to develop working programmes that look at areas such as conflict resolution, working with others, listening and self esteem as well as addressing specific issues identified as being significant to that particular setting.
This may include areas such as friendship, eating disorders, bullying, collaboration, peer and family pressure, puberty and addiction.

I understand my work as a counsellor to be about providing you with a non-judgemental, safe, relational space, where my role is to facilitate you in addressing past experiences and how they impact on the present, the person you are today and support you in developing a deeper awareness of how you experience yourself privately, in relationships, in the world and in the present moment in the counselling relationship.

The counselling process can enable the possibility for exploring choices and change and can also lead to greater self-understanding, heightened self-acceptance, improved relationships with others and greater control over your life.

I know things are difficult at the moment with Covid-19 so I’m here to help if you need support. If you’re interested please get in touch and let me know how I can help. I offer a friendly and confidential one-to-one counselling service supporting adults, young people, and children with a variety of issues using an integrative approach.

When counselling I use an integrative approach that encompasses different therapies such as person-centred, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, solution-focused therapies, hypnotherapy, creative, and play therapy. I find this then gives clients a tool box of skills that they can use, rather than just one approach.

I will be empathic, honest, and non-judgemental during our sessions. As well as my private practice, I work for Respect For All who specialise in counselling adults and children with autism. I have previously worked as a school and college counsellor.

I am a qualified Counselling Psychotherapist and an accredited member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP).  As an accredited member I am recognise as having achieved a high standard of knowledge, experience and development in counselling and psychotherapy.  I keep myself informed of up to date research and continue to develop my own skills and understanding through CPD courses and further training.

With a deep curiosity and desire to understand my own mind and experiences I have undertaken many processes of  personal and academic development.  I am interested in the variety of ways in which to understand how we function, interact and adapt as human beings.

Through my natural analytic way of thinking  I have sought (and continue to seek) to understand the different ways we perceive, understand and manage life experiences, both those of our mind and that of the external world.   This understanding is derived from intense and thorough vocational training; obtaining broad academic qualifications in psychotherapy, counselling and psychology; and from my own therapy and analysis.    I believe in the importance of relational work and see the foundation of any therapeutic healing to be grounded in the relationship with have with ourselves and with others.  This is complexly combined with our neurological, biological, cognitive and psychological composition, which all intertwine with our environmental experiences.

In every individual there is the capacity to adapt, develop and evolve and I believe we all have the ability to create an environment which enables us to manage life’s challenges and continue to develop in the face of them.  We work within the boundaries of our unique psychological make-up using the resources we naturally have and obtaining those we don’t in order to function and grow.  This process begins with recognising that every individual has a choice and in every choice there is a consequence.  Ultimately, one’s choices will determine how one lives life.  Investing in yourself, believing that you are worth the same as another, and creating an internal and external environment which supports you in times of crisis or injury as well as those of development and growth is key to the therapeutic process.

My name is Alva Spencer, I am the director of dearalva the Psychological therapy and counselling service. I am currently based in the ​​​​Greater Manchester area as a therapist, delivering face to face sessions, video calls and private phone calls.

I completed my Clinical and Pastoral Counselling Skills Level 6 course at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2007. I am also registered member of the BACP.​​​​​​​​​
 

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Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile.

Many of us struggle to find balance in life sometimes, for a number of reasons and this can sometimes cause us pain, frustration and unhealthy patterns.
Does change feel hard? Connect with new possibilities; sometimes it can be easier with support

When I am not working, I am likely to be practising my own self-care. I began Pilates and mindfulness due to my own long term health condition and have reaped the benefits. I love nothing more, than to enjoy the peace that living by the sea or driving to the nearby countryside brings, enjoying whatever is around me. My family and friends are a hugely important part of my life and I spend as much time as possible with them.

Free yourself from Stress, Anxiety and Depression the natural way. Learn how to get on track and stay on track with a solution focused toolkit for life! I can help you resolve mental health issues, overcome life challenges and achieve your goals.

I have been practising a variety of Holistic and Mental Health Therapies for more than twenty years.

Specialist in Online Therapy – Skype, Zoom or easy access video link (no software needed).

Telephone consultations are also available.

IT’S SO SIMPLE

My Online Clinic is open Monday to Friday.

Choose a time convenient for you.

Book a session by clicking the Inquire Talk link. 

You’ll receive a confirmation email.

You don’t need to leave your own home. 

At the appointment time, just click the link we email you and you’re in!

HOW IT WORKS

The first session is an Initial Consultation, where I will take notes that include what issues or challenges are being experienced and what goals you’d like to achieve along with some medical details and other relevant information.  I will then explain how the brain works and how these issues arise and, most importantly, what can be done. You will very quickly learn how you can get on track and stay on track. Ongoing sessions are a combination of talking therapies, relaxation and guided visualisation according to your needs and choices.

 WHAT I DO

According to your needs and wishes, I offer an integrative programme of

– Counselling

– Advanced Medical Hypnotherapy

– Clinical Psychotherapy

– SFBT (Solution Focused Brief Therapy)

– CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

– NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming)

– Solution Focused Mindfulness

– The latest research-based and clinically-proven neuroscience

 ISSUES TREATED INCLUDE

– Stress

– Anxiety

– Depression

– Relaxation

– Smoking Cessation

– Weight Control

– Anorexia, Bulimia and Eating Disorders

– IBS and Digestion Problems

– Grief and Bereavement

– Alzheimer’s and Dementia

– MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)

– Concentration and Memory

– Confidence and Self Esteem

– Public Speaking

– Motivation and Inspiration

– Sport Performance

– Stage and Screen Performance

– Academic Performance

– Writing and Creative Block

– Migraines and Headaches

– Pain Management

– Fibromyalgia Syndrome

– Fatigue and Exhaustion

– Blood Pressure

– Workplace Stress

– Insomnia and Sleep Issues

– Self Esteem

– Child and Teen Issues

– Student and Exam Stress

– Phobias and Fears

– Driving Anxiety

– OCD and Compulsions

– Obsessive Thinking and Paranoia

– Panic Attacks and Nerves

– Nightmares and Flashbacks

– PTSD and Other Trauma

– Eczema, Psoriasis and Skin Issues

– Anger Management

– Road Rage

– Addictions and Detox

– Relationship Difficulties

– Sexual Problems

– Fertility, Pregnancy and Childbirth Solution Focused Hypnobirthing

– Post Natal Depression

– Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms

– Post Operation Recovery

– Cancer (Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Support)

– Cancer (Palliative Care)

– Life Coaching and Manifestation

– Many other issues and challenges

I am professionally registered with:

– Welldoing (NHS Choices)

– CNHC (Complementary and Natural healthcare Council

– UK Government Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register

– NCH (National Council Hypnotherapy)

– AfSFH (Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy)

I have been a counsellor for over 20 years, working with people of all ages and from many different social and cultural backgrounds. I love working online because it brings a clear and powerful focus to communication, supporting the positive changes my clients are seeking to make in their lives.

I have worked in education and counselling for most of my working life, beginning as a teacher in adult and further education, then as a university lecturer, a head of department and wellbeing services manager. I have worked as a counsellor since 1999. I am a big music fan, an animal lover, traveller and an outdoorsy person – but I love cities too! I really enjoy my counselling work because I love people. We are all so different – and yet we share that essential thing of being human and living in this extraordinary, beautiful and sometimes cruel and terrifying world. If you choose to work with me, I will do my utmost to help you, to respect your uniqueness as a person, and to be with you in working through whatever issues your bring to the counselling sessions.

Hi there and thanks for looking at my info page.

I have over twenty years experience in successfully supporting people to reach their full potential across a wide range of differing needs and issues.

I specialise in anxiety related issues, including fears, phobias, panic attacks, general anxiety along with relationship, employment or personal issues – I work with you to overcome anything that stops you being who you want to be!

The success of my approach is that its  ‘Fast and Solution Focused’.  What this means is, whilst acknowledging and validating your experience or issues, our focus is on finding a fast, effective and lasting solution that sets you free from what holds you back.

Having personally experienced anxiety related conditions in my younger life, and from many years working with clients who had a range of health and anxiety related conditions, I  understand how you feel and look forwards to working with you to overcome issues that hold you back from being who you want to be.

I am trained in a variety of different talking therapies including Hypnotherapy, Cognitive approaches, NLP, One to One WSN Counselling & Mindfulness; these approaches enable me to offer a unique approach that is tailor made specifically for you, and not a one size fits all… its as unique as you are!

All appointments are totally confidential, and I abide by a strict code of ethics in our practice. NCP– CHNC Code of Conduct

I am fully accredited and registered with a range of professional organisation’s for your assurance, these include the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council and the National Society of Psychotherapists (UK)

I’m a UKCP registered Psychotherapist with a body oriented approach. More than 20 years of experience have given me time to acquire a variety of tools and insight into many approaches to meet the needs of each client in an individual way that respects each person’s own wisdom towards healing.

Main specialities are trauma, depression, anxiety, spiritual development, anger management, berievement among many others.

I work online and face to face and the body oriented aspect can be practised surprisingly well via video links – I’m myself receiving support and supervision in this way.

I’m a psychodynamic and body oriented psychotherapist with my a practice in Penzance, Cornwall. Genuine compassion, kindness, mindfulness, contact, depth, kind confrontation and humour are some keys to describe the way I work. The aim is to build a trusting relationship that creates a sense of deep safety and can also withstand a challenge if that might be needed.

Sometimes words are not enough or cannot reach the place that wants to be reached. The way I integrate talking therapy and the body oriented approach depends on each individual client and their specific needs. With some clients I ‘only’ talk, but I will alwyas encourage mindfulness of breath and body.

Body oriented psychotherapy has proven most helpful for trauma, anxiety and panic disorders and depression. If you are feeling sad, experiencing relationship issues or just having a hard time feeling overwhelmed with life, your children or an illness, there will be a way forward.

Is it for you?

If you have been in therapy and found that just talking didn’t get you to the place you needed to go …
If you have ever craved for a therapy that gives you the space and the guidance to go deep and express, what feels unexpressable…
If you have noticed that when you feel depressed or anxious your body also seems to be suffering like IBS, being tense or aching

…then a body oriented approach might just be what you have been looking for. Our body is a miracle. It houses our personality, our spirit and our soul. Whatever we do or whatever happens to one of these aspects is intrinsically linked with the others.

What happens during treatment?

Talking is still a main tool in my therapy practice. But alongside the mind with its capacity to articulate and analyse, I will invite the whole of your Being to be present. We will work with body awareness, learning how to sense what your body feels like and to notice its messages. In order to do that I might invite you to close your eyes, deepen your breath or if appropriate to lie down. We might do specific exercises to support your grounding or the way you set boundaries. It is absolutely possible to do this via video link.

The only think we cannot do via video link is this: Sometimes I use touch (only in agreement with the client)  and I might use a particular massage: Biodynamic Massage, also called Gerda Boyesen Method. It is a  very therapeutic massage, that has been especially developed to work with the mind/body connection.

Essence – Simply Being – or: who are we really?

When we embark in deep psychotherapy, sometimes we find ourselves on the path of spiritual growth and a search for our true self. Metaphysical questions might open up and the journey becomes its own purpose. Spiritual development and coaching can be part of a treatment agreement. Mindfulness techniques and Meditation are both very nourishing for the soul and the nervous system and can take us beyond the realm of the thinking mind into Simply Being.

About myself

Born in 1960 I grew up in Germany near the French border. In 2002 I came to Cornwall. I work in private practice in Penzance and for Occupational Health, RCHT Truro. I have over 20years experience and still love it.
I’m passionate about spiritual development. I’m a Buddhist and a student of the Ridhwan school. I’m a  trained Yoga teacher and I have a degree in Social Anthropology, I care for the planet and I support  multiculturalism. I love humour, nature and the arts. Walking, painting and dancing are favorites. All the ‘hard facts’ like membership bodies and training you will find further down in my profile.

Thank you for reading this. I appreciate that you are taking the time.