Andrew Hapeshi

Welcome. If you have made it to my page, I’m guessing that something is occurring for you that is in need of some attention. It could be that you are struggling to cope with an aspect of your life, or that you want to add therapy to your well-being routine as you might with exercise or healthy eating. In my eyes, there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ reasons for seeking counselling – it can be extremely helpful at any time.

In saying that, however, I also recognise that the prospect of therapy can leave some people a little nervous. Perhaps there is a fear of being judged or rejected? Or maybe there is a past experience that feels too painful to revisit? On top of that, if you have never had counselling before, you may be feeling unsure about what to expect. These are all natural responses, and I will always aim to meet you in a way that helps you feel settled and able to express yourself freely.

Developing a trusting and safe relationship is central to my practice, and it is important to me that therapy moves at a pace that suits you – this is a process in which nothing needs to be rushed. Together, we can journey towards offloading pent up emotions, processing difficult experiences, and empowering you to live your best life.

Areas I work with

• Abuse (sexual and physical)
• Aloneness and belonging
• Anxiety and stress
• Career issues
• Depression
• Existential crisis
• General well-being
• Intersectionality and identity conflict
• Loss and bereavement
• Relationships – romantic partners, family issues, friendships, colleagues
• Social injustices – racism, classism, etc
• Substance misuse
• Suicidal ideation and self-harm
• Trauma

Qualifications and Training

I trained at the Minster Centre in North West London, and have a Diploma in Integrative Counselling. Whilst training, I provided my services to the NHS and charity sector. These roles included both time-limited and open-ended counselling relationships – with my charity work having an emphasis on supporting people who were experiencing suicidal thoughts, had recently attempted to end their lives, or were self-harming. I have also undertaken further training in trauma processing; working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse; family and belonging; and diversity.

I additionally attend regular supervision and professional development seminars to enhance my services. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and abide by their code of ethics.

Working integratively means I am guided by multiple counselling ideologies. These include object relations theory, attachment theory, person-centred counselling, gestalt therapy, body psychotherapy, and existentialism. I believe my integrative style helps me attune to the specific needs of each person I journey alongside because there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to therapy. I am also relationally orientated, and seek to create a unique dynamic with each of my clients that is both creative and collaborative. Personal qualities I bring to the counselling setting include compassion, sensitivity, curiosity, reliability, and authenticity.