Counselling in AL1
My clients are as diverse as the world in which we live and I endeavour to be culturally aware within my practice. I specialise within anxiety, mood disorders, and spiritual growth. My areas of work include depression, stress, bereavement and grief, anxiety, panic, phobias, self-esteem, self-worth, confidence, body image, eating disorders, suicidality and self-harming behaviours, family and relationship issues, trauma, and abuse (not an exhaustive list). The unique nature of therapy means that it can be time-limited or may be open-ended, it may be goal orientated or more flexibly experienced, we will work together to decide.
My clients are as diverse as the world in which we live and I endeavour to be culturally aware within my practice. I specialise within anxiety, mood disorders, and spiritual growth. My areas of work include depression, stress, bereavement and grief, anxiety, panic, phobias, self-esteem, self-worth, confidence, body image, eating disorders, suicidality and self-harming behaviours, family and relationship issues, trauma, and abuse (not an exhaustive list). The unique nature of therapy means that it can be time-limited or may be open-ended, it may be goal orientated or more flexibly experienced, we will work together to decide.
People come to therapy for many different reasons. You may be experiencing emotional difficulties or feeling stuck in patterns and behaviours that no longer feel helpful. You may be adjusting to a change in your life, struggling with relationships, or finding it difficult to make sense of how you’re feeling. I work with clients to explore these difficulties in a compassionate and supportive way. I understand that coming to therapy can feel daunting. My priority is to provide a non-judgemental environment where you can feel safe, heard, and understood.
People come to therapy for many different reasons. You may be experiencing emotional difficulties or feeling stuck in patterns and behaviours that no longer feel helpful. You may be adjusting to a change in your life, struggling with relationships, or finding it difficult to make sense of how you’re feeling. I work with clients to explore these difficulties in a compassionate and supportive way. I understand that coming to therapy can feel daunting. My priority is to provide a non-judgemental environment where you can feel safe, heard, and understood.
Are you struggling with anxiety? Entering a new stage of life and finding it discomforting? Thinking about your relationship with alcohol? Or maybe you’re on the waiting list for ADHD diagnosis and treatment and want to sort out how you can help yourself in the meantime.
We are all searching to be heard and understood. I’ll be by your side to provide a safe space as you build your self-understanding.
My previous experiences include working with substance abuse, diagnosed major mental illness, and chronic illness.
Are you struggling with anxiety? Entering a new stage of life and finding it discomforting? Thinking about your relationship with alcohol? Or maybe you’re on the waiting list for ADHD diagnosis and treatment and want to sort out how you can help yourself in the meantime.
We are all searching to be heard and understood. I’ll be by your side to provide a safe space as you build your self-understanding.
My previous experiences include working with substance abuse, diagnosed major mental illness, and chronic illness.
I am a UKCP accredited and BACP registered psychotherapist and counsellor working in St Albans and online. As a relational integrative therapist I draw on different therapeutic models to tailor my approach to what works best for you, rather than following a rigid formula. As research shows, the quality of the relationship between client and therapist is a key factor in meaningful change. From this perspective, I offer a space that is non-judgmental, warm, and entirely focused on you. My role is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions at your own pace and to help you reconnect to what matters most to you.
I am a UKCP accredited and BACP registered psychotherapist and counsellor working in St Albans and online. As a relational integrative therapist I draw on different therapeutic models to tailor my approach to what works best for you, rather than following a rigid formula. As research shows, the quality of the relationship between client and therapist is a key factor in meaningful change. From this perspective, I offer a space that is non-judgmental, warm, and entirely focused on you. My role is to help you explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions at your own pace and to help you reconnect to what matters most to you.
You may be going through a time of difficulty or distress. Or perhaps there is some dissatisfaction in your life and you have lost a sense of purpose or direction. My aim is to help you reflect on what is troubling you, help you to seek an understanding of what you are experiencing and work with you to explore what options there are at this difficult time. I offer both short-term work (based on 12 sessions) or where appropriate sessions based on an open-ended long-term basis.
You may be going through a time of difficulty or distress. Or perhaps there is some dissatisfaction in your life and you have lost a sense of purpose or direction. My aim is to help you reflect on what is troubling you, help you to seek an understanding of what you are experiencing and work with you to explore what options there are at this difficult time. I offer both short-term work (based on 12 sessions) or where appropriate sessions based on an open-ended long-term basis.
I am a BABCP accredited CBT therapist with extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety and depression both in the NHS as well as privately. In my practice I work together with clients to offer support for a range of anxiety disorders including social anxiety, health anxiety, treatment of phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic attacks, OCD and Generalised anxiety as well as difficulties with low mood. An area of particular interest for me is offering support to women and men who may struggle during the perinatal period. Having a baby is an exciting
I am a BABCP accredited CBT therapist with extensive experience supporting clients with anxiety and depression both in the NHS as well as privately. In my practice I work together with clients to offer support for a range of anxiety disorders including social anxiety, health anxiety, treatment of phobias, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic attacks, OCD and Generalised anxiety as well as difficulties with low mood. An area of particular interest for me is offering support to women and men who may struggle during the perinatal period. Having a baby is an exciting
Sometimes, we find ourselves struggling with difficult situations or points in our life. We may be feeling a multitude of emotions that may feel difficult, hard to understand and perhaps overwhelming. There may be changes in your relationships, personal changes or adjustments in your situation that left you struggling to understand or cope with. Sometimes things knock us off kilter and a trusting space to express ourselves and explore can help us to regain our stability.
Sometimes, we find ourselves struggling with difficult situations or points in our life. We may be feeling a multitude of emotions that may feel difficult, hard to understand and perhaps overwhelming. There may be changes in your relationships, personal changes or adjustments in your situation that left you struggling to understand or cope with. Sometimes things knock us off kilter and a trusting space to express ourselves and explore can help us to regain our stability.
Are you fed up with feeling like something in your life isn’t working?
Are your days filled by constant stress and never ending to-do lists?
Do you spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think and how to make them happy?
And when you try to fall asleep at night…
Do you replay everything you could have done differently?
Do you think about all the things you HAVE to do tomorrow?
Do you question whether all you’re doing is even enough?
When things aren’t working…
You feel powerless and out of control
You feel stuck and frustrated.
You feel overwhelmed and burned out.
Are you fed up with feeling like something in your life isn’t working?
Are your days filled by constant stress and never ending to-do lists?
Do you spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think and how to make them happy?
And when you try to fall asleep at night…
Do you replay everything you could have done differently?
Do you think about all the things you HAVE to do tomorrow?
Do you question whether all you’re doing is even enough?
When things aren’t working…
You feel powerless and out of control
You feel stuck and frustrated.
You feel overwhelmed and burned out.
Welcome. My name is Sarah. I'm a Clinical Psychologist and accredited EMDR practitioner. I've worked in both the NHS and private sectors for over 20 years. I specialise in women's mental health and work across the lifespan. I predominantly help and support women who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, both past and present. My area of expertise is the perinatal period. This can be a challenging time and I can support you with the changes in identity and adjustment to parenthood. I also work with women around birth trauma, miscarriage and loss. Working with couples and families when appropriate.
Welcome. My name is Sarah. I'm a Clinical Psychologist and accredited EMDR practitioner. I've worked in both the NHS and private sectors for over 20 years. I specialise in women's mental health and work across the lifespan. I predominantly help and support women who are struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma, both past and present. My area of expertise is the perinatal period. This can be a challenging time and I can support you with the changes in identity and adjustment to parenthood. I also work with women around birth trauma, miscarriage and loss. Working with couples and families when appropriate.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or weighed down by depression after a difficult life event or relationship struggle? Perhaps you’re stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand — reacting strongly, shutting down, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others. You don’t have to keep navigating this alone.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or weighed down by depression after a difficult life event or relationship struggle? Perhaps you’re stuck in patterns you don’t fully understand — reacting strongly, shutting down, or feeling disconnected from yourself or others. You don’t have to keep navigating this alone.
You may be feeling unheard, disconnected, or anxious in your relationship. wondering how things got here and unsure how to move forward. Maybe there’s been a breakdown of trust, a repeating pattern, or emotional distance that’s hard to bridge. Whether you’re an individual or a couple, you’re longing for clarity, connection, and a calmer space to explore your relationship. If that sounds like you, I can help.
You may be feeling unheard, disconnected, or anxious in your relationship. wondering how things got here and unsure how to move forward. Maybe there’s been a breakdown of trust, a repeating pattern, or emotional distance that’s hard to bridge. Whether you’re an individual or a couple, you’re longing for clarity, connection, and a calmer space to explore your relationship. If that sounds like you, I can help.
I work with children and young people, specialising in anxiety and OCD. I help them learn new skills and attitudes to improve their ability to handle difficult thoughts and feelings and do more of what matters to them and make more room for connection. Mental health challenges encroach on their lives, make them avoid and make their world smaller. They disconnect from themselves, the things they care about and the people that matter to them. They underestimate their strengths and resources, overestimate life’s challenges and get stuck.
I regularly run group coaching programmes for parents, please enquire for details.
I work with children and young people, specialising in anxiety and OCD. I help them learn new skills and attitudes to improve their ability to handle difficult thoughts and feelings and do more of what matters to them and make more room for connection. Mental health challenges encroach on their lives, make them avoid and make their world smaller. They disconnect from themselves, the things they care about and the people that matter to them. They underestimate their strengths and resources, overestimate life’s challenges and get stuck.
I regularly run group coaching programmes for parents, please enquire for details.
You might be someone who’s thoughtful and self-aware, yet still feel stuck, lost, or disconnected. On the surface, things may look fine, but something doesn’t sit right. You may be navigating a transition, questioning who you are, or wanting more depth and meaning in your life. You’ve likely tried to make sense of things on your own. Here, we slow down, explore what’s going on beneath the surface, and begin to find a way forward that feels more true to you.
You might be someone who’s thoughtful and self-aware, yet still feel stuck, lost, or disconnected. On the surface, things may look fine, but something doesn’t sit right. You may be navigating a transition, questioning who you are, or wanting more depth and meaning in your life. You’ve likely tried to make sense of things on your own. Here, we slow down, explore what’s going on beneath the surface, and begin to find a way forward that feels more true to you.
Dr Annie McHugh
Psychologist, PsychD, HCPC - Clin. Psych.
1 Endorsed
Serves Area
Not accepting new clients
Hello, I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 13 years of experience specialising in working with adults, children, young people and their families. I help people to make sense of any challenges they are facing and support people experiencing a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, low mood, worries and fears, difficulties with behaviour and relationships, coping with life events and sleep problems. I offer an integrative approach informed by evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Narrative therapy, the Solihull Approach and Systemic approaches.
Hello, I am a Senior Clinical Psychologist with over 13 years of experience specialising in working with adults, children, young people and their families. I help people to make sense of any challenges they are facing and support people experiencing a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, low mood, worries and fears, difficulties with behaviour and relationships, coping with life events and sleep problems. I offer an integrative approach informed by evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Narrative therapy, the Solihull Approach and Systemic approaches.
Are you frustrated because you're not achieving those goals you’ve setting? Do you want to make big changes in your life but it feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start? Or maybe you just feel that there’s something else out there for you, if only you could work out what is was.
I’ve been through all of these and know how it can make you feel like you’re never going to have the life you want and eroding your self-confidence. Part of the reason I became a coaching psychologist was to find out the science behind thriving and how to achieve sustainable change in our lives – both big and small.
Are you frustrated because you're not achieving those goals you’ve setting? Do you want to make big changes in your life but it feels overwhelming and you don’t know where to start? Or maybe you just feel that there’s something else out there for you, if only you could work out what is was.
I’ve been through all of these and know how it can make you feel like you’re never going to have the life you want and eroding your self-confidence. Part of the reason I became a coaching psychologist was to find out the science behind thriving and how to achieve sustainable change in our lives – both big and small.
Are you looking for an exciting and challenging space for self exploration, growth, and development? If so, the comprehensive INSIGHT self-discovery programmes are for you. Gain all-round and in-depth insight into who you are, how you've developed, your current and past relationships, and where you are heading. The INSIGHT programmes have been built to provide more structure, guidance, intensity, and rapid self discovery to allow you to reach your potential. To find out more, including the difference between the INSIGHT programmes and unstructured/open-ended therapy sessions, visit darylnicholas.com/insightprogrammes
Are you looking for an exciting and challenging space for self exploration, growth, and development? If so, the comprehensive INSIGHT self-discovery programmes are for you. Gain all-round and in-depth insight into who you are, how you've developed, your current and past relationships, and where you are heading. The INSIGHT programmes have been built to provide more structure, guidance, intensity, and rapid self discovery to allow you to reach your potential. To find out more, including the difference between the INSIGHT programmes and unstructured/open-ended therapy sessions, visit darylnicholas.com/insightprogrammes
I’m a therapist specialising in confidence, social anxiety (including public speaking anxiety) and visibility. I work with thoughtful clients who look accomplished on the outside — but behind the scenes, anxiety is calling the shots.
That anxiety might show up before big meetings.
In group settings where you feel on display.
Or in those quiet moments of overthinking, second-guessing, and wondering, “Am I really good enough to be here?”
Many of my clients are professionals, creatives or entrepreneurs. They’ve learned how to perform confidence — but it still feels effortful, and often exhausting, and doesn't eliminate anxiety.
I’m a therapist specialising in confidence, social anxiety (including public speaking anxiety) and visibility. I work with thoughtful clients who look accomplished on the outside — but behind the scenes, anxiety is calling the shots.
That anxiety might show up before big meetings.
In group settings where you feel on display.
Or in those quiet moments of overthinking, second-guessing, and wondering, “Am I really good enough to be here?”
Many of my clients are professionals, creatives or entrepreneurs. They’ve learned how to perform confidence — but it still feels effortful, and often exhausting, and doesn't eliminate anxiety.
Hi, I'm Denise and I work with many people who look like they’re coping. They’re capable, often the person everyone else leans on. But, internally, they’re exhausted and they can’t quite explain it to themselves. They're tired, battling insomnia, feeling stuck, anxious or stressed.
I specialise in helping busy millennials worry less and sleep better, so that they have enough energy to perform and live at their best, without guilt or overwhelm.
Working together, they start to feel more energised, confident, focused to drive their careers, and feeling in control. They wake up rested and refreshed so they can enjoy life more fully.
Hi, I'm Denise and I work with many people who look like they’re coping. They’re capable, often the person everyone else leans on. But, internally, they’re exhausted and they can’t quite explain it to themselves. They're tired, battling insomnia, feeling stuck, anxious or stressed.
I specialise in helping busy millennials worry less and sleep better, so that they have enough energy to perform and live at their best, without guilt or overwhelm.
Working together, they start to feel more energised, confident, focused to drive their careers, and feeling in control. They wake up rested and refreshed so they can enjoy life more fully.
You may look like you’re coping on the outside, but inside you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally exhausted. Perhaps anxiety, trauma, relationship patterns, identity struggles, or life transitions keep repeating in ways you can’t fully explain. You want more than symptom relief — you want understanding, clarity, and lasting change. You’re ready to explore the roots of your difficulties, build emotional resilience, and respond to life with confidence rather than reaction.
You may look like you’re coping on the outside, but inside you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or emotionally exhausted. Perhaps anxiety, trauma, relationship patterns, identity struggles, or life transitions keep repeating in ways you can’t fully explain. You want more than symptom relief — you want understanding, clarity, and lasting change. You’re ready to explore the roots of your difficulties, build emotional resilience, and respond to life with confidence rather than reaction.
Welcome to my counselling practice, where I see individuals, couples and supervisees. I'm an accredited member of the BACP, and my approach is embodied, relational, experiential. By that I mean I aim to welcome everything about you, meet your more fully in relationship, and create a safe space for whatever you need to explore, such as… • anxiety • depression • trauma • family / relationship issues • sexuality • low self-esteem • suicidal feelings • stress or anger • work problems • affects of abuse and neglect • bereavement • spiritual emergency / integration
Welcome to my counselling practice, where I see individuals, couples and supervisees. I'm an accredited member of the BACP, and my approach is embodied, relational, experiential. By that I mean I aim to welcome everything about you, meet your more fully in relationship, and create a safe space for whatever you need to explore, such as… • anxiety • depression • trauma • family / relationship issues • sexuality • low self-esteem • suicidal feelings • stress or anger • work problems • affects of abuse and neglect • bereavement • spiritual emergency / integration
How does your Counsellor compare?
Number of Counsellors in AL1
100+
Average cost per session
£80
Counsellors in AL1 who prioritize treating:
| 93% | Anxiety |
| 88% | Depression |
| 83% | Self Esteem |
| 74% | Stress |
| 72% | Relationship Issues |
| 64% | Trauma and PTSD |
| 55% | Bereavement |
Average years in practice
11 Years
Top 3 insurances accepted
| 72% | Aviva |
| 63% | WPA |
| 61% | Bupa |
How Counsellors in AL1 see their clients
| 83% | In Person and Online | |
| 17% | Online Only |
Gender breakdown
| 79% | Female | |
| 21% | Male |