Dr Helen Ainley, Counselling Psychologist, BA, BSc, DPsych
“I commit to taking you seriously, honouring your fears, meeting your feelings with compassion, and supporting you as you move toward a more authentic, grounded version of yourself.”
Location:
10 Harley Street
London W1G 9PF
or
Sessions online
Fee: £125
I’m a Counselling Psychologist who believes that therapy should feel human, grounded, and genuinely attuned to you. My work is centred on meeting you exactly as you are, without judgement, without assumptions, and without forcing you into a model that doesn’t fit. I’m here to listen closely, think with you, and help you make sense of what it’s like to be you.
My Approach
My training spans relational, psychodynamic, existential, and CBT-based approaches, and I draw on each depending on what you bring. I don’t believe in a one‑size‑fits‑all method. Instead, I work collaboratively, responding to your needs, your pace, and your way of being.
At the heart of our work will be a human-to-human relationship: you sharing openly, and me listening to understand. Together, we’ll explore what feels difficult, what feels stuck, and what feels possible. Whether you’re seeking short-term support or a deeper exploration of long-standing patterns, our sessions will be shaped around you.
I commit to taking you seriously, honouring your fears, meeting your feelings with compassion, and supporting you as you move toward a more authentic, grounded version of yourself.
Who I Work With
People often come to me when they sense that something in their life needs to shift, when coping is no longer enough, or when they feel ready to understand themselves more deeply. You may be navigating a major life transition, feeling disconnected from who you are, or wanting to live more truthfully and with greater ease.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, capable, and outwardly functioning, yet internally struggling with questions of meaning, identity, or emotional pain. You might be at a crossroads, renegotiating your life, or facing the daunting but hopeful possibility of living in a way that truly serves you.
Issues I Work With
I work with a wide range of emotional and psychological experiences, including:
- Grief, loss, and pre‑bereavement
- Meaning, identity, and existential concerns
- Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm
- Low mood, disconnection, and feeling “stuck”
- Relationship and attachment difficulties
- Life transitions and questions of authenticity
- The emotional impact of high‑pressure roles
- Suicidal feelings and experiences of hopelessness
My work in palliative care also informs a deep sensitivity to the complexities of mortality, caregiving, anticipatory grief, and the search for meaning during profound life moments.
Experience
I hold a Doctorate in Counselling Psychology and am accredited by the HCPC (PYL045265). My professional background spans the NHS, private practice, and third‑sector organisations. I’ve worked with FTSE 100 companies as well as small start-ups, giving me insight into the pressures of corporate and entrepreneurial environments.
For over a decade, I volunteered with Samaritans, and I spent several years at The Listening Place supporting people who felt life was no longer worth living. I currently work in NHS palliative care with patients, carers, and relatives, specialising in grief, pre‑bereavement, and the exploration of meaning.
Accreditations and Memberships:
Dr Helen Ainley is registered with the following Health Providers:
Contact us…
If you would like a brief call with the therapist, need a concession or would like to ask any questions before booking email us at info@harleystreet-practitioners.co.uk or call 020 8962 6247
