Alan Bennett-Law

I am an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist, an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner and Senior Accredited Counsellor with BACP and NCPS. I have worked in counselling and psychotherapy since 1996 and have maintained my private practice since 2002. I now focus on providing confidential online therapy to adults across the UK.

Over many years, I have supported people experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, bereavement and loss, low self-esteem, relationship difficulties and substance-related problems. My professional experience includes private practice, Employee Assistance Programmes, NHS services, drug and alcohol services, eating disorder services and forensic settings.

I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative and tailored to the individual. I therefore draw on a range of therapeutic approaches rather than expecting one model to fit everyone. My core training is in systemic and integrative therapy, with further training in CBT, ACT, DBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, existential and psychodynamic approaches.

As an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, I have undertaken extensive EMDR training beyond the core accredited programme, including specialist training in attachment-informed EMDR, compassion-focused EMDR, advanced EMDR techniques, moral injury and shame-based trauma, suicidality, chronic pain and adapting EMDR for neurodivergent clients.

I aim to offer a safe, respectful and non-judgemental space where you can explore what is troubling you and develop a clearer understanding of yourself and your experiences. I listen carefully to what you need and work with you at a pace that feels manageable.

Alongside my clinical work, I have experience as a clinical supervisor, counselling educator and professional trainer. I remain committed to continuing professional development and maintaining high professional standards.

If you are considering online therapy, I offer a free initial consultation of up to 20 minutes to discuss what you are looking for and whether I may be able to help.

I am an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist with a career spanning more than 25 years. I have worked in counselling since 1996 and have maintained my private practice since 2002, supporting adults with a wide range of emotional, psychological and relational difficulties.

I am a Senior Accredited Counsellor with BACP and NCPS and an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner. My core professional training includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Systemic Theory (Merit) and Postgraduate Certificate in Systemic Theory from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, together with a University Advanced Diploma in the Theory and Skills of CBT from the University of Derby.

My earlier counselling training includes a Diploma in Humanistic Counselling, Certificate in Counselling and Certificate in Loss and Bereavement. I also hold a Certificate in Education from the University of Greenwich, reflecting my experience in counselling education, supervision and professional training.

My EMDR training includes the full four-part EMDR Europe accredited programme, followed by continuing specialist training in attachment-informed EMDR, compassion-focused EMDR, advanced EMDR techniques, EMDR and suicidality, moral injury and shame-based trauma, chronic pain, and EMDR for neurodivergent clients.

My wider continuing professional development includes training in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, addictions, critical incident processing, supervision, safeguarding and risk assessment.

My professional experience has included private practice, Employee Assistance Programmes, NHS services, drug and alcohol services, eating disorder services and forensic settings, including probation and prison environments. I have also provided counselling to hospital staff and have experience supporting clients from diverse cultural and social backgrounds.

Alongside clinical practice, I have worked as a clinical supervisor, counselling course leader, educator and professional workshop facilitator.

I maintain ongoing CPD and professional standards, hold professional indemnity insurance and an Enhanced DBS certificate, and work in accordance with relevant professional, ethical and confidentiality requirements.

My principal specialism is EMDR and trauma therapy. As an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, I provide online EMDR therapy to adults across the UK, using a carefully paced and individualised approach. I have extensive experience supporting people affected by trauma, PTSD and distressing experiences that continue to influence their emotional wellbeing, relationships, self-esteem and sense of safety.

My EMDR training extends beyond the core accredited programme and includes specialist training in attachment-informed EMDR, compassion-focused EMDR, advanced EMDR techniques, EMDR and suicidality, moral injury and shame-based trauma, chronic pain, and adapting EMDR for neurodivergent clients.

Alongside EMDR, my areas of experience include:

Trauma and PTSD, including complex and developmental trauma

Anxiety, depression and emotional distress

Bereavement, grief and loss

Low self-esteem, shame and self-worth

Relationship and attachment difficulties

Neurodivergence, including adapting therapeutic approaches to individual needs

Substance misuse and addictive behaviours

Difficult life experiences and significant transitions

Stress and emotional overwhelm

My approach is integrative, drawing on systemic therapy, CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, ACT, DBT, existential and psychodynamic approaches alongside EMDR. This allows me to consider the wider context of your experiences and to adapt therapy according to your needs rather than relying on one therapeutic model.

I also have extensive professional experience across private practice, Employee Assistance Programmes, NHS services, drug and alcohol services, eating disorder services and forensic settings.

I work collaboratively and sensitively, recognising that everyone's circumstances and responses to difficult experiences are different. My aim is to provide a safe, respectful and non-judgemental therapeutic environment in which you can explore what is troubling you and work towards meaningful change.

I currently focus on confidential online therapy across the UK, with EMDR offered following an initial assessment of suitability.

I believe therapy works best when it is collaborative, respectful and tailored to you as an individual. There is no single approach that works for everyone, so I take time to understand your experiences, relationships, circumstances and what you would like to achieve from therapy.

My approach is integrative and systemic, drawing on EMDR, CBT, Compassion Focused Therapy, ACT, DBT, existential and psychodynamic approaches. This enables me to adapt the way I work according to your needs, whether you are looking for focused support with a particular difficulty or longer-term therapy to explore deeper patterns and experiences.

As an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, EMDR is an important part of my practice, particularly when working with trauma and distressing experiences. I do not assume that EMDR is appropriate for everyone. Where it is indicated, I place considerable emphasis on assessment, preparation, safety and stabilisation before trauma processing begins. We work at a pace that feels manageable, and you remain involved in decisions about your therapy throughout.

I aim to create a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about difficult experiences without feeling judged. I will listen carefully and work collaboratively with you to understand what may be maintaining your difficulties and what might help you move forward.

I recognise that people can be affected by experiences in different ways and that difficulties may be connected to relationships, attachment, past experiences, beliefs, emotions and current circumstances. My systemic and integrative training allows me to consider this wider context rather than focusing only on symptoms.

I offer confidential online therapy to adults across the UK. Sessions can be short-term and focused or longer-term, depending on your needs and goals.

My aim is not simply to provide a set of techniques, but to develop a therapeutic relationship in which you feel heard, understood, respected and actively involved in your therapy.