Disclaimer: we have not been a client with any of the below therapists, so cannot comment on how disability affirming these therapists are. Do let us know if you don’t have a good experience.
Check Credentials:
Be aware that anyone in the UK can call themselves a ‘therapist’ or ‘counsellor’ because it is not a legally regulated term like ‘Doctor’ for example. We recommend checking someone has completed a minimum level 4 qualification that was a minimum of 450 hours, has completed some personal therapy and ask what their disability experience is. COVID-19: most therapists are now working online or by phone as well as in person, we suggest you check they have had training in delivering therapy remotely as this is different from in person support.
Are you a disability affirmative therapist?
Contact us to add yourself to this list.
UK-wide organisations
Neurodivergent Therapist Directory through the Association of Neurodivergent Therapists (ANDT)
Although not therapy, Diversity and Ability offer support around Access To Work and Disabled Students Allowance
Working Solely Online
Online: Brigitte Stephenson is a trauma informed Integrative Counsellor. She works online and has successfully supported clients to work through many of life’s challenges. She has lived experience of navigating a hereditary condition that limits her mobility and she offers a safe space for you to explore any feelings of loneliness, worry and fear that can come with the long journey of living with a disability. ReGround Counselling | Online Individual and Group Counselling
Online/Telephone: Debbie Finch: “I offer an empathic, judgemental-free-zone and approach, where you can safely explore your issues, reconnect with yourself and feel more empowered. I have experience in working with individuals around anxiety, depression, abusive relationships and bereavement. I also have experience in working with neurodiversity.” £30 per session. counselling.with.debbie02@gmail.com or 07356027652.
Online: Emma West has lived experience of disability and is an experienced online counsellor who qualified in 2014 after a background of working in the media and being a writer: “If you feel your ‘Monkey Brain’ is taking over in the form of stress, anxiety, low mood or anger I can work with you to get your ‘Front Brain’ back in charge! Counselling is about change and I can work with you to achieve the change you want – I have years of experience working with disability, carer, health, student and gender dysphoria issues, together with specialist experience of working with those in the medical profession and fire service.” www.emmawestcounselling.co.uk
Online: Olga Chernyavska has many years’ experience of working with physically disabled people. She offers Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy with a focus on mind-body interconnection for dedicated professionals struggling with anxiety and worries. Clients can choose to have weekly or intensive formats of therapy. Contact details: info@olga-therapy.com and https://olga-therapy.com/
Online: Liz Whiteley: “I am Sheffield/Rotherham-based. I work solely online. As a trauma-informed therapist with cerebral palsy, I prioritize safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment. I help clients explore how their unique histories impact them, guiding them toward insights for personal growth. My approach is inclusive and beneficial for all, recognizing that you are the expert of your own life. With a focus on Disability Counselling and Trauma, I provide a nurturing space to acknowledge your experiences and support your recovery journey.” Her website is www.lizwhiteleycounselling.com
Online: Pamela Phillips: “I am a disabled counsellor, qualified in 2008. I am an Integrative Counsellor living with ME/CFS and work online and by telephone. I specialise in counselling for ME/CFS sufferers, other chronic illnesses and disabilities. I understand the language around ME/CFS and am familiar with how living with an illness or disability affects life. I am flexible around clients’ needs. I am registered with the BACP and am NCPS accredited. Contact me by email plphillips@solvussolutions or by telephone 07860 144402 between 4pm and 9pm. I have a website but it is still under construction https://solvussolutions.co.uk/counselling”.
Online: Courtney Hodgkiss is a disabled and chronically ill therapist with a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy. As someone who lives with IBD, a stoma, physical disability and is an ICU survivor, she is uniquely positioned to work with clients who face isolating experiences such as these, in an integrative, warm and welcoming practice. Currently she works solely online but is based in London. Please see www.queensclifftherapy.co.uk for more info.
Online: Louise Brookes is a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor. She offers sessions purely online or over the phone, specialising in working with physically disabled clients, but also has extensive experience working with clients who are neurodiverse. Her website is https://www.louisebtherapy.co.uk/
Midlands
Belper, Derbyshire: Debra Newton: “I am a BACP accredited counsellor with 27 years experience working alongside disabled people. I also work with Employee Assistance Programme and NHS clients. I offer online/telephone counselling and supervision and a small number of face to face appointments. I have an additional qualification in person centred experiential counselling for Depression and have undertaken professional development training in Autism.” debracounselling@yahoo.co.uk.
Birmingham, Midlands: Bev Wood is a disabled trained life coach. She works with individuals 18+. Find her on Twitter @BevLifeCoach
Birmingham, Midlands: Wendy Hooker is a psychotherapist and laughter coach and has a lot of experience working with disabled families. www.birmingham-therapy.co.uk/aboutme.html
Birmingham, Midlands: The Disability Recource Centre in Kitts Green offer a variety of services around employment, benefits, advocacy and wellbeing support. They have a time-limited counselling service for anxiety and depression www.disability.co.uk
South & East
Bath, South West: Grace Quantock is disabled and a qualified counsellor&psychotherapist with many years’ experience as a life coach. She works with individuals 18+ in person and online www.gracequantock.com
Belmont, South: Verity Green is a counsellor and has personal experience of disability. She works with individuals and couples 18+ and has a lot of experience with PTSD and trauma https://richmondbalance.co.uk
Berhamsted, East: Sarah Standish is a counsellor and has a lot of experience of working with disabled families. She works with individuals and couples 18+ https://www.findatherapy.org/counselling/sarah-standish-17092.html
Brighton & Hove, South East: Ruth Hazleton is a qualified individual, couple and psychosexual therapist. She has experience of illness and disability and is very willing to explore disability issues. https://www.hazelton.org.uk/
Cambridge, South East: Rebecca Sherwood is a disabled counsellor and works with individuals age 18+ in Cambridge and online. http://www.rebeccasherwood.moonfruit.com/about/4584581101
Cambridge & Online: Martyn Sibley is a disabled life coach and works with individuals 18+. www.martynsibley.com
Chesham, South East: Andri White is a disabled counsellor who also has experience of working with disabled families. She works with individuals and couples 18+. https://www.psychotherapybuckinghamshire.co.uk/
London: LAPIS is run by counselling psychologist Lisa Greenspan, they offer psychotherapy for disabled people.
Portsmouth, South East: Libby Webber is a disabled counsellor who has also completed additional training in disability. She works with individuals age 14+ in Portsmouth and online www.southseacounselling.co.uk
Oxford, South East: Jenny Pillar is a counsellor and psychotherapist with personal experience of disability, she works with individuals, couples, and children over 11. She can be contacted at jennypillar@outlook.com or 07309255133. She also runs Counselling Carers, a social enterprise that provides high quality counselling and psychotherapy to anyone with a caring role.
Suffolk and online: Alex South is a counsellor and has personal experience of life changing illness and living with disability. She works with individuals 18+ and has over twenty years’ experience working in a children’s hospice setting both as a nurse and lay chaplain. Currently working online only as in the process of renovating a full accessible counselling space for future face to face use. info@alexsouthcounselling.co.uk and www.alexsouthcounselling.co.uk
Dawlish & London, South West and East: Katie Sarra is a sex therapist with experience of working with disabled couples. www.katiesarra.com
London and south east: Marc Dubreuil is a counsellor with more than 8 years professional and personal experience of being disabled and life changing illness. He works with individuals 16+ face to face and online. https://www.marcdcounselling.com
South London: David Gladwell is a BACP accredited integrative/eclectic counsellor (that is, he adapts to the particular needs of each individual), specialising in clients who have had a traumatic injury such as an amputation or SCI. Zoom or face-to-face sessions. https://www.davidgladwell-counsellor.co.uk/disability.html
Yeovil, Somerset and Southwest: Tristan Warr at Spring Hill Counselling is an integrative counsellor, using different types of therapy depending on what feels right for the person. Many clients experience anxiety, family/parenting, and relationship dynamics, addiction, and neurodivergence. However, life rarely fits into clear categories, and clients are welcome to bring whatever feels important to them. Tristan offers in-person (counselling room or outdoor walking (wheelchair accessible)) and online therapy for individual adults. Tristan is BACP and ACC registered, as well as verified by Psychology Today and the National Autistic Society. Book a free online consultation to feel how this might work for you: https://www.springhillcounselling.co.uk
Swanage, South West: Niki Gilding is a humanistic counsellor who offers talking therapy and has a special interest in working with people with different abilities: “This stems from my background in healthcare, where I worked with people who were ill or living with a limiting condition. Whatever your ability I can offer you a safe space in which you can share your unique story in a way that will be affirming and empowering. Much of my client work looks at issues such as sense of self, loss and grief, identity, prejudice, trauma, depression, anxiety and relationships. This is often with a focus on living with an illness, a condition or a life-changing injury and all the frustrations that they can bring. I also work with many people who are neurodivergent.” Niki offers sessions via Zoom, telephone, or face-to-face counselling for those who are ambulant and can manage the steps at her practice room near Swanage. She is also available for walk/wheel & talk around the Swanage area. www.counsellingbythesea.co.uk niki.gmail@coundellingbythesea.com or 07708732538
North
Newcastle, NE40, North East: Nicola Preece is a disabled counsellor who works with individuals 18+ and facilitates group sessions for Spokz People, you can reach her on npreece28@gmail.com. She is able to offer low-cost support at £30-40 per session.
Wilmslow, North West: Peter Bloch, trained in the Alexander technique, works a lot with disabled clients. www.peter-bloch.co.uk
Newcastle, North East: Helen Rutherford is a disabled counsellor who works with individuals 18+ and has a few other disabled therapists on her team www.emotionalrespite.co.uk
Lothian, Scotland: The Centre of Independent Living offers 1-2-1 and group peer support and phone counselling (do check this is still available) for 16+ www.lothiancil.org.uk
Leith, Scotland: Talk Time Scotland offers disabled 12-25 year olds counselling, also online. www.talktimescotland.co.uk
Clutching at straws?
The section below are people we have had contact with over the years, but haven’t had contact with recently. We’re mentioning them because if they are in your area it could be worth doing a search for them and/or if you manage to contact them they may be able to suggest someone else locally.
Yorkshire, York: Susan Simpson is a counsellor and her child is disabled susansimpson693@googlemail.com
Wales: Jan Matthews CBT counsellor focusses on stress. www.jmstressconsultant.co.uk
Nottingham: Lucy Rychwalska-Brown www.bodycapcability.com had disability experience.
Brighton&Hove: Larnie Meeking/Ball is a life coach with disability experience. www.bridgingthegapuk.co.uk
Stanmore: Helen Smith is a counselling psychologist with disability experience. helen@shrink.eclipse.co.uk
London & Stanmore: Carol Smyth is a psychologist with disability experience. carolsmyth6@gmail.com
