Project Description
Dr. Helen Ainley, BA, BSc, DPsych, Counselling Psychologist
I am a Counselling Psychologist with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals through a
wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.
Before training as a psychologist, I worked in several different professions, which has given me a broad and grounded understanding of the many transitions and pressures people experience throughout life. My time as a Samaritan taught me how to sit with people in moments of deep distress and heightened emotion — an experience that continues to shape my practice today.
Alongside my private practice, I work part-time in the NHS as a psychologist in a hospice setting. There, I meet people who are often reflecting on life’s most significant questions: Who am I? What gives my life meaning? How do I want to live?
Finding a Therapist
Finding the right therapist can feel like a challenge. You may be looking for someone you can trust, who will take you seriously, and who can help you think about what is and isn’t working in your life. You might have a sense that change is possible, but feel unsure how to begin. Therapy provides a space to explore how you live, the choices you make, and what it might mean to be more authentic — to truly be yourself, which can sound simple but is rarely easy. It is essential that you feel safe and comfortable with your therapist. If, for any reason, we decide together that the fit isn’t quite right, I will be happy to suggest alternative therapists or resources that may better suit your needs.
How I Work
I am trained in a broad range of therapeutic approaches, including relational, psychodynamic, existential, and cognitive-behavioural methods. I do not adhere rigidly to any single model; instead, I work collaboratively with you, drawing from different approaches to meet your unique needs and circumstances. At the heart of my work is the therapeutic relationship — two people thinking together about what
it is like to be you. Therapy may focus on specific issues in the short term or take the form of a deeper, longer-term exploration of recurring patterns and questions. The direction and depth of our work will always be your choice.
What You Can Expect From Me:
- I will listen carefully and with respect.
- I will take what you say seriously and work with compassion and integrity.
- I will support you in facing your fears, understanding your shame, and moving towards a more authentic, fulfilling way of being.
THERAPY HARLEY STREET
10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF
+44 (0) 207 289 5656
admin@therapyharleystreet.co.uk