Project Description
Alexia Harrison, Humanistic-Integrative Psychotherapist
She began working as a therapist in a short-term therapy setting for adults in crisis, suffering from such issues as addictions, domestic violence, self-harming behaviours, emotional and financial abuse and suicidal tendencies. She also worked in a South Leeds Primary School for The Place2Be where she gained a wealth of experience supporting young children with crises of their own. She continues to value working in a variety of settings, and with a range of ages for the challenges, this brings and the diversity of encounters she has with her clients.
Alexia has experience of working as a counsellor in the NHS with adults suffering from a multitude of issues. Her work with adults has evolved into her thriving private practice whilst she continues to support children and young people as a Primary and Secondary School Therapist for the charity Northpoint Wellbeing. Referrals range from low self-esteem to relationship difficulties, exam stress, family breakdown, supporting a relative with mental and/or physical health issues, abuse and trauma. She ran crisis support sessions for individuals and families affected by the Manchester terrorist attack.
On completion of her Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy where she earned the departmental prize, Alexia trained with the National Centre for Eating Disorders. She completed the Master Practitioner course in Eating Disorders, Nutrition and Obesity. Her interest in fighting eating disorders has led to several specialist CPD certifications and she is well respected in her field.
Alexia has first-hand experience of an eating disorder and once recovered, she began volunteering for Beat (the UK’s leading charity supporting those affected by eating disorders). For over 10 years she has co-facilitated the Carer’s Support Group for the Yorkshire Centre For Eating Disorders and recently negotiated its continuation by liaising with Northpoint and the NHS. Alexia now co-ordinates and leads the crucial and popular service. She has run multiple sets of Empowering Families Workshops based on the Maudsley Method of treating Eating Disorders which are designed to equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to cope with the trauma that occurs when a loved one has Anorexia or Bulimia.
In private practice, Alexia works face to face with children as young as 7 and her eldest client is well into retirement. Alexia is specifically qualified to work online via Zoom, Skype or Face Time. She has supported clients across the UK and around the world – including Spain, France and South Africa. Alexia’s interest in people and enthusiasm for counselling has afforded her a breadth and flexibility in her training enabling her to individually tailor her approach to the needs of each unique client.
Alexia is a well-respected trainer in the counselling community and has trained peers across the North of England in “Working Therapeutically with Eating Disorders.” She is also experienced in providing lectures in Colleges and Universities to trainee therapists on subjects such as eating issues, self-harm and suicidal tendencies.
For pupils, Alexia educates children and young people on subjects such as how to tackle body image issues, responsible use of social media, combatting self-harm, anger management and what it feels like to suffer from depression.
Alexia has represented Beat as a Media Ambassador for the last 8 years and has discussed a variety of issues promoting a healthy attitude towards food and eating. She has been invited to speak on BBC Breakfast, ITV, Look North, The Victoria Derbyshire Show, BBC Radio 5 Live, Capital and Heart FM and BBC Radio Leeds.
Pro-recovery articles include: Good Housekeeping, The Guardian Mental Health Supplement, The Evening Standard and The Yorkshire Post, among others.
Alexia is trained in Safeguarding Children and Young People and holds an Enhanced DBS. She works with all age ranges offering short term, time-limited and open-ended therapy. This is discussed during your initial assessment.
Accreditations and Memberships:
Registered Member of BACP and in accordance with their ethical guidelines, she attends regular CPD and Supervision. She is supervised on a one-to-one basis in York and in London she attends monthly peer supervision with Ernesto Spinelli.
A member of ACTO (Association for Counselling and Therapy Online), Alexia is trained to support her clients via video conferencing, phone and also by asynchronous email should they travel extensively in different time zones, for example.
THERAPY HARLEY STREET
10 Harley Street, London W1G 9PF
+44 (0) 207 289 5656
admin@therapyharleystreet.co.uk
“Alexia provides individual session to children, teenagers, adults and couple counselling
She has experience working with an extensive range of issues including and not limited to:
Abuse, Addictions, ADHD, Anger and Rage, Anxiety, Attachment issues, Bereavement, Bullying, Childhood difficulties, Cultural issues, Depression, Discrimination, Divorce, Eating Disorders, Gender and Identity concerns, Health related issues including Covid-19, Isolation, Learning difficulties, Loss and Grief, Lack of Creativity, Lack of purpose, Obesity, OCD, Personal Development, Post-traumatic Stress, Redundancy, Relationships, Self-esteem, Self-harm behaviours, Separation, Sexuality, Stress, Suicidal thoughts, Transition, Trauma, Work related issues.