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Our counselling service

Our counselling service is available free of charge for all our adult community members, including both affected individuals and family members. Our BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) accredited counsellor offers up to 8 counselling appointments on a weekly basis.

If you would be interested in accessing counselling, finding out how counselling may be beneficial for you or have any questions, please contact counselling@alextlc.org

About our counsellor

Mel is an accredited counsellor with 17 years of experience supporting people through life’s challenges, including illness, loss and major change. She has worked across the NHS and charity sector as a senior counsellor, supervisor and manager of a national online bereavement counselling service.

Mel offers a calm, supportive space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions at their own pace. Her approach is grounded in empathy and collaboration, helping people find a sense of balance and strength during times of uncertainty.

She believes in helping clients recognise their own resilience and capacity for growth, even in the face of significant challenges. Her aim is to support each person in finding ways to live with greater self-understanding, hope and connection.

What does it involve?

Each counselling session lasts for up to 50 minutes. They are provided via video call e.g. zoom or on the telephone if this is preferred.

We are aware that it can feel daunting to reach out for support for oneself,  and acknowledge this as a significant step towards building self-compassion and helping you to feel as well as you can. Your counselling appointments provide a confidential space to explore, talk through any  challenges or concerns that are troubling you. You will have the opportunity to feel acknowledged, heard and  supported outside of your  own social/family circles of support.

Counselling policy

Our counselling policy provides further information about our counselling service, which includes information about the number of sessions, cancellations, confidentiality and personal data. A PDF version of the policy is available to view here.

Counselling Agreement form

You will be asked to sign a Counselling Agreement form during your first session. This agreement sets out what you can expect from your counselling with Alex TLC. A PDF version of the policy is available to view here.

How is counselling helpful?

Our counsellor can help you to explore how leukodystrophy may be affecting your wellbeing and how you are adapting emotionally.

Counselling can help with:

  • identifying and looking after feelings, emotions, such as anger, shock or guilt.
  • exploring difficult thoughts.
  • managing stress and anxiety.
  • low mood and depression.
  • understanding losses and grief, including anticipatory grief.
  • dealing with changes,including onset or change of symptoms or condition progressing.
  • impact on relationships; with friends, family or the relationship that you have with yourself.
  • managing and creating boundaries.
  • communication.
  • advocating for self and love-ones.
  • considering own needs to enhance self-care and self esteem.
  • trauma.

To learn more about counselling, please read information provided by the BACP about Counselling: Introduction to counselling and psychotherapy

Funding for our counselling service

Neuraxpharm UK Ltd has provided financial support (by way of a grant) for the delivery of this activity. Neuraxpharm has had no input in any aspect of the logistics of our counselling service.