Call: 07746120590
A space to explore and understand YOUR world
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
How Counselling Can Help You
"After just one session I feel I have hope for the first time in a long time"
Taking the first step towards better mental health can feel daunting, but it's a sign of strength. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, fear, or any of the wide range of emotions that come with being human, please know that hope is available, and things can improve.
As an experienced integrative counsellor based in Birmingham, I offer a compassionate and understanding space for you. Clients often describe me as a wonderfully empathic and attentive listener. I am passionate about helping you connect with your authentic self, understand the challenges that have led you to this point, and recognise the unique strengths and skills you possess to navigate your future.
My expertise is grounded in over 20 years of professional work, personal experiences, academic study, and volunteering.
The main areas I specialise in are:
- Counselling for Anxiety and Building Confidence
- Understanding and Living with Bereavement and Loss
- Counselling for Women's Health: Support for Life's changes including Menopause
Alison Burgess Counselling: Specialist Areas
Managing Anxiety: Finding Calm and Building Confidence
For over two decades, I have supported individuals in Birmingham and beyond who are struggling with anxiety and its far-reaching effects. While our minds are incredibly powerful allies, life events can sometimes cause them to work against us, leading to feelings of anxiety, self-doubt, and low self-esteem.
Through counselling for anxiety, you can explore your life experiences and their impact, gaining a deeper understanding of your inner world. This process empowers you to regain control – not necessarily over external events, but crucially over how you respond to them. With a calmer and more focused mind, you can recognise and embrace life's opportunities.
Understanding and Coping with Bereavement and Loss
Loss is an inevitable part of the human experience, affecting us all at some point. However, the grieving process can be particularly complex, such as when anticipating the loss of someone with a life-limiting illness or navigating the complicated emotions following a difficult relationship.
My own experiences of loss and the subsequent support I received through counselling have highlighted the profound value of therapy. It provides a safe space to honestly examine challenging situations, acknowledge, and process the often-intense emotions involved.
Counselling for Menopause and Women's Health
Experiencing a change in health at any stage of life can be destabilising, trigger anxiety, and prompt a re-evaluation of what truly matters. My own diagnosis with cancer in my early 40s was unexpected and required significant reflection to understand its ongoing impact. Over the past two decades, I have focused on how to effectively support myself and others in managing the physical and emotional challenges associated with illness.
I have a particular interest in the impact of menopause since undergoing induced menopause in my mid-40s. While societal understanding of menopause is growing, every woman's experience is unique, and sometimes additional support through menopause counselling is beneficial.
Menopause counselling offers a dedicated space for you to become an expert on your own needs. Alongside this self-discovery, I provide a range of practical tools and techniques to help manage the various impacts of menopause. Whether you're seeking a focused, solution-oriented approach to menopause support or wish to explore this transition within a broader life context, I am here to help.
About Me
My Story
As with all of us my life has been full of ups and downs. I began exploring the world of health and wellbeing over two decades ago. The knowledge, skills and experience I gained came in handy when I was diagnosed with cancer, helping me to remain positive and rebuild my confidence post treatment. I have supported friends through this disease and have lost loved ones too, which is why I have been working with a local cancer support charity for over a decade.
Caring for someone with dementia has also been part of my path and I understand how hard it is to lose the person who is still sitting in front of you. My work as a volunteer with Cruse has helped me to understand and process the pain of loss, building new relationships, whilst still remaining connected with those who are no longer here.
Being a counsellor isnt a job, its a path for life that I feel blessed to be travelling on and I look forward to working with you on your journey.
My Expertise
"An empathic and experienced therapist, A wonderful listening ear."
I am an integrative counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
In addition, I am an NCH trained hypnotherapist and INLPTA trained NLP master practitioner. Whilst my work is predominately focussed on counselling there may be opportunities to bring this expertise into the counselling room for the benefit of my clients.
I am also a volunteer for Cruse (bereavement services) and a local Cancer Support Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the counselling held?
Face:face sessions are held at a community hub in Sutton Coldfield. Where appropriate I also offer walk and talk sessions in Sutton Coldfield Park.
Online counselling is via Zoom or GoogleMeet. I will send you a link that you can access via a laptop or mobile.
With telephone counselling I will call you from a private secure space.
What are the costs involved?
My fees are currently £45 per 50 minute session and are reviewed annually.
It is possible to have face:face counselling at a community hub in Sutton Coldfield. This incurs an additional cost of £8.50 which needs to be paid in advance.
How many sessions will i need?
This is something we will discuss as part of our first session as I offer both short term (up to 6 weeks) and longer term therapy.
As part of therapy we will also have regular reviews to ensure you are still getting what you need from our work together.
How do I prepare, is there homework?
There is nothing in particular that you need to do to prepare for a counselling session.
During our time together I may suggest resources that you may want to explore in between sessions, that is your choice.
Some clients also find it helpful take up journalling to record their thoughts and experiences during the therapeutic process, again it is up to you.
What if I am not happy with our sessions?
If you are not happy with my professional practice please do discuss this with me in the first instance so that we can try to resolve the difficulty.
If we are unable to do this and you wish to take those concerns further, you can contact my professional body, the BACP (https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/professional-conduct/how-to-complain-about-a-bacp-member/).