Alex Hayes
Compassionate, Humanistic Counselling in Shoreditch & East London
A non-judgemental space to explore anxiety, trauma, and addiction.
Welcome.
I am a BACP registered counsellor with several years of experience working in counselling centres, addiction treatment settings, and private practice across Cape Town, Belgium, and now London.
Based in Shoreditch, my practice serves as a sanctuary for clients coming from across East London and North London. I work from a person-centred, humanistic standpoint. I believe in helping you understand yourself and how the interplay of different parts within you creates patterns of behaviour. My goal is to create a non-judgemental, listening space where we can explore these patterns together, helping you work to change the ones that are no longer serving you.
How I Can Help
I work with clients seeking help with a wide variety of life challenges and neurodiversity. While I offer general counselling, I have specific experience and expertise in:
Addiction & Recovery: Including substance and alcohol misuse, gambling addiction, and eating disorders.
Mental Health Support: Navigating anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Neurodiversity: Supporting clients in understanding their unique cognitive landscapes.
Relationship and Interpersonal Issues: Helping clients navigate crises and challenges in their relationships, whether professional, romantic, family, or friendships.
My Approach
A Humanistic Pathway to Change
Using a humanistic approach, I draw on a range of counselling methods including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). My aim is to support my clients in a way that I myself was helped by others.
I know how tough the first steps into change can be, and how tough returning to a journey of healing can be as well. I have first-hand experience in my own journey in recovery of how hard it is to make a change alone, and how much help some small guidance can provide.
I cannot make anyone change, but I hope to provide some light on the path you might choose to walk.
My Practice in Shoreditch
My therapy room is located in Shoreditch, offering a confidential and quiet environment amidst the city.
Because of its central location, my practice is easily accessible for those living or working in East London (Hackney, Bethnal Green, Dalston) and North London (Islington, Angel, Highbury). Whether you are coming from the City or commuting from further afield, the space is designed to be a pause button in your busy week.
Closest Stations: Shoreditch High Street /Whitechapel/Old Street
Online Sessions: I also offer remote sessions for clients who cannot travel to the practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is your practice located?
My therapy room is centrally located in Shoreditch. It is situated to be easily accessible for clients commuting from across East London and North London. I aim to provide a quiet, consistent sanctuary amidst the busy city environment.
I am nervous about starting. What is the first session like?
It is completely natural to feel apprehensive; I know from experience how tough the first steps into change can be. The first session is simply a space for us to meet. There is no pressure to "fix" everything immediately. We will explore what brings you to therapy, discuss your needs, and see if we feel like a good fit to work together. It is a non-judgemental, listening space where you can go at your own pace.
Do you only see clients in person, or do you offer online sessions?
I believe there is great value in the physical therapeutic space, which is why I maintain my practice in Shoreditch. However, I understand that travel isn't always possible. I offer online counselling for clients who cannot commute to East London or who prefer the comfort of their own home.
I am struggling with addiction. How do you work with this?
I have extensive experience working in addiction treatment settings and private practice. I view addiction not just as a behaviour, but often as a response to underlying pain or trauma. Using a blend of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and DBT, we will work to understand the patterns of behaviour that aren’t working for you, and gently move toward the changes you wish to make.
What areas of London do you serve?
While my door is open to anyone, my physical location in Shoreditch is most convenient for those in:
East London: Including Hackney, Bethnal Green, Dalston, and Whitechapel.
North London: Including Islington, Angel, Highbury, and Stoke Newington.
The City: For those working in central London looking for a session before or after work.
Are you registered?
Yes, I am a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). This means I adhere to a strict ethical framework to ensure you receive professional, safe, and confidential support.
Get in Touch
I know that reaching out is often the hardest part of the process. Please remember that sending an email or making a call does not commit you to anything. It is simply an opening.
Whether you are ready to book a session in Shoreditch or just have a question about how I work with addiction, trauma, or anxiety, I invite you to send me a message using the form below. I will get back to you confidentially as soon as possible.
Please contact me for more information or to schedule an appointment
You don't need to explain your whole story in this message. Just let me know you are looking for support, and we can take it from there