Alan Opfer, BACP

Alan Opfer works with people who are dealing with stress, addiction, low mood and relationship strain. He is a counsellor who aims to give straightforward support without judgement. He mentions jealousy among his areas of focus and can help people thinking about how jealousy affects relationships and day-to-day life.

Alan brings three years of professional experience in the UK and holds BACP registration. He has substantial experience supporting people through alcohol and substance use concerns, including harm-reduction, controlled use, and coping strategies before and after detoxification. He also has practical experience from time spent as a housing support worker and working alongside community and clinical teams.

Alan speaks from personal experience of recovery and mental health challenges, and says that lived experience shapes how he works. He describes his approach as person-centred - he listens, follows the client’s lead, and tailors sessions to each person’s changing needs. That means practical conversations about what is realistic and useful right now.

Sessions typically focus on clear, manageable steps rather than long lectures. Mindfulness and solution-focused ideas may be used to help reduce stress and build coping skills. The emphasis is on respectful, practical support to help people move toward lives they find more satisfying.

If someone wants to begin, they are asked to use the site Start Therapy process to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a time that suits both the client and therapist.

How client-centred, mindfulness and solution-focused ideas translate online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and responding to the person in front of the counsellor. It means the therapist follows the client’s priorities and adapts sessions to their changing needs, which can be useful for personal issues like jealousy or low self-esteem.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing exercises to reduce stress and ground people during difficult moments. These techniques can help when anxiety or cravings make daily life harder. Solution-Focused Therapy looks for small achievable steps and what already works, so clients can build momentum with brief, practical changes.

Finding the right approach is usually collaborative. The therapist will talk with the client about goals, try methods that suit those goals, and adjust as needed. That way the style of therapy grows out of what the client finds helpful rather than a fixed plan.

Confirm the available online session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Many people find online counselling helps fit therapy into busy lives, for example by allowing easier scheduling, shorter check-ins during a lunch break, or avoiding travel. It can make it simpler to maintain regular sessions and work steadily on stress, addiction, relationship concerns and day-to-day coping.