Lesley Papper, BACP

Lesley Papper is a psychotherapeutic counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship worries, grief, depression, addictions and intimacy-related issues. She also supports people dealing with parenting strain, anger, low self-esteem, ADHD and problems sleeping. Lesley works with those coping with big life changes and the ongoing toll of compassion fatigue. She offers a warm, accepting space and believes people have the inner resources to change patterns that no longer serve them. Sessions focus on what matters now while also looking back when that helps explain current feelings and behaviours. Lesley emphasises self-acceptance and practical steps that can bring relief. Her style blends talking things through with targeted strategies. She listens for patterns and invites clients to try small experiments between sessions. The aim is to build routines and tools that reduce distress and create steadier days. Lesley has nine years' experience and is a BACP member, which reflects her standing with a professional body. She has worked in a range of settings, including independent practice. Her caseload has included people living with chronic illness, disability, neurodiversity, and survivors of sexual violence. She can offer both short-term and longer-term work, paced to each person's needs. People who choose to work with her start by agreeing their immediate goals and then decide how much time to spend on deeper background material. The focus remains practical: clearer choices and more manageable daily life.

How Lesley’s approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and focuses on values-guided action that can reduce avoidance. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at thinking patterns and behaviour, and uses short experiments and practical steps to ease anxiety, low mood and sleep problems. Client-Centred Therapy offers a compassionate, non-judgemental space where the person leads the pace and topic of sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and help select methods that fit those aims. This is a collaborative process that can blend elements from different approaches as needed.

The biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm available session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow check-ins from different locations. It can also let people use video, phone or shorter check-ins where that suits practical needs, depending on what the therapist currently offers.