Alex Hayes
Practical, person-centred therapy for lasting change
About Alex
Alex Hayes is a BACP counsellor who combines practical therapies with a person-centred way of working. He uses clear, straightforward conversations to help people manage stress, anxiety, addictions and other difficult issues. Alex presents as calm and direct and focuses on what will help someone move forward.
He draws on approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment-Based Therapy. Sessions aim to clarify what matters to the client, identify unhelpful patterns, and build small, manageable changes.
Background and approach
Therapy is collaborative and paced to what the person can handle. Alex has worked in counselling centres, addiction treatment settings and independent practice across Cape Town, Belgium and now London. That range of settings has shaped a practical style that balances challenge with support.
He speaks from personal experience of recovery and uses that background to relate to people facing serious struggles. Typical concerns Alex focuses on include addiction, self-esteem, depression, bipolar symptoms, stress and anxiety, relationship and intimacy-related problems, grief and family difficulties. He also works with issues such as ADHD, compassion fatigue, codependency and problems around commitment and communication.
Sessions are offered in English and happen online by video, phone, live chat or text messaging. Costs vary by location and sessions are provided through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a session.
What Alex works with
How Alex works
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Listed by Alex among the ways they work.
Sessions & fees
Therapeutic approaches and online sessions
Alex commonly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages people to notice painful thoughts and feelings without being led by them, then choose actions that reflect their values; it is helpful for anxiety, stress and struggles with motivation. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and testing them with practical, step-by-step exercises; it helps with anxiety, depression, sleeping and coping skills.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will discuss different methods and tailor sessions to the person's needs, goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process, and adjustments are made as understanding grows over time.
Online sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different situations. Video calls work well for deeper dialogue and visual connection. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat or messaging can suit shorter check-ins, written reflection and flexible timings. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to keep progress going across locations and schedules.
| Session length | Typically 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Client ages | Adults, 18 and over |
| Fees | Subscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime |
| Insurance | Not billed directly |
Questions people ask
What kinds of problems does this counsellor focus on?
What is the therapeutic style like?
What experience does the counsellor have?
Where is the counsellor based and what credentials are held?
Which languages are supported and can international clients be seen?
What session formats are offered?
How are fees and payment handled?
How do I start working with this counsellor?
Areas of focus
What this therapist works with
Also listed
- Abandonment
- ADHD
- Anger management
- Attachment issues
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Bipolar disorder
- Career difficulties
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Compassion fatigue
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Family problems
- Grief
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- LGBT
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Parenting issues
- Phobias
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sleeping disorders
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Experience
- 3 years
- Registered with
- BACP
- Languages
- English
