Lesley Papper , BACP

Lesley Papper is an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. She has worked in a variety of settings and maintains an independent private practice where she offers supportive therapeutic work; she is contactable at lesleypappertherapy@gmail.com.

Lesley provides a warm, accepting space for individuals who want to explore difficult emotions and patterns of behaviour. She understands that people develop coping strategies to manage overwhelming situations, and that those strategies can sometimes become harmful over time. Her approach emphasises that people have inherent strengths and resources, and she works collaboratively to help clients discover healthier ways of coping.

She balances attention to immediate concerns with longer-term goals, exploring both current challenges and their origins when that is helpful for understanding emotional responses and behaviour. Lesley encourages self-acceptance and self-care, inviting clients to reflect on their lives with kindness while taking practical steps toward change.

Lesley has experience supporting people living with grief, low mood and depression, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety and stress, survivors of sexual violence, and clients with hidden or physical disabilities. She also works with neurodiverse clients managing the long-term effects of living in a world designed for neurotypical people. She offers short-term or longer-term therapy, works at each person’s pace and focuses on building resilience and structure to support lasting change.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Lesley works with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people clarify their values and develop psychological flexibility - it supports moving toward meaningful life goals even when difficult thoughts and feelings are present. Client-Centered Therapy is also central to her work - this approach emphasises a warm, nonjudgemental therapeutic relationship where the client’s own experience guides the pace and focus of change, useful for issues of self-esteem, relationships and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) complements these methods by identifying and adjusting unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, and is often helpful for anxiety, low mood and stress-related problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lesley collaborates with each person to determine which techniques and perspectives fit their needs, goals and preferences, and she adapts methods over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter or more immediate support can be provided via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to access therapists and to schedule work around daily life, allowing licensed professionals to provide consistent support even when in-person meetings are not possible.