Alan Opfer

Alan Opfer is a counsellor who focuses on practical help for people dealing with stress, anxiety, addiction and anger. He has three years of professional experience and works from a person-centred perspective. He speaks English and practises in the United Kingdom. Alan aims to meet people without judgement and to make therapy straightforward and usable in daily life.

Alan draws on his own lived experience of addiction and mental health to inform his approach. That background shapes a practical focus on harm reduction, coping strategies and support through pre- and post-detox stages. He also helps people facing depression, grief, relationship strain and changes at work or home.

In sessions he uses Client-Centred Therapy to prioritise the person’s own goals and pace. He also offers Mindfulness Therapy to build moment-to-moment awareness and Solution-Focused Therapy to develop concrete steps forward. These approaches aim to reduce overwhelm and create small, sustainable changes.

Alan has worked in housing support and has experience interacting with clinical and community services. He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP, and brings a practical understanding of local support networks.

He supports people from diverse backgrounds, including LGBT clients, and addresses specific themes such as attachment, communication problems, chronic health challenges and issues around abandonment or foster care. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

To begin, users pick Start Therapy, complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule according to therapist availability.

How his approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and pace. In practice this means the counsellor listens closely, reflects what is said and follows the client’s lead to build trust and clarity. This approach can help people who feel overwhelmed or uncertain about where to begin.

Mindfulness Therapy trains simple awareness skills to notice thoughts, bodily reactions and emotions without getting pulled into them. It can be useful for managing anxiety, anger and stress by creating short, steady moments of calm during the day.

Solution-Focused Therapy looks for small, achievable changes that move a person toward their goals. Sessions often identify what is already working and build on those strengths to create practical next steps.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will discuss options and collaborate with the client to choose what fits their needs, goals and preferences. This is a shared process rather than a fixed plan.

Confirm the session formats available before booking, as the biography does not list specific online methods. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy life - allowing shorter check-ins, easier scheduling around work, and not needing travel time. Ask about the exact session options when you arrange your first appointment to make sure they suit your routine.