Lesley Papper, BACP

Lesley Papper is an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor with a registered membership of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). With nine years of practice across varied settings, she combines several evidence-informed methods to support people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, grief, eating and addiction issues, trauma and abuse, parenting and family concerns, and an array of other challenges including ADHD and chronic health concerns.

She offers both an independent private practice and work through an online service, and can be contacted directly at lesleypappertherapy@gmail.com. Lesley creates a warm, accepting therapeutic space that encourages self-acceptance and kinder self-care. She understands that coping strategies can sometimes become unhelpful patterns and will collaborate with each person to identify practical, healthier alternatives while respecting the pace the client needs.

Lesley balances attention to immediate concerns with the exploration of longer-term themes. Together with clients she may look at the origins of difficulties to better understand current thoughts, feelings and behaviours, while also working on concrete steps to build resilience and structure. She sees value in both short-term focused work and longer-term therapy and tailors each approach to the individual’s goals and life circumstances.

Lesley has experience supporting clients affected by hidden disabilities, physical disability, neurodiversity and the ongoing effects of living in a world built for neurotypical patterns. Her practice emphasizes collaboration, respect, and practical progress toward a more manageable and satisfying life.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Lesley works with several practical approaches that translate well to online therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters most to them and develop flexible responses to difficult thoughts and feelings - it is useful for anxiety, depression, stress and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an empathetic, non-judgmental relationship in which the client’s own resources and insights are central - this approach supports self-acceptance and can be effective for grief, relationship issues and low self-esteem. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical strategies to change unhelpful patterns - it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress and some trauma-related difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Lesley will work collaboratively with each person to identify the methods that best fit their needs, goals and preferences, and she adapts the work over time as progress is made and priorities change.

Online therapy with Lesley is offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, family and other commitments, and allow people who live at a distance or who prefer remote contact to receive consistent therapeutic support.