Counselling for Adults and Couples in Penarth, South Wales and Online
A safe space to be seen, heard and understood—a place for growth, self-discovery and meaningful change.
Welcome and thank you for visiting my website. My name is Alison McSorley and I am based in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan; my practice is easily accessible from Cardiff, Barry and surrounding areas. I provide both short and long term therapy, face to face and online for residents of the UK.
Life can feel heavy, confusing, or overwhelming at times.
I offer a compassionate, confidential space where you can pause, reflect, and explore what matters to you. In Counselling your experiences are held with care and you are supported—not with advice, but in finding your own insights, meaning and way forward. Together we can uncover new perspectives, reconnect with your strengths and gently explore the choices that feel most authentic to you. Counselling is a space to be seen, heard, and understood as you navigate life’s challenges.
I work with people from all walks of life, each bringing their own story and unique experiences. As a fully-qualified accredited counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy I follow ethical guidelines that place your safety, dignity, and autonomy at the heart of our work together
I have been a counsellor for over ten years, driven by a deep desire to help people through life’s most challenging moments. I’ve supported individuals affected by domestic violence and trauma, helped people navigate life transitions, manage anxiety, sit with grief, explored meaning, and assisted in making choices that align with the life they want. More recently, I’ve worked with couples to rebuild trust, improve communication, and move forward together.
In addition to counselling, I provide clinical supervision to counsellors and professionals; I deliver training/workshops in colleges, universities and a variety of different organisations.
Counselling continues to inspire me because of its focus on connection, personal meaning, and the potential for change. I feel privileged to be part of every client’s journey.
Counselling
Counselling can support people with a wide range of challenges. Some clients come with a clear idea of what is troubling them, while others simply know that life feels heavy, overwhelming or painful. Talking to someone who is trained to listen, and who is not directly involved in your life, can help you make sense of your feelings and relationships, and begin to work out a way forward.
Some people find short-term work helpful for specific issues or times of crisis, while others prefer longer-term counselling to make deeper, more lasting changes.
Individual Counselling
I provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore what is happening for you at your own pace. Being trauma-informed means I work gently and respectfully with the impact of past or present trauma, always prioritising your sense of safety.
Couples Counselling
Relationships can be challenging, and sometimes outside support is needed to rebuild trust, improve communication, and move forward together. Couples therapy provides a safe, non-judgemental space for both partners to be heard and understood.
Clinical Supervision
I offer clinical supervision for counsellors and other professionals in helping roles. Supervision provides a space to reflect on practice, explore ethical issues, and receive supportive guidance as you develop your work.
Training and Education
In addition to counselling and supervision, I provide training and education services. I am a qualified educator with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a Fellowship to the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). I have taught CPCAB courses at Levels 2–4, as well as degree programmes and adult education courses.
My Training Approach
My approach to training is experiential, encouraging active involvement whether in groups or 1:1. I aim to create an open, flexible, person-centred learning environment, ensuring that training feels supportive and engaging both online and in person.
Sessions and Availability
I offer counselling for adults and couples in Penarth and online. I am happy to arrange a brief initial chat with you to see if we would be a good fit.
Taking the Next Step
Reaching out for counselling can feel daunting, but it is often the first step towards clarity, healing and growth. Whether you are seeking counselling for adults, couples therapy, supervision, or training in Penarth and online, please get in touch to arrange an initial conversation.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
What can Counselling help with?
Counselling is for anybody who feels they would benefit from talking to someone, without feeling judged and to gain an alternative perspective. Counselling can support a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, depression, identity and relationship difficulties, grief, life transitions, trauma, and self-esteem. It provides a safe space to explore your feelings, understand your current situation, and consider changes and choices that may help you move forward in your life.
How long will counselling take?
The number of sessions varies depending on your needs and what you would like to bring to therapy. I offer short, medium, and long term counselling, we will decide together how many sessions feel right and review this regularly. Some issues take only a few sessions; others need more time. If I feel another service would better support you, I’ll let you know and we can discuss this in our sessions.
What will our first session be like?
Usually, we will have had a short telephone chat before meeting. In our first session, we will talk through the contact form, confidentiality policy, and your hopes for therapy. We will create a working agreement for our sessions and begin exploring what has brought you to counselling. If your first session is online, you will receive an information form, a contract, and a secure link beforehand. We will also discuss online safety and what to do if we lose internet connection.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Confidentiality is a core part of counselling. I will only share information if there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, in line with Welsh safeguarding laws, or if the law requires it. Whenever possible, I will discuss this with you first before talking to anyone else.
How often do we have to meet?
Sessions are usually held weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs and availability. Sometimes people start with weekly sessions and then adjust the frequency as counselling becomes needed less. If needed, we can meet more than once a week. You can also return to counselling to work on a new issue or maintain the progress you’ve made.