Ilkay Alici, BACP

Ilkay Alici is a counsellor and psychotherapist with 14 years of clinical experience who supports individuals and couples facing a wide range of life challenges. She is a member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which indicates membership of the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. Ilkay works with concerns such as relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, parenting stresses, addiction, anxiety and depression, and she also addresses areas like self-esteem, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping problems, and career-related pressures.

Her practice includes support for neurodiverse needs such as ADHD, and for complex family situations including adoption, foster care and blended family issues. Ilkay also offers focused help with attachment and abandonment concerns, communication and control problems, and coping with long-term illness or caregiving strain. Fluent in English and Turkish, she provides therapy for both local and international clients, tailoring her approach to each person or couple.

Ilkay aims to create a compassionate, non-judgemental space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings and work collaboratively toward clearer goals and more balanced daily life. She frames seeking help as a positive step and supports clients as they navigate change and healing.

Approaches and online therapy support

Ilkay uses Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness Therapy as central approaches in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a trusting therapeutic relationship and creating a supportive, non-judgemental space where clients lead the pace of their own exploration - it is helpful for relationship concerns, self-esteem and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, making it useful for anxiety, depression, stress and many practical coping challenges. Mindfulness Therapy introduces present-focused awareness and gentle acceptance skills that can reduce rumination, improve emotional regulation and support stress management.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Ilkay works collaboratively with each client to tailor methods to their needs, goals and personal preferences. Together they review what is helping and make adjustments as therapy progresses to ensure a good fit.

Online therapy sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging, which provides flexibility for people with busy schedules, caregiving responsibilities or those living at a distance. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access support from Ilkay wherever the client is located, while allowing choice in how clients prefer to communicate.