Lee Whelan, BACP

Lee Whelan brings over 20 years of service in substance abuse counselling and related support roles, witnessing again and again the strength and courage people carry even through very difficult times. His work has spanned health education, the justice system and direct clinical practice with both adults and young people, which has given him a broad understanding of how challenges intersect across different parts of life. Those varied experiences have reinforced a simple conviction - with compassion, insight and the right support, people can imagine and build lives of purpose and health despite hardship.

Lee applies a holistic skill set that meets clients where they are, blending empathy with practical creativity to uncover collaborative pathways forward. He aims to nurture the existing seeds of resilience so that insight and empowerment emerge gradually, one day at a time. His longevity in the field is grounded in an enduring belief in each person’s capacity to change, learn and grow. He holds BACP accreditation (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), reflecting his professional commitment to counselling standards and ongoing development.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Lee draws on attachment-based therapy to explore how early relationships shape current patterns of connection and coping. This approach helps people understand feelings around abandonment, attachment issues and relationship difficulties, and supports building more secure ways of relating. He also uses client-centered therapy, which prioritises the client’s own experience and pace; the therapist offers empathic, non-directive support so the person can find meaning and solutions relevant to their life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another core approach in his work - it focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress and to develop practical coping strategies.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Lee works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals and preferences. He treats this as a shared exploration, adjusting as progress is made. Online therapy offers practical benefits for this work - video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, to access support from different locations and to maintain continuity of care. These options provide flexibility and accessibility while allowing therapists and registered professionals to tailor sessions to the client’s preferred format.