Lesley Papper, BACP

Lesley Papper is an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP). She has practised across a range of settings and combines that breadth of experience with a private practice to support people facing many kinds of life challenges. Lesley currently works with Betterhelp and is contactable by email for her independent practice.

She offers a warm, accepting therapeutic space where clients can explore difficult patterns and coping strategies without judgement. Lesley recognises that behaviours which once helped to manage stress can, over time, become harmful or limiting. Her approach assumes that people have the capacity and inner resources to find healthier ways forward, and she works collaboratively to support that change.

Lesley balances attention to immediate concerns with longer term goals, and she may at times explore the origins of a difficulty to better understand current thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. She encourages self-acceptance and self-care as foundations for progress and invites clients to reflect on their lives with kindness while taking practical steps toward improvement.

She has experience supporting people with grief, low mood and depression, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety and stress, survivors of sexual violence, hidden and physical disabilities, and neurodiverse clients navigating a predominantly neurotypical world. Lesley offers short-term or longer-term work, moving at the client’s pace and focusing on building resilience and structure to support lasting change.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Lesley often draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Client-Centred Therapy along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working online. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them, and supports taking committed action toward personal values - it can be useful for anxiety, stress, and life transitions. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on providing an empathic, nonjudgmental relationship where the person feels heard and understood, creating space to explore emotions and build self-acceptance. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying and gently challenging unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns to develop practical coping strategies for conditions such as low mood, anxiety, and sleep difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lesley will collaborate with each client to determine which methods fit best with their needs, goals, and preferences, and may adapt techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Lesley is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family, or mobility needs, and allow clients to engage in ways that feel most comfortable while working with a registered professional.