Support Directory
Our Applause for Thought support directory contains contact information for a variety of specialists including counsellors, psychotherapists and coaches who offer their services to those associated with AFT at a discounted rate.
To become a member of AFT’s support directory, each individual has had to declare their professional status, insurance and proficiency in training, as well as their experience of working with those in the arts industry with a diverse range of identities and lived experiences. We at AFT are unable to guarantee each specialist’s availability as they work independently. For all enquiries, please get in touch with the specialist directly. If you have any questions regarding our support directory, or would like to find out more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at info@applauseforthought.co.uk.
Where do I start when choosing support?
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In the UK and Northern Ireland, the main distinction between a therapist and a coach lies in their focus and approach. Therapists primarily work with individuals on psychological issues, emotional challenges, and mental health conditions, using therapeutic techniques to promote healing and growth. They are regulated by professional bodies and typically hold recognised qualifications in psychology or counselling. They have typically trained for 3+ years.
Coaches, on the other hand, focus on personal or professional development, helping clients to set and achieve goals, boost performance, and improve life skills. Coaching is generally forward-looking and action-oriented, without involving clinical interventions. As coaches are less regulated than therapists, it is important to do your due diligence when looking to put support in place for yourself. An appropriately qualified coach should typically have trained for 9+ months.
While both therapists and coaches support individuals in their personal journeys, their methods and objectives and what they can work with you on are quite different.
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Choosing a mental health practitioner involves understanding your needs, goals, and preferences for support. Therapists and coaches both offer guidance but in different ways: therapists are trained to help with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional distress, using clinical interventions. Coaches focus on personal or professional development, helping clients set and achieve goals without delving into underlying mental health conditions.
When choosing a therapist, consider their modality, as this can shape the therapy experience. Common modalities include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which addresses unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns, and Psychodynamic Therapy, which explores how past experiences influence current feelings and behaviours. Humanistic Therapy, like Person-Centred Therapy, focuses on self-exploration and self-acceptance, creating a non-directive and supportive space. Integrative Therapy offers an amalgamation of many different modalities and tailors support to the individuals needs. If you are interested in learning more about modalities, click here.
In coaching, approaches such as Solution-Focused Coaching and Transformational Coaching are popular; these focus on goal setting, overcoming obstacles, and developing new perspectives.
Whichever you choose, look for qualifications and credentials. Therapists are typically regulated by bodies like the BACP or UKCP, while reputable coaches may hold accreditation from organisations like the ICF (International Coaching Federation). This ensures that the practitioner has met professional standards, helping you feel more secure in their expertise.
All the therapists and coaches on this directory are appropriately qualified but we always recommend you do your own due diligence when choosing someone to support you.
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We are always trying to expand our directory but recognise that there may not be a practitioner on here that’s suitable for everyone.
You can find a therapist through several reliable sources. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) have online directories of accredited therapists, searchable by location, speciality, and approach. The National Health Service (NHS) also offers free therapy options; you can ask your GP for a referral or access self-referral pathways for mental health services in some areas. For private options, platforms like Counselling Directory and Psychology Today UK list qualified therapists across the country.
Finding a coach can be straightforward with several trusted resources available. The Association for Coaching (AC) and the International Coach Federation (ICF) have directories of certified coaches, searchable by location, coaching speciality, and experience level. For private options, platforms like Life Coach Directory list qualified coaches throughout the UK, covering areas such as career development, life transitions, and personal growth. Some coaches may also specialise in particular industries or challenges, so browsing their profiles can help you find the right fit for your needs.
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All advertised session prices are inclusive of the Applause for thought discount. Rather than charging practitioners to be on our directory we ask them to pass on a discount to those trying to access support. This is at the practitioner’s discretion. In order to access the discounted rate, please mention AFT when you get in touch with them.
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Supporting yourself can be a significant investment. If you are considering applying for financial assistance to access therapy, there are various options available. Some organisations listed below provide bursaries for therapy, but these are typically means-tested. For additional information, please visit their websites:
Actor’s Benevolent Fund
BAPAM
The Theatrical Guild
Royal Theatrical Fund
Additionally, many therapists may offer reduced-cost sessions upon request.
What are you looking for?
Psychotherapists
It can feel overwhelming to search for a psychotherapist or counsellor (psychotherapy focuses more on long-term issues and growth, while counselling aims to help people resolve current issues, but some people use the term interchangeably). Below is a list of accredited, insured and vetted practitioners who all have some experience or knowledge of the pressures and challenges (as well as the joys) of working in the performing arts (whether on stage or off). We have included links that explain each person’s way of working in their descriptions, their fees (inclusive of the AFT discount), their contact details and their accrediting body.
If you’d like to be considered for our Psychotherapist directory please apply here.
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Trevor Gray (he/him)
Transactional Analysis and CBT
I am a qualified talking therapist, counsellor and performance mentor, working mostly online, but also offering bespoke services for those on set, on tour or in need of face-to-face consultations.
£60/session
View his website or email him trevor@trevorgraytherapy.co.uk
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Victoria Abbott (she/her)
Online and In Person
I pull from psychodynamic, gestalt and somatic therapeutic styles to tailor my approach to each client’s needs. I work online or in person (my practice is in Waterloo). I also trained as an actor at drama centre.
£70/session
View her website or email her victoria@victoriaabbotttherapy.com
Victoria is not currently accepting new clients
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Maxwell Addo (he/him)
My role as a therapist is to work alongside you to help find ways to understand and address the issues you may be facing. My approach is to build a safe, trusting and confidential environment that challenges and supports you but also encourages self-awareness, resilience and personal growth.
£60/session
Visit his website or email him info@maxwelladdo.com
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Mary Burch BEM (she/her)
BACP
Integrative and Person-Centred
I am Head of Counselling at Industry Minds and I run my own private practice in Scotland, I volunteer with another charity specialising in addictions and in recent years have worked with trauma and domestic and childhood abuse. I currently offer online therapy.
Mary offers a sliding scale of free to low-cost sessions, please email her for more info.
mary@industryminds.co.uk
Mary is currently accepting new clients
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Zoë Aston (she/her)
Integrative and Person-Centred
My private practice offers support for a range of emotional and psychological topics including addiction, eating disorders, trauma, anxiety and relationship issues, through a dynamic, holistic and integrative, person-centred approach.
£130/session
View her website or email her zoe@zoeaston.com
Zoë is currently accepting new clients
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Matthew Jadavji (he/him)
Integrative and Person-Centred
Online
I value the importance of difference and diversity and advocate for the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities. Having been a client myself and after extensive training, I believe the strength of the relationship between therapist and client is paramount.
£70/session
View his website or email him matthew@anhtherapy.com
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Chris Holmes (he/him)
I am a level 4 qualified person-centred counsellor and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Working with Theatre Clwyd and in private practice.
£40/session
Visit his Instagram or email him surfingthewavecounselling@gmail.com
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Nadia Williams (she/her)
Online
I have extensive experience in supporting children and adolescents, adults, couples, as well as families through working with schools and hospitals. These contexts are multicultural, as well as international and I have a strong competency in recognising the adaptive approaches needed in these different perspectives.
£45/session
Email her Nadia.williamscounselling@gmail.com
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Ed Hannifan (he/him)
In person and Online
I’m dedicated to helping you feel better. Sometimes that's about you simply feeling heard. Other times, it's about uncovering patterns, building resilience, and fostering meaningful change. Whatever it is, together, we’ll create a path toward greater clarity, balance, and connection in your life.
£60/session
Visit his website or email him contact@edhannifan.com
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Lee Ellaway (he/him)
Online
Performers and creatives are often living with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem or confidence. The pressure to constantly turn up as the best version of yourself can be overwhelming. Therapy can help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings. Our sessions will help you focus on your professional and personal goals.
£45/session
Visit his website or email him Lee@LeeEllawayTherapy.com
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Lucy Clayton (she/her)
In Person and Online
Life can be difficult; the pressures of everyday living can be overwhelming and exhausting. Anxiety, depression, major life events, loss or bereavement can all shake our sense of self. The expectation to be perfect, do everything and achieve it all now impossible to manage. This can lead us to question who we are and where we fit within this world. Sometimes it can be hard to understand, accept or even like ourselves.
£45/session
Visit her website or email her lucy@claytoncounselling.co.uk
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Charlotte Sharpe (she/her)
Online and In Person
I am a counsellor/ psychotherapist with a postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London (UEL), accredited by the British Association of Counsellors & Psychotherapists (BACP). I also have a master of science in Forensic Psychology, a bachelor of science in Psychology, and a particular interest in the mind-body connection, maternal mental health and returning to work.
£55/session
Visit her website or email her charlotte.sharpe.therapy@gmail.com
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Amy May (she/her)
Online
I recognise the importance of cultural, social, and personal factors in a person's life, and how these factors might impact mental health and the therapeutic relationship. Special areas of interest are: abuse, trauma and complex PTSD, women’s health, chronic and long term illness, depression, stress and anxiety, relationships, LGBTQIA+ issues, parenting and caring, power, privilege and oppression.
£50/session
Visit her website or email her info@maydaytherapy.com
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Amanda Tooms (she/her)
Pluralistic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Hypnotherapist
In Person and Online
As a pluralistic psychotherapeutic counsellor, I am able to use different theories and techniques that will help you to better understand your sense of self and facilitate further in-depth exploration of whatever it is that you want to overcome. Using a range of methodologies and ‘working together’ means that your therapy session is unique to you, there is no ‘one size therapy that fits all.
£40/session Psychotherapy/Counselling
£50/session Hypnotherapy
Visit her website or email her info@attandw.co.uk
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Gill Murchie (she/her)
Online and In Person
I work with individual adults, young people and couples on an open-ended basis or for an agreed time period, with the aim of improving the quality and enabling you to enhance your life and to live it more fully.
I offer time to listen to you and to talk through your thoughts and feelings about whatever is concerning you at this time. Sometimes people are unable to pinpoint their problem or issue and can feel overwhelmed. I provide the opportunity to talk in confidence.
£50-80/session
Visit her website or email her gillmurchie@gmail.com
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Fuschia Peters (she/her)
In Person and Online
Combining a Performing Arts background with Psychological training and experience has led my practice to a place where larger emotions can be expressed safely, alongside consideration of the personal and collective symbolic meanings that can rise from within and without. Being highly attuned to my own body affords me a degree of trust in what I witness in those I work with. Therefore, potentially seeing further ways to access a truth being held in the body system. .
£50/session
Email her futurepossibilities@gmail.com
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Joanna Scott (she/her)
In Person and Online
I offer both 1 to 1 therapy sessions and private yoga classes. Therapy is a confidential and compassionate space for you to be able to explore your challenges and experiences.I am passionate about the use of creativity and human connection to promote inner reflection and growth. I believe that creativity, in all its forms, reminds us of our connection with the world. Creativity and therapy can help us communicate seemingly unmanageable or overwhelming experiences that happen in life.
£45/session
Visit her website or email her joannascottwellbeing@outlook.com
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Lucy Marsh (she/her)
Online
Lucy gained a Master’s degree in Dramatherapy from the University of Roehampton in 2016 and since then has undertaken a range of training.
She has specialised in the treatment of eating disorders however, her creative dramatherapy training has equipped her with the necessary skills to treat a wide range of mental health problems.
£70/session
Email her lucytmarsh@hotmail.co.uk
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Roshan Jadavji (she/her)
Online
I am a licensed psychotherapist with experience in working with all communities and presenting issues. In addition to my general practice, alongside working with hearing clients, I have an additional niche in working with clients who are Deaf and hard of hearing or have experience growing up in a Deaf environment. I am also knowledgeable about cultural and religious experiences, as well as issues related to the LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent communities.
£60/session
Visit her website or email her Rjadavji@hotmail.co.uk
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Grace Whitson (she/her)
In Person and Online
I’m a BACP-registered integrative counsellor with a background in the performing arts. Having worked in the industry myself, I understand the unique pressures that come with creative training and performance. I offer a warm, supportive space (online or in South East London) where performers can explore challenges and support their emotional wellbeing in the context of a creative career. I approach my work with curiosity and openness, tailoring therapy to suit you and your journey.
£58.50/sessionVisit her website or email her gracewhitson.counselling@gmail.com
Life coaching focuses on helping individuals set and achieve personal and professional goals, often providing practical strategies and motivation to enhance their lives. It can be particularly useful for those seeking direction or a support system while navigating transitions, as coaches encourage clients to identify their strengths and take actionable steps towards their aspirations. Unlike psychotherapy, which typically addresses emotional and psychological issues from the past, life coaching is largely future-oriented, concentrating on goal attainment and personal development without delving into unresolved traumas or mental health disorders. This distinction makes life coaching an appealing option for those looking to improve their lives in a structured and proactive manner.
Coaches
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Crystal Nicholls (she/her)
Health and Performance Coach
My mission is to help MT performers master the tools they need to thrive on and off stage, so they can get back to loving what they do.
I get it. I’ve been there. And I would LOVE to support you in creating a healthy and sustainable performing career on YOUR terms.
£40/session
View her website or email her crystalnichollscoaching@gmail.com
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Laura White (she/her)
Online and Telephone
My focus is simple. Taking everything one step at a time. Giving space. Asking questions to challenge lifelong life scripts. And a listening ear, free from judgement.
£50/session
Visit her website or email her laura@laurawhitecoaching.co.uk
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Dr. Lucie Clements (she/her)
Chartered Psychologist and Psychological Coach
Online
Through coaching I will help you to increase your self-insight, self-awareness and self-confidence. Group sessions can be booked to encourage company cohesion and problem solving.
£35/hour for 1 hour 1:1 Zoom services (students at £20/hour)
£250 for a package of 6 for professionals.
Visit her website or email her lucie@thedancepsychologist.com
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Hannah Nieh (she/her)
Life/Personal Performance Coach
Online
Centering on the core belief that no one knows you as well as you know yourself, without imposing opinion or direct advice, the coaching process exposes our deeply entrenched tendencies through our very own reflections . Like a lantern held high in an uncharted cave, a coach similarly sheds light into the life patterns that may be obscured by years of ingrained habits and assumptions.
Free Initial Session then “Pay What Fits Your Budget”
Visit her website or email her hniehcoaching@gmail.com
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Lucie Turner (she/her)
I will be 100% committed to you and your coaching journey and approach the coaching relationship with openness, empathy, flexibility, appropriate challenge and respect. As individuals, I completely believe that not one size fits all, so like to work in a holistic & person-centred way to get the most out of my clients.
Free 20 min Consultation + free 1 hour intake session, £45/session or £270 for package of 6 coaching sessions.
Visit her website or email her lucie@lucieturner.co.uk
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Bea Grist (she/her)
I specialise in life coaching professional actors and performers. I also run Powerful Pause Retreats where I’ll help you to slow down, breathe and reconnect with your true self. Whether I’m coaching, leading a yoga class, or running a retreat, I am passionate about consciously creating time to pause and reflect whilst leading with compassion towards ourselves and others. This belief is at the core of everything I do.
3 month package: £637.50
6 month package: £1232.50Visit her website to get in touch with her
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Simon Kane (he/him)
Life Coach,Wellbeing Coach and Creative Coach
It takes time and conscious effort to live the life you want. Life can be busy. But that doesn’t mean we should get by day-to-day without taking stock to find out who we are and what we want to do. As your champion and Coach, we’ll work on what makes you happy together. I love nothing more than being creative and we will discover what’s important to you, with a sense of playfulness and imagination along the way.
FREE initial 50 minute session, £60/session thereafter.
Visit his website or email him simonkanecoaching@gmail.com
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Christiana Hartsiotis (she/her)
Online
As an accredited Transformational Life Coach, I specialise in topics such as Goal Setting, Overwhelm/Overthinking, Low self-esteem and Identity crisis (particularly present when having to start over and over again with each new contract, which equals a new temporary bubble and new `cast family`).
£40/session or a bundle of 6 one hour sessions for £220.
Email her c.hartsiotis@gmail.com
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Thomasina Unsworth (she/her)
Wellbeing/Personal Development Coach
I come from a background in acting and writing. I am also an ICF accredited coach and NLP practitioner. This combination of experience and training has enabled me to work with people in creative roles across a spectrum of areas. There have been many transitions in my life, as there are in all lives. At times I have felt lost but looking back that was a good thing as it led to me discovering what is truly meaningful for me, away from attachments, status and external pressures. I believe that we all have more resilience than we think. I also value the qualities of kindness, transparency and accountability and my work is informed by this. I have two daughters and live in Brighton with my husband, where I work as a life coach and a writer.
Free 30 min consultation, £40/hour on Zoom and £50/hour in person.
If 6 sessions are booked, 10% would be taken off these reduced rates.
Visit her website or email her thomasinacoaching@icloud.com
Specialist Support
This section includes a range of professionals who support overall wellbeing through complementary approaches. Whether you're looking for guidance on nutrition, stress management, or alternative therapies, these practitioners offer specialised support to help you maintain balance in both mind and body. From nutritional therapists and somatic coaches to hypnotherapists, each expert provides unique tools to enhance your health and wellbeing alongside traditional mental health and coaching services.
If you would like to be considered for our specialist support directory please apply here.
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Buffy Rowe (she/her)
Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist
I combine Nutritional Therapy with Health Coaching and specialist training in disordered eating behaviours and obesity. In overcoming anxieties about food and health issues, my clients find freedom from their uncomfortable symptoms, to be able to live the balanced, calm and liberated lives they have been longing for, often for many years.
Bundle of 3 sessions for £250/Bundle of 5 sessions for £400
Visit her website or email her buffy@buffyrowe.com
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Sarah Seymour (she/her)
Cognitive Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner
In Person or Online
This is not traditional hypnotherapy. There are no scripts, and I don’t treat the label, I utilise the uniqueness of each person. In a sense, your life experiences have hypnotised you into believing certain things about you that don’t serve you. I can help to de-hypnotise you so you can believe what you choose to. You don’t have to believe your past is your destiny. By rewriting your story, you can choose who you want to be.
£90 for initial 90 minutes, then 60 minutes thereafter.
Visit her website or email her sarah@sarahseymourtherapy.com
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Laura Fowler-Watt (she/her)
Trauma-Informed Stress & Nervous System Coach / Somatic Coach
Online
In my 1-1 practice, I support individuals experiencing challenges such as anxiety, chronic symptoms and the effects of trauma to reconnect with the wisdom of their body and emotions so that they can learn to self-regulate, heal and build resilience within.
I completely understand the challenges that can be faced in the performing arts and care passionately about bringing my work into this space.
£65 for 50 minute session
£380 for package of 6
£600 for package of 10
Visit her website or email her laura@lfwcoaching.com