Best Counsellors & Therapists in Alnwick

Finding the right counsellor or therapist is a personal decision, and it helps to know what is available locally before you start. Alnwick and the surrounding area have several experienced, qualified practitioners working across a range of specialisms. Here is our guide to some of the best options.

Sonia Alexander Therapy

Sonia Alexander is an integrative counsellor based in Alnwick town centre, registered with the BACP. She qualified with distinction and has experience working in the NHS, including with GP patients and in care home settings. Sonia works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, and addiction. Sessions are available face to face on Wednesdays and Fridays, or via Zoom and phone on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. A session costs £50, including the initial consultation.

Best for: BACP-registered integrative counsellor with NHS experience, based in Alnwick town centre.

Nicole Huthwaite Therapy

Nicole Huthwaite Therapy is based at St James United Reformed Church, 24 Pottergate, Alnwick. Nicole is a fully qualified hypnotherapist and psychotherapist with over 11 years of experience and nearly 500 clients helped. She holds additional qualifications in EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) and is a PICT Trauma and Abuse Specialist. She works with anxiety, depression, stress, panic attacks, OCD, and abuse. Both face-to-face and online sessions are available, and she offers a free initial consultation. Contact her on 07980 146522.

Best for: Hypnotherapy and psychotherapy specialist with over 11 years of experience and a free initial consultation.

Ruth McIlroy

Ruth McIlroy is an ex-NHS counsellor and EMDR practitioner based in Alnmouth, just a few miles from Alnwick. She spent 10 years as an NHS staff counsellor and now works privately, specialising in stress, anxiety, generalised anxiety disorder, and trauma. Ruth is an EMDR Europe qualified practitioner, which makes her a good choice if you are looking for trauma-focused therapy specifically. She works face to face and online, Mondays to Wednesdays, with fees on a sliding scale from £50 to £55 per session.

Best for: EMDR Europe qualified practitioner with 10 years of NHS experience, based in nearby Alnmouth.

Angela Ramsay

Angela Ramsay is a BACP-registered counsellor working in both the NHS and private practice in Alnwick. She holds a BSc in Psychology, an MA in Counselling, and a Diploma in Gestalt Counselling, and has extensive experience across most areas of difficulty. Angela has also taught counselling at Northumberland College, Newcastle College, and Manchester University, so brings considerable depth to her practice.

Best for: Highly qualified BACP-registered counsellor with academic and NHS experience.

Coastal Talking Therapy

Coastal Talking Therapy is run by Anne van't Hoff from Alnmouth. A former lawyer who retrained as a counsellor, Anne is accredited with the UKCP and trained at the Northern Guild of Psychotherapy. She works with depression, anxiety, bereavement, relationship issues, social isolation, and addictions. One distinctive feature is the option of walking therapy along the Northumberland coastline, which some clients find more natural and less formal than a traditional consulting room.

Best for: UKCP-accredited counsellor offering walking therapy along the coast, based in Alnmouth.

Finding the right therapist

Choosing a counsellor is about finding someone you feel comfortable with. Most of the therapists listed here offer an initial consultation, often free or at a reduced rate, so you can get a sense of their approach before committing. It is also worth checking that your therapist is registered with a professional body such as the BACP or UKCP, which all of the practitioners above are. The Counselling Directory is another useful resource for browsing therapists in the Alnwick area by specialism and availability.