Lee Whelan, BACP

Lee Whelan brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to working with people facing addiction, relationship strain, grief, trauma, and a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges. His background includes substance abuse counselling and roles in health education and the justice system, as well as direct clinical work with both adults and young people. That combination has shaped a practical, flexible way of working that recognises how personal history, family context, and present-day stressors interact.

He places importance on meeting clients where they are, combining empathy with curiosity to help uncover meaningful pathways forward. Creativity and collaboration are central to his practice - he aims to build shared goals and practical steps that fit each person’s life and values. Lee emphasises the strengths and resilience people already carry, and he supports them in developing skills for long-term coping and change.

In session he draws on a range of therapeutic approaches to match the needs of the individual, and he works with issues from parenting and family dynamics to eating concerns, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and addiction. He is a member of the BACP which is the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, reflecting his commitment to professional standards.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns formed in early relationships and how they influence current connections and emotional responses. It can help people navigate intimacy-related concerns, attachment wounds, and issues that stem from family of origin dynamics. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, nonjudgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the work - it supports self-exploration, self-esteem, and personal agency when facing life transitions, depression, or stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) examines the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and offers practical strategies to manage anxiety, mood difficulties, and unhelpful coping patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Lee works collaboratively with clients and licensed professionals to identify which methods best fit the client’s goals, needs, and preferences, and he adjusts the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit support into busy or complex lives. These formats allow ongoing, consistent work from different locations and can increase access for international clients or those with scheduling constraints.