Lesley Papper, BACP

Lesley Papper is an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor and a registered member of the BACP - the professional association for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom. She has worked across a range of settings and combines her experience in both independent private practice and online work with Betterhelp. She is contactable by email at lesleypappertherapy@gmail.com.

Lesley creates a warm, accepting space where individuals can explore their concerns at a pace that suits them. She recognises that people develop coping strategies to manage hard experiences, and that those same strategies can sometimes become unhelpful. Rather than judging those patterns, she supports clients to identify alternative, healthier ways of managing emotional pain and everyday challenges.

She balances attention to immediate difficulties with work on longer-term aims, and may explore where issues began as well as how they show up in the present. Lesley encourages self-acceptance and self-care as foundations for change and invites clients to reflect on their lives with kindness while working toward practical steps that promote wellbeing.

Lesley has supported people experiencing grief, low mood and depression, anxiety and stress, addiction and eating disorders, survivors of sexual violence, and those living with hidden or physical disabilities and neurodiversity. She offers both short-term and longer-term therapy, emphasising resilience and structure to help clients make lasting changes.

Therapeutic approaches for remote support

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice and accept difficult thoughts and feelings while clarifying personal values and taking steps toward a meaningful life. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and patterns that feel stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours and works to replace unhelpful thinking and coping patterns with more adaptive strategies - it is commonly used for anxiety, low mood, and practical problem solving. Client-Centred Therapy emphasises the therapeutic relationship and creates a non-directive, empathetic environment that supports self-exploration and emotional processing, which can be particularly helpful for building self-esteem and working through relational or identity concerns.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Lesley works with each client to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adapting techniques over time so therapy remains relevant and responsive. The aim is to co-create a plan that feels manageable and effective for the individual.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter or more immediate contact can happen via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to schedule appointments around work, family, and geographic constraints, allowing consistent access to licensed professionals and ongoing therapeutic support.