Leyla Akaidere , BACP

Leyla Akaidere is a UK-licensed therapist who brings a depth of experience from more than a decade working within the NHS and over three years as an Accredited High Intensity Counselling Psychotherapist. She holds a Psychology degree and is PCE-CfD qualified, and she is also associated with the BACP. Leyla has supported people through depression, relationship difficulties, family conflict, grief and loss, and the many challenges that come with major life changes.

Leyla approaches therapy with a clear belief in each person’s strengths and knowledge of their own story. She works collaboratively to help clients build on those strengths while addressing patterns that cause distress, and she aims to empower people to move toward a more fulfilling and happier life. Seeking therapy is a courageous first step, and Leyla offers steady professional support as clients take those steps and work toward change.

Her background in high-intensity counselling means she combines focused, evidence-informed methods with a respectful, person-centered stance. Leyla’s clinical experience across a range of issues allows her to tailor sessions to the needs of individuals and families facing emotional pain, transitions, or complex relational concerns.

Evidence-Informed Care and Online Support

Leyla brings accredited high-intensity counselling to the online setting, offering focused interventions that help people work through depression, relationship problems, and intense life transitions. High-intensity counselling involves structured, concentrated sessions that target patterns of distress and build practical coping strategies to manage symptoms and improve daily functioning.

She also uses a person-centered stance that emphasizes the client’s own expertise about their life. This approach prioritizes empathy, active listening, and collaboration, helping clients explore values, relationships, and personal strengths as part of the therapeutic work.

Alongside these approaches, Leyla integrates evidence-based techniques tailored to issues such as grief, family conflict, and coping with change. These techniques are selected to fit the individual’s situation and goals, and they aim to reduce distress while supporting long-term adjustment.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Leyla works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods suit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the plan as therapy progresses.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or messaging make therapy more flexible and accessible for people with busy schedules, mobility limits, or caregiving responsibilities. These options allow clients to engage in meaningful therapeutic work from locations that work best for them while maintaining continuity of care with licensed professionals and therapists.