Charlotte Allocca Counselling

Hello and a warm welcome to my practice. I'm Charlotte and I'm a full-time BACP registered psychotherapist providing short and long-term therapy to individuals and couples in Clapham, London and online.

Individual work Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, trauma, relationship difficulties or challenging life transitions? You may not even be able to put a name to your feelings but have a sense that you are stuck and something needs to change. You may just feel you would like to understand yourself better. I can help with that and you are welcome exactly as you are with all your lived experience.

Couples work More and more couples are turning to therapy for support in managing their relationship. I am a qualified and experienced couples therapist working with couples experiencing a wide range of difficulties including communication, recurring conflict, loss of trust, infidelity and problems with intimacy.

Parenting pressures, major life transitions and uncertainty about whether to stay together also all show up in my room. You do not however have to wait until your relationship is in crisis to come to couples therapy. Plenty of couples come to avoid just that - perhaps before marriage or starting a family.

Charlotte Allocca - counsellor in London and the Isle of Wight

Starting therapy can feel daunting whether you are coming alone or with a partner and there is no expectation that you will arrive knowing exactly what you want to say. Our first session is an opportunity for us to start getting to know each other and to explore what has brought you to therapy now. We will talk about your history, important relationships and what you would like to be different but we will work at a pace that feels manageable to you.

Whether you are looking to work short term on a specific issue or seeking longer-term support, whether you are coming alone or with your partner you will be able to explore your thoughts and feelings at your pace with me alongside.

I practise full time in Clapham, London both in person and online. I see adults and couples over the age of 18 from all backgrounds, cultures, races and identities and work with all couples including same sex, polyamorous, non-monogamous and non-romantic.

What issues can therapy help with?

Here are a few of the more common difficulties that I see and can support you with. It is not an exclusive list however and you do not need to have 'diagnosed' your feelings. Recognising that something is wrong and reaching out for help are the first steps to recovery.

See the Blog tab above for a wide range of articles on specific issues that may be relatable to you and a podcast on imposter syndrome in the workplace.

Couples and relationship counselling

Co-parenting

Depression and low mood

Stress, anxiety and panic disorder

Grief, loss, bereavement

Divorce and separation

Addiction and substance use

Trauma and PTSD

OCD

Anger management

Low self-esteem and 'imposter syndrome'

Social anxiety

Health anxiety

Women's health

Major life transitions

Couch by a window with a view of the seat and a coffee table with a mug, book and stone

How I work

As an integrative therapist I assess each individual and couple in front of me and draw on a variety of different therapeutic approaches rather than expecting every client to fit any particular model.

With individual clients I may draw on psychodynamic, person-centred, compassion-focused, solution-focused and CBT approaches alongside mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques. We can be curious about how your past may be influencing your present while also developing practical ways of coping with what is happening in your life now in order to achieve change. Together we will find a place where my passion and experience meet your pain and work out exactly what you need.

In couples therapy my role is not to take sides or tell you whether to stay together. Instead I help you slow down what happens between you and understand the patterns that can leave leave both partners feeling criticised, rejected defensive or exhausted. Therapy gives us an opportunity to explore your patterns and raw spots and start doing things differently. We work on communication more safely, expressing the feelings and needs underneath conflict, rebuilding trust and connection and finding a toolbox of ways of relating differently outside the therapy room.

I also practise Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT or ‘tapping’) which is a trauma technique combining talk therapy with upper body acupressure tapping to restore balance and calm. We can incorporate this technique into your session or use it as a stand-alone. I use this frequently in clients struggling with ruminative and intrusive thoughts or PTSD.

FAQs

I have completed a three-year training in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling. I am registered with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (MBACP) who are the largest UK body for counsellors and psychotherapists and I adhere to their ethics and code of practice. I am also trained and experienced in Couples and Relationship Counselling and am committed to regular continuing professional development. I have trained and worked for many years with Cruse Bereavement Care and Shout Crisis Line and worked with a diverse range of clients providing a low cost counselling service in south London as well as running a busy private practice.

The first session is a chance for us to get to know each other a little. We’ll explore what’s brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping to achieve and if I feel like a good fit for you. The most important part of therapy is our relationship. There is also a brief intake form to go through together. (See blog posts for more details.)

Yes. What you share in therapy with me is entirely confidential. The only exceptions are rare situations where there may be a serious risk of harm to yourself or others. If that arises, I will always try to discuss it with you first.

People come to therapy for many reasons—feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, low, or simply needing a space to talk things through. If you’re considering therapy it’s a sign that something feels wrong. Investing in your mental health is not a self-indulgence.

You don’t need to wait until your relationship is in crisis. Couples counselling can help if you’re feeling stuck, disconnected or caught in the same patterns and offers a supportive space to understand each other better and find a way forward.

Anything. You can bring whatever’s on your mind.

Some people benefit from short term work over 6-12 sessions while others find that long-term support helps them explore deeper patterns. We can regularly review how things are going and decide what feels best for you but you are always in charge.

Sessions are ideally held weekly and ideally at the same time each week. This helps create a sense of continuity and safety as we explore what is going on for you. However fortnightly sessions can be considered and are frequently our runway to ending our work together.

I offer both face-to-face sessions and online sessions via a secure video platform. You’re welcome to choose the option that feels most comfortable or convenient for you.

I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule a session. Cancellations with less notice will be charged in full.

EFT, often referred to as tapping, is a gentle, body-based therapy that combines elements of talk therapy with acupressure. By tapping on specific meridian points on the body while tuning in to difficult emotions or thoughts EFT can help release emotional blocks and reduce distress. EFT can be incorporated into your regular therapy sessions.

Issues Therapy Can Help With

Imposter Phenomenon - The Therapist's Perspective - with Charlotte Allocca

Work Truths: Off the Record · 15 May 2026

“I have been seeing Charlotte for a year to help me process a very traumatic bereavement. She is warm and approachable and I feel I can say all the things to her that I can’t say to anyone else.”

“I had no idea really what to expect from therapy and no confidence that it would help but my anxiety is so much better now. I have insight and coping strategies that I have learned from Charlotte that have turned things around for me.”

“Relationships, work, stress, low mood, panic attacks…I’ve brought it all to our sessions and week by week we unpack it together. I highly recommend Charlotte”

“I felt instantly comfortable with Charlotte from our first session.

She is deeply caring and understanding and creates a comfortable environment.

I would highly recommend her to anyone and everyone.”

“Charlotte is a skilled and very articulate therapist who brings with her a wealth of experience.

With her gentle and warm approach she puts clients immediately at ease and helps individuals and couples overcome their challenges. I wholeheartedly recommend her.”

“Charlotte is a professional and experienced therapist who also brings

warmth and humour.

I have been seeing her for over a year and my sessions are incredibly valuable. I am very thankful to have found her and would highly recommend her.”

My locations

I work full time from comfortable therapy rooms in Clapham, London.

I also offer online and telephone sessions.

Fees

Individuals face-to-face and online: £80

Couples counselling face-to-face and online £120

Contact Me

Contact me if you have any questions or to arrange a free 15-minute telephone call. This allows us to talk more about your reasons for coming to therapy and whether I feel like the right fit for you. With couples we usually have this introductory call online so we can all be present.

I will get back to you within 24 hours of receiving your query. .