Alan Opfer, BACP
Alan Opfer offers straightforward support for people facing addiction, anxiety, depression and life changes.
- Stress & Anxiety
- Addictions
- Anger management
- +10 more
About Alan
Alan Opfer offers straightforward support for people facing addiction, anxiety, depression and life changes. He writes in a non-judgemental way and focuses on practical steps. He is based in the United Kingdom and works in English.
Alan holds BACP registration and has three years of professional experience. Clients often come with problems such as stress, low self-esteem, anger, grief or relationship difficulties. Alan also works with issues linked to trauma and abuse, and supports people navigating career change and LGBT concerns.
Background and approach
He has particular experience with alcohol and substance use issues and a range of related coping strategies. Alan draws on person-centred principles to shape therapy around each person. That means listening closely, reflecting what matters to the client, and helping them set goals they can manage.
He also uses mindfulness practices to help people notice thoughts and feelings without being overwhelmed by them. Solution-focused techniques are used to identify small practical steps that lead to change. Sessions can include planning for harm reduction, building coping skills, or trying new ways of communicating.
The overall aim is steady, realistic progress rather than quick fixes. Before moving into counselling work, Alan spent time as a housing support worker where he learned about multi-disciplinary community supports. He also speaks from personal experience of recovery, which shapes his practical, empathetic approach.
He encourages people to take the next step when they feel ready.
Registration
| Body | Registration number | Expires |
|---|---|---|
| BACP | 406817 | August 2026 |
Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.
Sessions and payment
Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.
Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.
Focus areas and approaches
What Alan works with
Everything Alan lists, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dependent personality
- Dissociation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Intellectual disability
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Phobias
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Alan lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
Online support
He also uses mindfulness techniques to teach simple ways of noticing thoughts, bodily sensations and emotions without getting swept away. These exercises can help with anxiety, stress and cravings by creating a pause between feeling and response.
Solution-focused work is used to spot small, practical steps that move things forward. Clients and therapist identify what is already working and plan short actions to build momentum and problem-solve everyday challenges.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. Alan works collaboratively to choose methods that fit a person’s goals and preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to provide flexibility. Video calls work well for face-to-face conversation, phone calls suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited, and chat or messaging can fit around busy days or provide ongoing written check-ins. This range helps people access support in ways that fit their routines and needs.
Frequently asked
What concerns does Alan commonly help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addiction, anger, depression and self-esteem problems, as well as grief, trauma, career worries and relationship and family-related issues.
How would you describe his therapy style?
Alan uses a person-centred approach, mindfulness techniques and solution-focused methods to help people set achievable goals and build coping skills.
What is his background and experience?
He has three years of professional experience and prior work as a housing support worker, plus lived experience of addiction and recovery that informs his practice.
What credentials and where is he based?
Alan is registered with the BACP and is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with him?
He is not accepting international clients at this time and works with people in the United Kingdom.
What session formats does he offer?
Sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are costs and getting started handled?
Cost varies by location and is arranged via a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire and then schedule according to therapist availability.
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