Alan Opfer, BACP
Alan Opfer is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who helps people facing addiction, stress and anxiety.
About Alan
Alan Opfer is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom who helps people facing addiction, stress and anxiety. He has three years of professional experience and holds BACP registration. He speaks English and uses a non-judgemental, person-centred style to help people find practical ways forward.
He has direct experience supporting people through alcohol and substance concerns, including harm-reduction, controlled use, binge patterns, and coping around detoxification. He draws on lived experience of addiction and recovery, which shapes how he listens and the practical focus he brings to sessions.
Background and approach
Before counselling work he spent time as a housing support worker and gained knowledge of multidisciplinary clinical and community supports. That background informs how he thinks about practical needs alongside emotional recovery. He aims to join therapeutic work with real-world supports when they are helpful.
In sessions he adopts a person-centred approach, which means the client’s priorities shape the work. He also uses mindfulness techniques to help with stress and emotional regulation, and solution-focused methods to identify clear, achievable next steps. Sessions tend to be straightforward and task-oriented when needed.
People come to him for a wide range of concerns beyond addiction, including anger, self-esteem, relationship strain, grief, career stress, trauma and abuse, and depression. He also supports issues such as attachment, codependency, chronic illness and caregiver stress. He aims to treat each person with respect and practical support.
Details from the counsellor's public professional profile · registration number listed
← Browse all counsellorsRegistration
| 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.
Cost Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything Alan lists on their public professional profile, 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
Ways of working Alan names
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor lists and does not check training records.
How Alan’s approaches translate to online therapy
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person’s own goals and experience, with the counsellor responding to what matters most to the individual and helping them steer the work. This approach is useful for people who need a compassionate, listening space to sort out priorities.Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce stress and ground difficult emotions. These techniques can help with anxiety, stress, chronic pain and urges linked to substance use.
Solution-Focused Therapy looks for small, practical steps that bring measurable change. It is goal-oriented and helpful for people who want clear, achievable actions between sessions.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The counsellor will collaborate with each person to decide which methods suit their needs, goals and preferences. That choice can change over time as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat and text messaging. Video is good for more conversational sessions and visual connection. Phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and messaging suit people who prefer typed reflection or need flexibility across their day. These options make it easier to fit counselling around work, family and other commitments.
Frequently asked
What kinds of problems can I bring to sessions?
Alan helps with addiction-related issues and a broad range of mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, relationship strain, trauma and abuse.
How would he approach my situation in therapy?
He works in a person-centred way, putting the client’s goals first and tailoring the process around them. He also uses mindfulness and solution-focused techniques to build coping skills and small, practical steps.
What experience does he bring to sessions?
He has three years of professional experience and lived experience of addiction and recovery, which informs his practical and empathetic style.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP, and practises in the United Kingdom.
Can I work with him if I live outside the UK?
Sessions are offered in English and he does not accept international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist’s availability.
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