Alex Ferguson
About Me
Hi, I’m Alex and I’m a fully qualified integrative and relational therapist working with individuals and relationships. If you’re anything like me when I was first looking for a therapist, you’ll be wondering how you’re meant to find the right one when everyone’s profiles seem so similar.
Research shows that the fundamental factor that makes therapy a success is the strength of the relationship between therapist and client. That means the key to finding the best therapist for you is a little bit like online dating: you can get a rough idea from the profile, but you really find out whether you might gel together on the first meeting. The difficult truth is that you might not get it right first time - but every relationship will teach you more about what’s right for you.
My practice is anti-racist, neurodivergent-affirming and LGBTQ+ inclusive. Clients of all races, sexualities, neurotypes and genders are welcome in my therapy room and, if you wish these areas to be part of our work together, we will explore your relationship to these parts of your identity with curiosity and sensitivity.
Below, I’ve outlined how I like to work, my experience and how I would hope to foster a relationship that will help you make the changes you wish to see.
What therapy is like with me
As an integrative therapist, I draw from multiple models of therapy to create a unique way of practising which helps me build our relationship. I’ve refined this approach as a result of my training and what has worked for me in personal therapy - so I have lived experience of its effectiveness.
Primarily, I work with a blend of Person-centred Therapy, Compassion-focused Therapy and Attachment Theory. Below, I’ve briefly outlined what each of these three models will look like in practice in our sessions:
Person-centred Therapy: You will be in the driving seat for your therapy; we will go wherever you want to go at a pace that you dictate. My goal is to understand what it’s like to be you, to see what life looks like through your eyes and view it without judgement. You understand your circumstances better than anyone and are the best person to identify the changes needed - I’m here to help you uncover them.
Compassion-focused Therapy: If you’re a person who can be self-critical or struggles with shame, we can look at where that critical voice has come from, what it might be doing for you (both good and bad) and how we can bring greater balance to your emotions.
Attachment Theory: We can look at your core relationships growing up and how they might be impacting your life and relationships today. Once we understand this, we can explore any unhelpful patterns and how you might be able to repair them.
All of this combines into an experience that I hope you will find as challenging as it is reassuring, empowering as it is vulnerable and transformative as it is grounding.
Couples and Relationship Therapy
People come to relationship therapy for all kinds of reasons: to deepen a bond, navigate change, repair and reconnect, manage a crisis, or part without lasting harm. All are equally valid. I won't assume what the right outcome looks like - that's for you to decide; I'm here to help you get there.
I have specific training to work with couples and relationships, recognising that the therapeutic process can feel very different. All of my profile above is still relevant, but there are some extra considerations when there are multiple clients in the room:
- Equality: Everyone should feel equally heard in our sessions. My role is to be an ally to the relationship, not to anyone's side. All relationship dynamics are co-created and reinforced - we’ll explore each person’s part so everyone feels empowered to create change.
- Communication: We'll focus on the space between you - the patterns shaping how you each express and receive feelings, needs, and boundaries. Drawing on Emotion-Focused Therapy and Attachment Theory, we'll explore where these come from and what happens in the moments that bring you closer or pull you apart.
- Safety: Emotional safety is key in all therapy but is particularly important in relationship therapy when navigating difficult territory. From the outset, we’ll establish ground rules that support honesty and trust. Where topics feel difficult, such as sex, infidelity, or shame, we’ll approach them at your pace, without judgement.
I work with relationships of all kinds, including ethically non-monogamous and LGBTQ+ relationships. Whatever your structure, dynamic, or configuration, you won't need to justify it to me - my role is to understand what it means to you and help it reach its best form.
Training, Qualifications and Experience
- Private Practitioner at Wharf St. Practice (Sep '24 - present)
- Counsellor - New Wortley Community Centre, Leeds (January '23 - June '24)
- Relationship, Couples, Sex and Sexuality Training (Jonathan Lake Consulting)
- MA Integrative Counselling (Leeds Beckett University)
- Introduction to Compassion Focused Therapy (Compassionate Mind Foundation)
- Introduction to Transactional Analysis (Northside Training)
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies – Yorkshire Counselling Training
I have also carried out formal research into how therapists can work with the climate crisis and eco-anxiety in clients - feel free to ask me about this!
Outside of Psychotherapy, I have worked across the Primary and Higher Education sectors in various teaching and widening access roles since 2015.
Sessions & Fees
Sessions are available in person, online or over the phone.
I am available for sessions on Wednesday afternoons and evenings, Thursday all day and Friday all day. The first session is 60mins and all others after are 50mins
Clients can pay session by session or book in four at a time for a £5/session discount.
Individual Therapy: £60/session or £220 if booking in four at once
Couples/Relationship Therapy: £75/session or £280 if booking in four at once