Leyla Akaidere, BACP

Leyla Akaidere offers short, clear support for people facing relationship strain, grief, depression and big life changes. She introduces practical conversation and steady guidance to help people manage difficult feelings and day-to-day challenges.

She uses straightforward, evidence-based therapeutic techniques and treats people as the experts in their own stories. Sessions focus on small, workable steps and on building strengths that already exist. Leyla emphasises encouragement and realistic change rather than quick fixes.

Leyla holds BACP, which is recorded here as a professional credential. She has three years working as an accredited high intensity counselling psychotherapist and a background in psychology. Her earlier roles included NHS work that contributed to her practical experience.

In sessions she listens for the problem beneath the surface, then helps people try different ways of coping and communicating. Topics she commonly supports include relationship difficulties, family tensions, grief and loss, depression, and coping with long-term health challenges such as chronic pain or illness.

Her approach suits people who want clear, direct support and who prefer to work on concrete changes. She aims to help people feel more able to cope day to day, improve communication, and make decisions that reflect their values. To start, clients fill out a short questionnaire and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online support

Evidence-based techniques focus on practical change and clearer thinking. One common approach helps people identify unhelpful thinking or patterns, then practise alternative responses in everyday situations; this can reduce overwhelm and ease decision making. Another approach focuses on improving communication and relationship skills through guided practice and role-play, which can help with family tension and commitment concerns.

Choosing the right way of working is a joint task. The therapist will talk with the person about their needs, goals and preferences, and will adapt methods so they feel usable in real life. Clients and therapist review what helps and change course when something does not fit.

Confirm the exact session options before booking because the biography does not list specific formats. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, appointments and caregiving. It can also allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or audio-only conversations when video is difficult. Ask about the available formats when arranging the first appointment to find what will work best.