Dani Allen
Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, PGDip
About Me
I am a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with over eight years’ experience in mental health, including NHS services. I work primarily with adults who struggle with anxiety, low self-esteem, and people-pleasing patterns, particularly where fear of rejection, self-criticism, or health-related challenges have impacted confidence and quality of life.
Many of the people I work with appear capable on the outside but feel anxious, self-doubting, or emotionally exhausted underneath. Therapy offers a space to understand these patterns, strengthen self-trust, and begin making choices that are guided by values rather than fear or pressure to please others.
How I Work
My approach is collaborative, structured, and compassionate. I draw primarily on CBT, alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and compassion-focused approaches. In practice, this means we focus on understanding what keeps difficulties going, developing a kinder relationship with yourself, and supporting meaningful, sustainable change rather than short-term reassurance.
What You Might Notice Changing
Over time, many clients notice they feel more confident expressing their needs, less driven by guilt or self-criticism, and better able to make decisions without constant overthinking or reassurance-seeking. Therapy is purposeful and paced, with regular reflection to ensure the work continues to feel helpful and relevant.
Experience
Experience With Long-Term Health Conditions
Alongside my work with anxiety and self-esteem, I have extensive experience supporting people living with long-term health conditions, particularly where physical health difficulties have impacted confidence, identity, or emotional wellbeing. I currently work part-time within an NHS Talking Therapies service as a CBT Therapist specialising in long-term conditions and have completed additional training in this area. Where relevant, therapy can integrate both psychological and health-related challenges in a thoughtful joined-up way.
Professional Background
Alongside private practice, I currently work within NHS Talking Therapies as a CBT Therapist. I work in accordance with BABCP standards of conduct, performance, and ethics and take my professional responsibility to clients seriously.
Qualifications
- Psychological Intervention (CBT) PG Diploma, University of Surrey
- Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy PGCert, University of Exeter
- Low intensity Psychological Interventions in the context of long-term persistent & distressing physical health conditions, University of Surrey
- BSc (Hons) Psychology, University of Portsmouth
Memberships & Accreditations
Areas of counselling I work with
Fees
Private Healthcare Insurance
- AXA
- Aviva
- WPA