I'm a BACP registered counsellor and trainee counselling psychologist. I offer a place to explore what's happening in your life, understand patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and work towards change that matters to you.
You don't need to have everything worked out before getting in touch.
You can begin wherever you are, whether there's one clear difficulty or simply a sense that something isn't working.
I'm interested in understanding the person, not just the problem.
Some people come to therapy knowing exactly what they want to talk about. Others have been getting through things for a long time but aren't sure why they're anxious, low, or dissatisfied. Both are perfectly reasonable places to start.
When we meet, I'll listen carefully and take your experience seriously. I'll also ask questions, offer reflections and share psychological ideas where they seem useful. You won't be expected to do all the talking while I sit silently, and I won't assume that a particular method is right for you before I've got to know you.
My training draws on person-centred therapy, CBT and psychodynamic thinking. We might focus on understanding long-standing experiences and relationships, work on what happens in day-to-day life, or move between the two.
Therapy with me is a conversation we build together. I want you to have a sense of what that means before we meet.
In our first sessions, I'll ask about what has been difficult, what you've already tried and what you'd like to be different. There's no need for a polished explanation.
I'll listen, but I may also notice a pattern, ask you to look at an experience from another angle or offer an idea for us to consider. You can disagree with me. That is part of working collaboratively.
Some sessions are exploratory; others are practical. We'll check whether the work is helping and adapt the approach rather than carry on with something that doesn't fit.
Not sure what you need from therapy yet? That's something we can work out together.
Make an enquiry →Understanding yourself matters. So does finding what helps.My approach to therapy
Alongside anxiety, low mood, grief, and life transitions, much of my work is with the patterns that don't always look like a problem from the outside.
Knowing the practical details can make it easier to decide whether counselling feels manageable right now.
30 minutes online. A chance to ask questions and see whether working together feels right.
50-minute appointments, held online. Some concessionary rates may be available.
50-minute appointments in West London, available by arrangement.
My cancellation policy asks for 48 hours’ notice. We can talk about fees and availability before you decide to start.
Make an enquiry →I've written about therapy, men's confidence and the different roles our habits can play in our lives. You're welcome to have a read before deciding whether to get in touch.
When a behaviour becomes difficult to leave behind, it may help to look beyond willpower and consider what the experience offers in the context of someone’s life.
Read articleA closer look at what happens in therapy, why therapists ask about emotions, and the ways understanding and practical change can come together.
Read articleWhy becoming more disciplined or successful does not always resolve insecurity, and how self-worth can become tied to the results of self-improvement.
Read articleI offer a free 30-minute consultation so we can meet, talk about what's been going on, and get a feel for whether working together seems right. There's nothing to commit to.
You're also welcome to email me directly with any questions before booking.
I'm Max. I work with people who want to make sense of what's happening in their lives, whether that's a particular problem or a feeling that something keeps getting in the way. Here is what you can expect when we meet.
I am a BACP registered counsellor and trainee counselling psychologist completing a Professional Doctorate at London Metropolitan University. I work from a pluralistic perspective, drawing on person-centred therapy, CBT and psychodynamic ideas.
What matters to me is that therapy reflects what you find useful. Some people want to look more deeply at past experiences, others want to understand what is happening now or try something different in everyday life. Often we do a little of each.
Our free 30-minute consultation is a chance to meet, ask questions and see whether working together feels right. I will want to understand what has brought you to therapy, but you do not need to tell me your whole story or discuss anything you are not ready to share.
You can also ask me about fees, availability, how I work or anything that would help you decide.
I see therapy as something we do together. I will listen and give you space, but I will also ask questions, share observations and offer psychological ideas when they may help. I do not assume that being listened to is always enough, or that every difficulty needs a technique.
If you need practical strategies, we can look at those. If something needs more time and understanding, we can make room for that too. I want you to be able to tell me when something does or does not feel useful.
There is no obligation to book ongoing therapy after a consultation. If you choose to continue, standard individual sessions are 50 minutes. We can discuss whether you would prefer a short-term focus or something more open-ended, and review how things are going as we work.
I offer counselling primarily online across the UK, with in-person appointments in West London available by arrangement. I can explain the options and practical details when you get in touch; my residential address is not published here.
Common questions about the therapeutic process, online sessions, and what to expect from our first meeting.
If you couldn't find your answer above, feel free to send me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Send an enquiryLooking for free groups, peer communities or urgent mental health contacts? Explore support resources →
Sometimes writing offers a better sense of how a therapist thinks than a list of approaches. Here are some pieces I've written about therapy, self-worth and the reasons certain behaviours can be difficult to change.
When a behaviour becomes difficult to leave behind, it may help to look beyond willpower and consider what the experience offers in the context of someone’s life.
Read articleA closer look at what happens in therapy, why therapists ask about emotions, and the ways understanding and practical change can come together.
Read articleWhy becoming more disciplined or successful does not always resolve insecurity, and how self-worth can become tied to the results of self-improvement.
Read articleThese articles are published on Counselling Directory, where you can read each piece in full. I also write about the things people bring to therapy and what they might mean.
Therapy is one way of getting support, but it isn't the only one. Different people need different kinds of help at different times. These services, communities and resources are a starting point for anyone looking for information, connection or additional support.
My practice is not a crisis service and I cannot provide an immediate response to enquiries. If your safety or someone else's safety is at risk, please use the services below.
If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
Call 999 ↗For urgent mental health support in England, call 111 and select the mental health option, or use NHS 111 online.
NHS guidance ↗A confidential listening service for anyone who needs someone to talk to. Call 116 123, day or night.
Call 116 123 ↗Text SHOUT to 85258 to speak by message with a trained volunteer, any time of day or night.
How Shout works ↗Some people find it helpful to talk with others who have related experiences, whether online or in person. These are separate organisations, not services run by my practice.
A free, moderated online community where adults can share experiences and support one another. It is not an emergency service.
Explore Side by Side ↗Local Mind services can offer peer support, information, activities and sometimes counselling. Availability depends on your area.
Find local support ↗Free, peer-led talking groups for men, with local meetings and online options. Check their group finder for current availability.
Find a group ↗Community spaces built around making, fixing, learning and connecting. Search for a Shed in or around London.
Find a local Shed ↗These organisations offer opportunities to learn, ask questions and meet other people. A diagnosis is not required for some groups; check individual eligibility.
Volunteer-led groups for adults affected by ADHD, including online drop-ins and topic-based discussions.
Explore peer groups ↗Online support groups and events covering work, relationships and everyday life with ADHD, with free places on sessions.
View upcoming groups ↗You do not need to be a private client to seek support. There are NHS and charitable services worth knowing about, too.
Adults experiencing anxiety or depression can often refer themselves directly to their local NHS Talking Therapies service.
Find an NHS service ↗Confidential support is available. Refuge operates the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for women; Men's Advice Line supports male victims.
If you would prefer to explore something one-to-one, you're welcome to arrange a free first conversation with me. You don't need to be part of any particular group or have a diagnosis.
You don't need to have everything worked out before getting in touch. If you'd like to ask about availability, how I work, or whether I might be able to help, you're welcome to send a short message.
A short message is enough. You might ask about availability, fees, online or in-person sessions, or whether counselling with me could be a useful fit.
This opens your email application so you can write and send your message directly. Please avoid sharing detailed health information in an initial enquiry.
My email: maxthomasdaywest@gmail.com
You can suggest a date and time using my consultation request page. I’ll reply personally to confirm what works.
Request a free consultation →This website offers a consultation request form as well as direct email. The form asks for your name, email address and preferred call time. You can also choose to provide a phone number and a short note about what brings you to therapy. Both are optional. Please avoid including detailed or sensitive health information in an initial request.
This website is run by Max West, a BACP registered counsellor. This policy explains what information is collected through this website, and how it's used.
This website does not use tracking cookies. If the consultation form is enabled through Netlify Forms, your name, email address, requested date/time and any optional phone number, alternative availability or introductory message you provide will be transmitted to Netlify, which processes and stores the submission so that I can respond. If you email directly, the message is sent using your email provider. Please do not include detailed health information in an initial enquiry.
A consultation request is not a confirmed booking. When the form is hosted with Netlify Forms, requests are received through Netlify and can be sent to my email via an administrator-configured notification. I will contact you personally to agree a suitable time. Netlify may retain submissions in the site dashboard until they are deleted. More information: https://www.netlify.com/privacy/.
This site uses Plausible Analytics, a privacy-focused service that does not use cookies and does not collect or store any personal data about visitors. It only records anonymous, aggregate information such as page views.
Any information shared as part of therapy itself, once we're working together, is held separately and confidentially in line with the BACP Ethical Framework, and is not connected to this website in any way.
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to ask what personal data is held about you, to have it corrected, or to have it deleted, subject to any professional obligations that may require records to be kept. To make a request, or if you have any questions about this policy, please get in touch.
Max West · maxthomasdaywest@gmail.com