Back to teacher & therapist directory

Introduction

(previously Alison Thorpe) I'm a Counsellor and Focusing practitioner. I work with an approach called 'Clean Language' which has a lot in common with Focusing. Here's an example video to see it in practice. https://youtu.be/suAaFjoazbc?si=YWFqPVtmi6gb9szU It works online as well as in-person.

What services do I offer?

Focusing-influenced Clean Language sessions in Brighton or online (Zoom).

I am currently recovering from a health issue and am looking to be up and running again from October 2025.

You can come with an 'issue' or with a sense of something you want to explore, even if that is vague (often we feel something that isn't in words but it is calling to us in some way). Also have a think about what you would like to have happen - is there something you'd like to have, or something you'd like to be different, something you'd like to be able to do, or a knowing that you'd like to feel differently about yourself or in your life?

I am working with Clean Language and image-making. Maybe you're curious about drawing or sketching your issue and see what develops through the process - we're not talking here about anything 'arty' or polished or skilled etc - so many people kind of freeze when art-making is suggested, feeling they are 'no good at art'. I've recently been very inspired by something called 'Messy Drawing', using Canva software, where you can quickly sketch or squiggle or otherwise represent something of importance to you - perhaps that thing that is calling to you. Something in you would like attention and a clean language session or series of sessions could be what it needs....

Another way of exploring an issue and it's carrying-forward is something called Clean Space. You start with something you want to explore and write or draw or squiggle something on a post-it. You then place yourself where you 'need to be' in relation to your topic (on your post-it). You check in with yourself about what you know 'from here' about your topic. You are then guided to lay out a series of 4-6 post-its in turn with simple guiding questions at each, gaining new experience and knowledge. The process is easy to do and can bring surprising new insights and change. It is amazing what can come from using space in this way.
https://youtu.be/PNNPtdcaJ2I?si=K0CbA03Na1Sc4-SQ

My background in Focusing

I came across Gendlin's book, 'Focusing' around 2002, but I didn't learn focusing until I took a weekend course in 2011. I'd tried doing focusing from the book, but that wasn't easy. When I did start learning focusing, it very quickly became 'oh this is what I've needed' and I threw myself into focusing fully. It was hugely helpful having focusing during my counselling training. I've experienced an enormous amount of healing from focusing, and being a client in focusing-oriented counselling for many years. For the last 3 years I have been training in an approach called 'Clean Language'. This uses questions - that feel more like prompts - that really help to access embodied experience and experience that comes in symbols and metaphor. My personal calling is using clean language combined with image-making. This could be done online or in-person.

More about clean language at
Https://cleanlanguage.com/
https://cleanlearning.co.uk/
https://cleanchange.co.uk/

Qualifications

Diploma in Counselling, Level 4, City Lit, London, 2017.
Focusing Practitioner, BFA, 2019.
Current training with Wendy and Paul at: https://cleanchange.co.uk/

How do I practice?

• In person
• Online

Back to teacher & therapist directory