Ali El-assad, PACFA

Ali El-assad is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, motivation struggles and parenting concerns. He works in English and Arabic and brings six years of professional experience to sessions. He encourages people who are nervous about starting therapy and values their strength and knowledge of their own life.

Ali believes people are the experts on their stories. He listens first, then helps identify practical steps to ease daily habits and thought patterns that feel stuck. Sessions are conversational and focused on small changes you can try between appointments.

His work often centres on everyday thoughts and habits - how routine thinking and behaviour keep problems going and how to shift them. He supports people dealing with grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep and eating concerns, anger, addictions, and career or life-purpose questions.

Ali also works with people managing ADHD, bipolar mood challenges, first responder stress, immigration-related distress, and complex interpersonal problems like attachment, jealousy or infidelity. He integrates evidence-based therapeutic techniques in a straightforward way and tailors the approach to each person’s needs.

People can expect clear goals, simple exercises, and a focus on what fits into daily life. He aims to make therapy feel practical and manageable, helping clients build skills they can use outside sessions.

How evidence-based techniques translate to online care

Ali uses a few well-established therapeutic techniques and explains them in plain language. One approach focuses on noticing thoughts and small daily habits that keep problems going, and then testing new, more helpful ways of thinking and acting. This method suits stress, anxiety, low mood and ADHD-related routine struggles. Another common approach emphasises practical skills to manage strong emotions and improve sleep, eating and anger control by breaking problems into manageable steps and practising new responses.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. He will discuss goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together the therapist and client select techniques that fit the person’s situation and adjust them over time based on progress and feedback.

If you are considering online therapy, check the current session options before booking. The practical benefits include fitting sessions into a busy week, reducing travel time and allowing a shorter check-in when needed. Online sessions can also make it easier to keep continuity of care while juggling work, parenting or study commitments. Confirm available formats when you book so sessions match your day-to-day needs.