Max West

Max West is a pluralistic counsellor and a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). He works within The Awareness Centre’s NHS Counselling Services in Lambeth and is currently completing a Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology. His training is grounded in humanistic and integrative principles, and he works flexibly across a range of therapeutic approaches, including structured Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) where this is collaboratively agreed. Max has experience working in community and NHS settings, supporting adults experiencing a range of emotional and psychological difficulties. His work is guided by professional ethical standards and a commitment to providing accessible, compassionate, and respectful care.

Max offers a calm, collaborative space where clients can speak openly and feel met with empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Working pluralistically, he recognises that people come to therapy with different hopes, preferences, and ways of making sense of their experiences. He invites clients to play an active role in shaping how therapy unfolds, including the pace, focus, and style of the work. For those who value an open and exploratory process, Max offers a person-centred approach that encourages reflection, self-awareness, and personal growth. Where a more structured focus is beneficial, he can work within a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) framework, helping clients identify patterns in their thoughts and behaviours and develop practical strategies for responding differently. This collaborative and flexible approach is particularly valuable within short-term NHS therapy, where shared goals and clarity of focus help support meaningful progress.

Max has experience supporting people experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, bereavement, relationship and family difficulties, workplace pressures, and the emotional impact of significant life changes. He has also worked within the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust Community Connections Wellbeing Service and The Grove Substance Misuse Service, supporting individuals facing complex life circumstances. With a background in psychology and a longstanding interest in how people make sense of their experiences, Max approaches therapy with curiosity and respect for each person’s unique story. He aims to provide a therapeutic space where clients can feel steadier, gain perspective on the challenges they are facing, and move forward in ways that feel more coherent, meaningful, and aligned with what matters most to them.