Rate Ayotunde Popoola

"Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it." — Charles R. Swindoll

I am Ayotunde Popoola, an integrative counsellor working for Better Help, as well as running my own private practice (Identi5 Counselling & Therapy - https://identi5counselling.com/ ).

I am a registered member of the Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions(ACC) and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I am committed to practising in accordance with their ethical standards and professional frameworks.

With a Level 4 Diploma in Counselling and a Diploma in Counselling Supervision, I have over three years of post-qualification experience supporting clients through a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges.

My approach combines Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS). I believe that every individual has the capacity for growth, healing and meaningful change and that no single therapeutic model can fully address the complexity of human experience. By integrating different approaches, I tailor therapy to each client's unique needs and circumstances.

I work with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, depression, bereavement, trauma, relationship difficulties, life transitions and more. I provide a warm, safe and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences at their own pace.

In addition, I understand that faith and spirituality can be significant aspects of a person's identity and life experience. As a Christian, I welcome and provide space for conversations around faith and spirituality for those who wish to explore these aspects of their lives within the therapeutic process.

Equally, I welcome clients of other faiths, non-faith, beliefs and backgrounds and will always work in a way that respects your individual worldview.

Whether faith is a source of strength, uncertainty, questioning, or personal meaning, it can be explored in a respectful and supportive environment.

Together, we can explore the challenges you face, strengthen your resilience and help you move towards a more authentic, purposeful and fulfilling life.

How I Work

Our first session focuses on getting to know you and understanding your current circumstances, personal history and the challenges you are facing. We will also discuss how we will work together, including confidentiality, boundaries and what you can expect from the counselling process, helping you to feel informed, safe and supported from the start.

Where time permits, or in the following session, we will collaboratively identify your goals for therapy. These goals provide a useful foundation and direction for our work, while recognising that therapy is an evolving process. As both our understanding of your circumstances deepen and your needs change, we will review and adapt our focus accordingly. In this way, therapy remains flexible, responsive to emerging issues and centred on what is most important to you throughout our work together.

I look forward to working with you!