Accessible Counselling & Therapy
Accessible Counselling and Therapy (ACT) is an accredited service by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP), providing affordable, professional counselling in Bromley, South London, and Kent since 2003. We support individuals aged 18 and above, offering a compassionate approach to managing and overcoming personal, emotional, and mental health challenges. At ACT, we believe in accessible mental health care for all, regardless of financial barriers.
Our Promise
Our mission is guided by a deep commitment to the well-being of communities. Through compassionate care and evidence-based approaches. We aim to alleviate psychological distress by providing accessible, affordable, and effective therapy and counselling. By fostering social inclusion, continuously working to prevent social isolation, we hope to respond the needs of marginalised individuals while assisting integration back into society. We seek to advance public understanding and awareness of the complexity of mental health, enhancing public education in the fields of counselling, psychology and psychotherapy. Together, we aim to create more inclusive, informed, resilient communities.
Our Approach to Therapy
We deeply empathise with the courage it takes to seek therapy, and we are committed to accompanying you on this journey. Our ethos is built on a foundation of empathy, respect, and unwavering professionalism. You can trust that we have created a sanctuary, free from judgment, where you can begin to navigate the difficulties that you are facing. Our team of ACT therapists, psychologists, counsellors, are all volunteers working hard towards qualification or their accreditation. It is the dedication from these individuals that enables us to offer a range of interventions that ensure the best therapeutic provision for individuals seeking support. We are proud of the positive results we achieve, and it’s all thanks to the unwavering commitment of our volunteers.
David Maskall
Chair of Trustees
David is a highly regarded and trusted senior executive with over 45 years’ experience in financial services and retired from his current role in March 2025. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in November 2014 and was responsible for all major operational functions, including Technology, Information Security, Investment Operations & Middle Office and Business Risk & Control.
David has extensive experience managing key operational functions, possesses wide-ranging product knowledge and has a strong background in Operational Risk.
He was a member of the UK Executive Committee, Change Management Committee and Business Risk Committee as well as sitting on certain Group committees.
David has excellent commercial skills and is an experienced people manager, leading teams in the UK and internationally.
Louise Oades
Trustee
Louise Oades is Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at Gulf International Bank (UK). She has been practising law for over 20 years, principally within asset managers, and is dual-qualified in England & Wales and New York. Louise brings extensive expertise in legal, governance and regulatory compliance, developed through senior roles in the UK financial services industry.
She advises the Board and executive committees on legal and regulatory matters, ensuring robust frameworks across GIB’s business lines. Louise is committed to promoting transparency and ethical leadership while aligning legal and risk strategies with the firm’s strategic objectives.
Samantha Merry
Trustee
Samantha is a BACP Senior Accredited psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. Here experience includes hospice counselling, bereavement support, domestic violence advocacy and Women’s Aid settings.
She currently supervises trainee and qualified counsellors for a trauma-focused charity, supporting reflective practice, ethical decision-making, and professional development.
Samantha is also a steering committee member for ESTD-UK, the UK network of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation, which supports practitioners through training, conferences, supervision, networking, and professional development in trauma, complex trauma, and dissociation.
Samantha is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy and Psychological Trauma.
Alongside her clinical work, Samantha brings more than 25 years’ business experience as a founder and director, including operations, finance, staff management, digital development, and strategic partnerships.
As a trustee, she brings senior clinical experience, safeguarding awareness, organisational knowledge, and a strong commitment to accessible, ethical mental health support.
Charlotte Prior
Treasurer
Charlotte is Treasurer / Trustee at Accessible Counselling and Therapy, where she supports the charity’s financial governance and helps ensure its resources are managed in a way that sustains and strengthens access to counselling services within the community.
Charlotte works full time as RFP & Data Manager at Gulf International Bank (UK) Limited, bringing over ten years’ professional experience in financial services. Her background spans operational and investment roles, giving her a strong understanding of financial controls, regulatory environments, and organisational governance. She now specialises in RFP and data management, working closely with senior stakeholders to deliver accurate, high-quality submissions and to support strategic growth.
Alongside her professional expertise, Charlotte has been a certified Mental Health First Aider for more than five years and is passionate about promoting mental health awareness in the workplace. This lived and professional experience strengthens her commitment to ACT’s mission of providing accessible mental health support to those who need it most.
Meet the Clinical Director
Dr Raffaella is a clinical psychologist, psychoanalytic psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. Her knowledge, skills and experience have developed through psychotherapeutic work in private practice, as a psychotherapist in Crisis Centres and Therapeutic Communities, and as a senior manager and clinical supervisor in the third sector designing therapeutic services and providing clinical interventions to children, adults and older people. She worked closely with NHS CAMHS (Children Mental Health Teams) and CMHTs (Community Mental Health Teams) and mental health hospital staff in the provision of tailored psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions to individuals and large communities across London and South England.
Dr Raffaella’ clinical expertise include individual, couple and systemic therapy, long and short term, work in schools, community, hospitals and therapeutic centres. She has over 20 years experience of working with individuals affected by depression and anxiety disorders, relationship conflicts, abuse, bereavement and trauma. Over the course of her professional career, her focus has been about improving access to mental health support for communities and individuals experiencing isolation, financial struggles, and discrimination.