"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and a deep loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen."

Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Alessandra Jolliffe

Integrative Psychotherapist

Jolie Life Therapy is a professional and confidential psychotherapy service based in Battersea SW11 until March 28th, 2024 / Kensington W8 from March 28th, 2024

Book an appointment now

Testimonials

In March 2013, I lost my son. He was 28 years old. I was devastated. The pain of losing a child is unbearable. I sought out psychotherapy because I knew I needed help. As I have other children and grandchildren, I needed to be strong both for them, as well as for myself - and not fall into deeper depression. Alessandra was excellent, very empathic and supportive. She understood the pain I was going through. I felt comfortable talking to Alessandra, she made me feel at ease and really knew what she was doing. I would advise anyone seeking psychotherapy for any reason, to see Alessandra. Without her help I do not know where I would be. Thank you Alessandra and keep up the good work.

Rosemary

My sessions with Alessandra can only be described as life-changing. I'd never had therapy before so wasn't sure what to expect and felt the need to approach it cautiously. Alessandra understood and respected this and as the sessions progressed, her intuitive and perceptive questions helped me to discover many home truths. Exposing these has increased my awareness in key areas of my life. Although some areas we covered were painful to discuss, Alessandra always approached these tactfully and sensitively, respecting my need to take things in at my own pace. Since my six months of sessions finished I have continued down the path I want to with my family relationships, which are becoming healthier and stronger as a direct result of the therapy. I can only recommend Alessandra and suggest that if you are considering a course of therapy you will be in very safe hands with her.

Amy

I now understand why people say, “Everyone should see a therapist.” As we grow up we pick up signs, signals and habits from around us. Some of those learned behaviours aren’t the healthiest and the source may be entirely innocent. In a way it’s like building a wall with all the bricks available around you. Some of them may be a bit crooked or chipped. The work that Alessendra has done with me has been life changing. We’ve deconstructed that wall and replaced all the crooked and chipped bricks with clean, new bricks. My outlook on life is clearer and I’m so much better able to keep a positive balance in my life. Working with Alessandra has the added bonus that we both come from similar cultural backgrounds. That makes a huge difference when handlings family related issues. I cannot recommend Alessandra highly enough – she really has changed my life.

H

Earlier this year I found myself feeling very low, overwhelmed and lost, whilst searching for the help I knew I desperately needed, I came across Alessandra profile and immediately reached out to her.

Our initial consultation was extremely overwhelming for me and I can’t begin to explain my appreciation for her patience, understanding and professionalism. After the first session I continued with Alessandra for 9 months of successful and life changing therapy.

She enabled me to address some issues in my past that I was unable to do on my own, helped me understand why I negatively react to certain situations and empowered me to change my life for the better.

Thank you Alessandra, I am truly grateful.

I can honestly say, hand on heart, that Alessandra is one of the most important people in my life. Throughout the last four years, she has helped me to transform a hopeless and overwhelming situation into my happiest and most hopeful chapter yet.

Her style is distinctive, combining professionalism and intelligence with genuine care and empathy.

The lowest points during the last four years have often left me feeling confused and very lonely. Yet without fail, Alessandra's combination of expert theory and steadfast emotional support have anchored me on a weekly basis, gradually building my confidence and reminding me of the soundness of my own mind. I often wonder how I would have managed without that precious time together.

Four years on, I have now changed many aspects of my life for the better. I have created boundaries where there were originally none, I have separated from people who were hurting me, I have left a job which was making me miserable and I am engaged to a girlfriend I could only have dreamt of meeting four years ago. Alessandra has supported me throughout the whole journey, patiently reminding me of my self-worth at every junction and never losing faith.

In our final session together in May 2016, I told Alessandra that she is one of the people I will think of the most on our wedding day next year. Because as I celebrate a life that I am finally proud of, I will know in my heart that none of it would have been possible without her. And for that, I will always be eternally grateful.

Harriet

Alessandra is really friendly and welcoming yet professional. I choose her over a number of other therapists based on her initial email response. She was prompt, kind and welcoming. I went to her initially without really knowing why. I had a difficult childhood and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t carrying around baggage that would cause me issues in later life.

Over the course of a year with Alessandra I was able to tackle some really important issues that came to the surface throughout the sessions. I really struggled initially to open up and found the process a little uncomfortable. Despite a few wobbles on my part Alessandra was supportive and understanding and I got back on track.

I soon found myself looking forward to our sessions and even collected thoughts to 'bring into the room' as I went about my week. One part I thought worked particularly well was Alessandra's method of ending therapy, the last few sessions help you really reflect on the work you’ve done. They help you transition from therapy with a plan of action moving forward. I came out with a much more positive view of myself.

If you're considering therapy, I urge you to go for it and I highly recommend Alessandra as your therapist.

Martin

I first went to Alessandra when I was going through a very sad and low time. I had recently broken up with my partner, sold our house and moved back in with my parents. I had lost a life I knew and loved and it was hard to come to terms with. I had reached such a low point that even the support of my friends and family wasn't helping. This, I should add, was extremely difficult for them.

I arrived in my first session and felt secure and comfortable straight away. I had no fear or embarrassment of opening up to Alessandra and immediately knew that I had picked the right psychotherapist. At times, I was embarrassed to open up to my family and friends - but Alessandra made me feel that the therapeutic space was a safe place to talk, with absolutely no judgement. Alessandra genuinely cared about what I had to say and helped me to make sense of so many thoughts that I had going through my mind.

Over the course of the next few months, thanks to Alessandra, I became stronger, more aware of myself and my ability to communicate and I am now a fundamentally happier person. I cannot thank her enough for what she did for me.

Rosie

I started seeing Alessandra when I was in a very sad and lonely place a few years back. A combination of different worries, anxieties and issues from my past had all built up and I felt at a dead end. I saw Alessandra once a week for a number of months and the sessions have completely turned things around for me. They have helped me to open up more and deal with the problems I was facing. You feel like you can trust Alessandra straight away, and she makes you feel safe and able to talk about things that might normally be hard to address. The sessions have really changed my outlook on things and I am a far happier person, equipped to deal with life much better. I would highly recommend her sessions.

Charlotte

My father's death was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with and after years of suffering, I finally decided to see a psychotherapist. I can say with confidence that I made the perfect choice. The therapy helped me greatly in working out why I behaved the way I did, it helped me gain more confidence. I was lacking in social skills and had self-confidence issues, which were resolved to a greater extent with the help of this therapy and Alessandra. I feel as though I am a much stronger person than I was before psychotherapy. With the help of this therapy, I was able to work out what was really bothering me. The issues, if not completely resolved, don't effect me in such a negative way anymore. Alessandra effectively taught me how to focus on my goals for a prosperous future. She was great to talk to, at first, I was bit nervous due to my ethnic background but all those worries vanished after the very first session and I knew that I could talk to her about anything and everything and that she would not be judgmental at all. It turned out to be true and I believe I couldn't have been more comfortable with any other therapist. Also worth mentioning is that I always left the sessions feeling pounds lighter and more positive. There were huge cultural issues due to my background. Alessandra, to my surprise, knew a lot about my culture and was aware of most of the things I was having a difficult time dealing with. She was able to guide me correctly on how to deal with those issues, when I myself was failing to do so. This therapy has helped me a great deal, I have become more and more accepting in who I am. I have also started seeing things from the perspectives of others, which has led to positive relationships with some difficult people in my life. Alessandra was very supportive and without these psychotherapy sessions, I would still be in a very bad and lonely place. I would recommend Alessandra to anyone who is going through a tough time.

Sara

I started going for sessions with Alessandra more for other people than for myself, feeling I’d become a real burden to those close to me. Due to this approach, I went in doubtful and uncertain of the process and how it would be for me - Alessandra’s ability to work with patience and kindness brought me into trusting her and what a difference that made!

The sessions with her really became a place of calm and safe thoughtfulness, at a time when the outside world felt overwhelming, harsh and impossible. Constantly monitoring the pace of the sessions, she truly works with you in whatever way is best for you. Her great intelligence and tact mean that you can trust her with rewiring thought processes you may have entrenched in an unhelpful or unhealthy way. Though this can take time, and probably repetition, she never makes you feel foolish or stupid for needing the time and space to work things out.

Therapy never felt like a thing for me for a few reasons, but mostly because the way it’s portrayed in films and on TV is a sterile, humourless and cold thing. Alessandra really isn’t that at all - she would never ever make you feel weak for seeking help, sessions were often entirely enlightening and funny, and above all they were full of empathy and kindness.

Claudia

Alessandra is a lovely person, she is open, friendly and patient, as well as being empathetic at all times and always tries make sense of you and your issues. She is the sort of person with whom you feel safe to talk, she is a good listener and a skillful psychotherapist and continually strives to find a way to help.

For the duration of our sessions over one year, I always felt as though I was redescovering myself and I discovered that I could live a happier, better life, without experiencing feelings of guilt I typically felt. She facilitated me to realise that I needed to establish boundaries with certain people around me and that it is okay to say “no” sometimes!

At all times, I really felt as though she truly cared about me as a person and was not just doing job, which is very important, taking into account that we feel vulnerable when talking to someone about our greatest fears, pains and secrets.

She always talked to me about my future, what would happen when our sessions came to an end and did her best to prepare me for what was next.

I am eternally grateful to her, for all the changes I managed to make in my life. I recommend psychotherapy sessions with Alessandra with all my heart.

Thank you Alessandra for being there for me.

Celina

Alessandra has literally helped me change my life for the better. During our first meeting I felt down and I had a very closed opinion of myself, my situation and life. Alessandra worked with me to help me realise everyone deserves to be happy and more importantly I could actually be happy!

I am eternally grateful to Alessandra for all of her help and guidance. I am a completely different person now compared to when we first met.

Alessandra's friendly, approachable nature makes it easy to discuss any subject with her.

Alanna

I had psychotherapy with Alessandra for a year and it was a very good experience. She helped me to understand the issues I had. She was very attentive; as a result of the therapy I implemented some positive changes in my life.

Aga