I'm Madeleine Heffernan, a licensed therapist, based in Cambridge, UK. I work in a number of different ways with clients, tailoring the therapy to the client and their problems. You can read more about my background, education, experience and approaches to therapy on my website locusofsolace.com and my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/locusofsolace
In addition to psychodynamic psychotherapy (which makes sense of issues in the context of past experiences) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (which draws on psychological understandings of negative thoughts and behaviours), I also work in a Compassion Focused approach (encouraging self-compassion) and sometimes use Emotional Freedom Technique (tapping therapy)
I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & trauma and abuse.
I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.
The counselling may include: listening, exploration, understanding and insights regarding your inner experiences and life story (drawing on psychodynamic and CBT theories), tasks and observations for you to focus on outside therapy (if you choose), development of a supportive inner dialogue and other techniques.
I routinely answer messages between 08.30 and 20.00 Monday - Thursday and may reply Friday - Sunday, within those hours, if I have the opportunity (up to an hour of messaging between us per week). I hold live sessions Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 08.00 and the last session at 17.00 (video, phone or instant messaging session) and may occasionally offer catch up sessions outside of those hours.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent personality, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Eating and food-related issues, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Phobias, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Traumatic brain injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
BACP Therapist - Registered Member MBACP #383790
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Madeleine Heffernan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Lovely lady, listens and gives really valuable feedback, definitely knows her stuff.
Written on Apr 26, 2026 after therapy with Madeleine for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and adhd
Thoughtful and compassionate therapist.
Written on Feb 23, 2026 after therapy with Madeleine for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and coaching
Madeleine has been providing amazing support for many months now to help me overcome crisis and solidify a happier me. Impeccable responsiveness to messages, always on time for sessions. She compiles brilliant summaries of each session for reflection. These land into my App just minutes after we finish each time. I am always impressed that she remembers details of my narrative so clearly, sometimes better than me! I feel very lucky to have been matched to Madeleine through Betterhelp.
Written on Sep 21, 2024 after therapy with Madeleine for 1 year on issues concerning relationship issues
Madeleine has been an excellent source of comfort, kindness and wisdom. She really listens and understands the root of concerns and issues and is able to help me to understand the causes more clearly. I feel very at ease chatting to her and she has made my first ever therapy experience as easy as possible.
Written on Jan 15, 2024 after therapy with Madeleine for 1 year on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
The best therapist I’ve ever had! Provide valid insight in an empathetic way.
Written on Nov 28, 2023 after therapy with Madeleine for 5 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts
Madeleine has been incredibly supportive, extremely professional and understanding throughout my sessions so far.
She has communicated in a concise, respectful yet candid way; something that I appreciate tremendously.
I would unreservedly recommend her to anyone seeking help.
Written on Jul 11, 2023 after therapy with Madeleine for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and sleeping disorders