Vive Therapy & Chris Allsopp

Life is a complicated journey — one that needs careful navigation. Without it, we can find ourselves stumbling along, relying on luck. Some would say my therapy background comes from qualifications; others would say it comes from personal experience.

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I’ve lived with anxiety for most of my life. Being hard of hearing, group and social situations often created challenges — mishearing, misunderstandings, and missed context. I learned to lip-read to fill in the gaps, and to notice subtle facial movements to understand tone and intent. A simple “yes” can mean very different things depending on expression — the eyes, posture, and tension in the face all matter.

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Not being diagnosed with dyslexia  during school affected my confidence. Receiving a diagnosis at 17 answered many questions, but it also led me to step away from formal learning for many years.

For a long time, my way of coping with difficult or social situations was avoidance. I rarely socialised and spent much of my time gaming. Over time, this became something deeper. I recognised the issue in the late 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I truly addressed it and chose to make a change.  I continue to work on myself, a greater understanding of what is now looking like ADHD.

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In 2017, after being diagnosed with depression, I was supported by the NHS and worked with a life coach who helped me move towards a better path. That journey led me to two directions — counselling/therapy or becoming a driving instructor. I trained in both, qualifying first as a driving instructor.

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Very quickly, I found my counselling skills were part of my daily work. Supporting learners, particularly those with anxiety, naturally brought the two together. After being awarded "Special Educational Needs Provider of the Year” Silver in 2026 by the Driver Trainer industry, I chose to fully embrace the therapy side of my work — combining experience, qualifications, and real-world understanding.

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I’ve always taken an autodidactic approach to life — learning by analysing, reflecting, and understanding how and why things work. That mindset has helped me understand myself in depth, and in turn, better support others.

My life experience has been my greatest teacher, supported by formal qualifications that allow me to provide structured, evidence-based therapy.