Helen Leach

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Counselling, Psychotherapy & Supervision Services.
No current availability
No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7EU
No current availability
No current availability

This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

Thank you for your interest in working with me.  Due to a full practice, I currently have no availability to take on new clients; I will keep this page updated to reflect my availability as it changes. 

Hello and welcome. My name is Helen. 

With over twelve years clinical experience counselling adults, teenagers and children, I offer a confidential space in which to build a healing therapeutic relationship centred on warmth, honesty and respect.  

I support people through their experiences of abuse, anxiety, bereavement, childhood trauma, estrangement, grief and loss, low self-confidence, separation, transitions, trauma, and feelings of emptiness, regrets, sadness and unhappiness.

I also work with parents to empower them to be the best parents they can be, supporting them with concerns regarding their children for example, anxiety, self-esteem, grief and loss, anger and communication. 

A space for you to talk, reflect and be listened to - where your voice can be truly heard

Counselling has the potential to alleviate personal distress, improve emotional health and wellbeing, benefit relationships, as well as facilitate growth and change in many aspects of your life.

ABOUT YOU

Choosing the right counsellor for yourself or your child is important.

Research shows that the 'therapeutic relationship' between client and counsellor is crucial to successful counselling.

So... you may need to meet with a few counsellors to find the right one - of course, one who has the right skills and experience, but above all a counsellor who will 'get' you or your child; one who will listen with compassion and without judgement.

COUNSELLING WITH ME

FOR ADULTS & YOUNG PEOPLE:

My priority
is to tailor the counselling process to you; to understand you as an individual with your unique experiences and relationships, with all the complexity, responsibilities and worries that you may be dealing with.

My aim is to enable you to explore, make sense of and reflect on your feelings, thoughts, relationships, behaviours and experiences at your own pace, without feeling judged.

My hope is that you gain a better understanding of your self, your experiences and your feelings. This process has the potential to lead to change and growth in you, your relationships and in other aspects of your life.

I have worked with adults and young people of all ages:

* anxiety * low mood * feeling sad * depression * bereavement * loss * termination of pregnancy * estrangement * divorce & separation * relationship breakdown * betrayal * childhood * sexual violence * relationships * disability and illness * mental illness within the family * alcoholism within the family * suicidal thoughts * difficulties at work, school, college or university * emotional, physical and sexual abuse * anger * stress * low self confidence * self harm *

have extensive experience supporting adults, young people and children who are affected by loss through terminal illness, death or the divorce, separation or estrangement of someone close.

Clients have told me that through therapy with me they have noticed change in themselves and in their lives including:

* increased confidence * less anxiety * improved mood * calmer feelings * more control over their anger * greater understanding and acceptance of the past * improved relationships * a better sense of who they are * renewed hope and trust in the future * life feels on track * stronger and happier in themselves * greater sense of calm * able to move forward positively * feel happier * enhanced self-awareness * improved parenting * experienced therapy as a life-changing process * feel optimistic * able to enjoy the 'here and now' * developed healthier ways of coping with stress *

FOR CHILDREN (5 YEARS+) - PLAY & CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIES

Children communicate through play and creative arts. Play provides the 'language' and toys provide the 'words', enabling children to make sense about things that are troubling them. In their sessions children lead their play within a safe and therapeutic setting. Through non-directive therapeutic play children are free to express their emotions and thoughts at their developmental level and their pace.

I use toys based on families, real life and role play, creative and sensory activities, and books relevant to their experiences and developmental age to nurture children's emotional expression. 

Children often can't find the right words to express how they feel so their emotions are communicated through their behaviours and may lead to sleep difficulties, tummy aches, headaches, loss of appetite, and for some, their carefree nature appears to have diminished. 

I have supported children through therapeutic play and creative art therapy with life changes and concerns, including: 

* bereavement * separation * divorce * difficulties at school * anger * worries * foster care * low self esteem * mental illness within the family * domestic violence * alcoholism within the family * abuse * sadness * anxiety * child protection or child in need plans * change in living arrangements following care proceedings *

I am experienced in working with children who are unable to live with one or both of their birth parents following care proceedings; children who may have experienced domestic violence, abuse, neglect and the difficulties associated with parents' mental health and substance use.

CREATIVE THERAPIES FOR ALL

This is another way to explore thoughts and feelings, and adds a further dimension to the therapeutic process, our exploration and reflections.  

I provide art materials, symbolic objects, and offer sand-tray and clay therapy to facilitate your feelings and emotions, as well as lessening stress in the body.

Expertise in art is not required - it is the process, rather than the end result that is important. Although often suited to children and young people, this approach can provide much insight for adults. There is no pressure to work creatively - it's completely up to you.

PARENT SUPPORT 

Being a parent is one of the most difficult - and important - jobs we will do in our lifetime!  

I am passionate about supporting parents to empower them to become the best parents they can be.

I offer a series of bespoke support sessions to help parents to:

  • understand and enhance their current parenting style 
  • explore, reflect and connect to their own parenting and childhood experiences
  • feel more connected to their child/ren
  • enjoy more enriching relationships with their children 
  • break the cycle of generational parenting patterns

I provide individualised advice, support and guidance with: 

  • parenting worries
  • parenting skills and confidence
  • parent-child communication
  • understanding and supporting children with their feelings of anxiety, anger, grief, low mood and low confidence

Parent support sessions are agreed on an individualised basis depending on circumstances. 

NEXT STEPS:

1. Confidential phone call or email - to help you find out whether I am the right therapist for you, or your child, we can talk on the phone or via email in the first instance to answer any questions, discuss your needs and together work out the right way forward.

2. Optional introductory meeting - in-person or online 

3. Assessment Session - for me to begin to understand what is bringing you or your child to therapy.  It's also an opportunity to talk about your hopes and expectations about therapy, as well as any questions or concerns you may have.  

For young people the assessment session provides time to meet with you and your child. For younger children I always meet with the parent/carer first.

4. Ongoing Counselling Sessions - sessions are usually held weekly. In some cases more frequent sessions are beneficial.

The frequency of parent support sessions are agreed on an individual basis  

We can work together for a set number of sessions, or have a more open-ended approach. We will regularly review how things are going, with the aim that the ending will be planned and prepared for. For younger children, separate reviews will be held with parents; for young people reviews will be held with both parent and child.

Training, qualifications & experience

Qualified Counsellor & Psychotherapist since January 2013

Accredited member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy since August 2015.  

In March 2022 I completed a 4 year post- qualification Diploma in Relational & Developmental Integrative Psychotherapy and am a member of the International Integrative Psychotherapy Association (IIPA).  I am currently undergoing further studies in this approach to prepare for the final written and oral assessments in 2025.

In March 2023 I completed a Foundation Course in Play Therapy with Roehampton University.

I have provided counselling and psychotherapy to adults since 2011, young people since 2013 including 8 years experience working within varied educational settings - primary, secondary and universities.

I work with adults, parents, teenagers and children in my private practice.

Experience:

  • Private Practice (since 2016)
  • Primary Schools (2016 -2020)
  • Children's Bereavement Centre, Newark (2015 - 2017)
  • CASY (counselling charity for 6-25 year olds: 2013 - 2019)
  • University Counselling Services (staff & students: 2012 - 2016)
  • Secondary Schools (2013 - 2015)
  • Cruse Bereavement Care (2011 - 2014)
  • ISAS (Incest & Sexual Abuse Survivors 2011 - 2014)

Qualifications:

  • Post-qualification Diploma - Relational & Developmental Integrative Psychotherapy 
  • Post- qualification Diploma - Counselling Children and Young People 
  • Foundation Course in Play Therapy 
  • Diploma - Theory & Practice of Counselling
  • Cruse Bereavement Care - Awareness in Bereavement 
  • MA Human Resource Management 
  • BA Hons. Psychology - 1st class 
  • Registered General Nurse

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).

Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.

Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.

All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.

Accredited register membership

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Loss, Grief, Absence and Transitions:

I work with adults, young people and children who are experiencing loss, grief, absence and transitions and with those whose past losses endure:

* Bereavement * Sudden & traumatic bereavement (for example, through suicide, accident) * Anticipatory grief (grief as a result of a life limiting or terminal illness) * Termination of Pregnancy * Miscarriage * Stillbirth * Relationship breakdown * Betrayal * Separation * Divorce * Estrangement * Family change * Empty nest syndrome * Terminal and chronic illness * Redundancy * Dismissal from work * Retirement * Relocation * Loss of childhood (perhaps as a result of abuse) * Loss of supportive relationships in childhood * Loss of safety

Health-related issues:

With my nursing background (including palliative care in a hospice), I am able to work with individuals, or their carers, with health-related issues:

* Medical diagnosis * Cancer * Chronic / long-term illness * Life limiting illness * Terminal illness * Disability

'Looked After' Children & Young People:

I have experience counselling children and young people in care or living with special guardians (SGO's).

I work with adopted children through the Adoption Support Fund (when referred by a local authority post adoption team).

Therapies offered

Fees

£30.00 - £90.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

STEP ONE: To help you make an informed decision about therapy with me, I offer a free telephone consultation (up to 30 minutes)

Optional introductory session in-person / online - £30 (30 minutes)

Assessment sessions will be held with parents prior to therapy commencing: £90 (up to 90 minutes)

STEP TWO: 
Counselling / Psychotherapy / Creative & Play Therapies - £60 per session

Parent Consultations / Support - £90 first session (up to 90 minutes) / £70 follow-up sessions (60 minutes).

Concessions for trainee counsellors - to be agreed based on individual circumstances. 

Organisational Referrals - from £70 per session 

Duration of counselling / psychotherapy sessions:

Children: 45 - 50 minutes

Teenagers: 50 - 60 minutes

Adult / Parent Support: 60 minutes

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

Client sessions - online or in-person:

Tuesday: 10.00am - 5.30pm

Wednesday: 11.30am - 5.30pm

Thursday: 10.00am - 5.30pm 

Friday morning: 9.00am - 1.00pm

Further information

Contact:

Please call, text or email for a confidential chat or to arrange an introductory meeting or initial assessment. If I'm not available, leave me a message and I will get back to you promptly within working hours Monday - Friday.

Location:

  • Situated in Grantham, on Dysart Road, opposite Choices Health & Fitness Club (previously Oceans Gym)
  • Ground floor private office with disabled access
  • Free car parking
  • 10 minutes walk from town centre and railway station
  • On bus route

I have:

  • An Enhanced DBS check (registered with the Disclosure & Barring Service)
  • Undertaken Safeguarding training
  • Current public liability and professional indemnity insurance
  • Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (Data Protection)
  • Monthly clinical supervision (BACP Accreditation requirement)

4 Hearts And Minds, Office 7, Autumn Park, Dysart Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7EU

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older adults

Key details

DBS check

In England and Wales, the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly known as CRB) carry out criminal records checks for individuals working with vulnerable groups, such as children. To find out more, visit gov.uk , or contact this professional directly

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Outdoor stair lift to access reception via steps. Ability to transfer from wheelchair to stair lift is required (or for someone to accompany you to help). Ground floor office. Once in reception, no further steps.

Additional languages

None

Online platforms

Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online

Experienced Adult & CYP psychotherapist offering creative & reflective supervision to develop your practice & support your wellbeing.

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Helen Leach
Helen Leach