Laura Hughes
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This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional has no current availability for new clients. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Hello, I'm Laura, welcome to my page. I am a fully qualified, experienced counsellor, counselling supervisor and a Registered Member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), working from my counselling room in Droitwich Spa. I hope you find all the information you need here, but please feel free contact me for further information, or visit my website where there is more for you to read about counselling.
Life always has something to throw at us, and sometimes it can become too much to cope with on our own. Family and friends may be supportive but sometimes you need someone separate to talk to. Things happen that we don't anticipate - family issues, relationship breakdown, death and bereavement, illness, changes and stress at work. Other times, things creep up on us slowly until we find ourselves overwhelmed. Sometimes we need to reach out to someone and share how difficult we are finding it to cope.
I have 10 years of experience in supporting people through emotional distress, whether it is a short-term crisis or a long-term debilitating emotional or mental health issue such as depression or anxiety. I have been described by many people as a calming person to be around, and feedback from my clients has shown that this comes across in our work too. It's important for me to make sure that we are working in a way that makes you feel safe and supported, and this starts from the moment we meet, when I always offer a free initial meeting so that we can take some time to get to know each other a little before you make a commitment to counselling.
Which type of counselling do you offer?
I work with a 'person-centred' approach, which is all about allowing you the time to gradually explore your experiences and help you to find clarity when you may be filled with uncertainty about the way forward, in the safety of a warm and accepting relationship. Our work will help you to identify your needs in life, and reflect on how your thoughts and feelings have developed over time. Reflection in this way can help to identify new perspectives on a situation, and open up conversations about your options.
Throughout my training I have studied a number of other theories and approaches which I bring into our sessions as and when they are appropriate because I feel they can be real gems in helping an individual to understand what they're going through. This is sometimes described as an integrative way of working. Counselling is a personal experience, so sessions will naturally be tailored to your needs, all through a gentle therapeutic conversation. Follow this link to my website to find out more: https://laurahughestherapies.co.uk/about-counselling
Sometimes counselling is about helping you through a short term crisis or change in your life, and sometimes it is about delving a bit deeper and helping you to understand yourself and how you have been formed by your experiences over time. What we focus on will be down to what you wish to explore - this is your time.
Who do you work with?
I work with individual adults, aged 18 and up.
Where are you based?
My therapy room in Droitwich Spa is a beautifully calming space and very comfortable - I'm based at Amphlett House on the Worcester Road. Being based in the heart of Worcestershire makes it easily accessible to visitors throughout the county. I also offer remote counselling via telephone, video and email.
When you contact me:
If I'm not able to answer the phone right away, please leave a message with your name and a contact number so that I can ring you back at a convenient time for us both. Alternatively you can email me, or send me a text message with your details. I aim to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible, normally within 24 hours. I am the only person who accesses my phone/answerphone/emails, so please be assured that your call will be confidential.
Further information:
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about counselling - there is no pressure to actually book an appointment when you contact me. It may be that you'd like some time to think about things following our conversation before making a first appointment.
I have tried to answer some more questions you may have on the 'frequently asked questions' page on my website.
Take care,
Laura
Training, qualifications & experience
As well as running my private practice, Laura Hughes Therapies (formerly Ember Counselling), I work with Employee Assistance Programmes to provide counselling support to local people and organisations. I have previously worked as a volunteer counsellor in a number of settings, including: online with a London-based charity; with Droitwich Foodbank; with young people at HOW College, at a local wellbeing centre; with stroke survivors and carers at the Stroke Association; and with people recovering from grief at Cruse Bereavement Care. I was also involved with various aspects of Worcester Samaritans for over 7 years, supporting both callers and volunteers.
I have worked with people from many walks of life, a variety of age ranges, male, female and non-binary, and people experiencing issues such as depression, relationship breakdown, anxiety, to name but a few examples.
Qualifications
- Certificate in Clinical Supervision (2020)
- (Level 7) Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health Science (2017 - 2018), covering the latest research on depression, anxiety, psychosis and dementia
- BACP Certificate of Proficiency (2015)
- Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (2012 - 2014)
- (Level 6) BSc (Hons) Counselling Psychology (2009 - 2012)
- Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies (2012)
- Level 2 Certificate in Awareness in Bereavement Care (2011)
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills (2011)
- Level 2 Introduction to Counselling Skills (2010)
I am committed to ongoing training and ethical practice as a Registered Member (MBACP) of The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). My studies in psychology at degree level mean that I am a Graduate Member (MBPsS) of The British Psychological Society (BPS).
I have an enhanced DBS (formerly known as CRB) check and am fully insured.
Member organisations
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
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
I'm here to help you and that means focusing on what you need from counselling right now. I work with people experiencing: depression, anxiety, relationship issues, bereavement, abuse, stress, low self-esteem and low self-confidence to name just a few issues. If something is not listed here, please feel free to contact me to see if I could help.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Additional information
It is important for me to make the counselling services I offer affordable and accessible - afterall, this is not just an emotional commitment, it's a financial one too. There is no pressure to commit to any more sessions than you would like to, and I will always encourage you to take some time to think about how you feel about working with me following an initial meeting/first session. Sessions normally last about 50 minutes but this is flexible depending on your needs. I also offer a free initial 30 minute meeting to all new clients, so that you can see if working with me feels right for you.
- Initial Meeting (30 minutes): Free
- Individual session (50 minutes): £40 per session
Please see my website for fees and more information relating to these and other services.
If you wish to cancel an appointment, I require at least 24 hours notice, otherwise the full cost of the session will be payable.
When I work
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I generally work from 1pm-8pm Tuesday to Friday. I work in a mix of formats: telephone, online/video and in-person. Please enquire for further information on my current availability.
Further information
I hope you have found the information you needed here today. Please take a look at my website, https://laurahughestherapies.co.uk for more information, or feel free to contact me to discuss your next steps. I look forward to hearing from you.
