Lucy Isherwood
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
Welcome
Most of us have times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed, low or struggle to cope. This may be due to a crisis or a particular life event, an accumulation of stress or difficult past experiences which are still affecting you now.
Counselling can also be useful if you’re feeling stuck, confused or unfulfilled in your life, or would simply like to work on your personal development. It can give you insights, resources and skills which can be useful for the rest of your life. Making the decision to come for counselling is not a sign of weakness or failure, but a positive step towards creating a happier, healthier life for yourself!
I have a warm, compassionate approach, and work holistically - meaning I include your thoughts/beliefs, feelings, body and spirit (whatever that means to you). I'm also trained in working with trauma and the nervous system in safe, effective ways and offer a range of therapeutic approaches, meaning I can find the best way of working with you as an individual.
In addition I offer Creative Therapies (art, writing, sandplay therapy, movement) and Eco-therapy (counselling outdoors) - please see my website for more details.
I create a safe, accepting space where we can look at your current and/or past difficulties together, as well as reconnecting you with what supports and nurtures you.
I am BACP Accredited and see both adults and young people (aged 11+).
I'm non-judgemental and sensitive to differences in ethnicity, culture, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ability and gender.
I have over 13 years experience and offer both short-term (6-10 sessions) and longer-term therapy. As well as seeing private clients, I have worked as a counsellor in GP surgeries, mental health projects and with charities such as the Children's Society.
I offer both indoor and outdoor (Ecotherapy) face-to-face counselling sessions . I also offer online and telephone sessions.
If you have any further questions or wish to make an initial appointment, please contact me. I offer a free phone or video call (of up to 30 minutes) to discuss your needs. All information you share with me is confidential.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have an Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling and qualified in 2008. I'm also trained in safe, effective ways of working with trauma and the nervous system.
I'm an Accredited member of BACP, which means I've reached a particular level of competence and experience, and practice in accordance with their Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
I have extensive experience of counselling adults and young people from all walks of life and with many different issues. These include anxiety, panic attacks, depression, low confidence / self-esteem, relationship problems, loss, bereavement, family problems, domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, trauma, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, fertility issues, sexuality and gender identity, parenting issues, anger, work stress, bullying, chronic illness (such as ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia), climate change grief/anxiety and spiritual crisis.
As well as working privately I've worked for the NHS and for several different counselling agencies such as Mental Health charities and the Children's Society. Before training to be a counsellor I worked in Adult Mental Health, providing both group and 1-2-1 support for adults. I also have experience of supporting young people in Care.
I became a counsellor after having experienced the transformational process of counselling myself and am committed to my own ongoing personal and professional development.
Member organisations
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 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
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £55 per hour for sessions.
I can sometimes offer a discounted rate of £40 per session for those who are on benefits or are in financial difficulty - please enquire.
For young people aged 11-14 I can offer a shorter session time of 45 minutes for £50 if this is more appropriate to their needs.
When I work
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I offer in person and online appointments on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9.30am - 7pm. And online appointments on Thursdays between 9.30-1pm
Further information
Is counselling for me?
Whatever your background, age or gender, you can benefit from counselling if you’re open to learning about yourself and feel ready to change.
What happens in an initial session?
The introductory session enables you to tell me about yourself and whatever is concerning you and I will ask some background questions so I can get a fuller picture of your life. We can also explore what you'd like to get out of counselling and you can decide whether I'm the right counsellor for you.
How many sessions? If you choose to work with me, I recommend a minimum commitment of 6 sessions to allow you to build trust in the process and feel some benefit. You may feel you only need a few sessions to look at a particular issue or you may decide to commit to a longer period of counselling to explore your life in more depth. I ensure we review our work regularly to make sure it is still fulfilling your needs.
