Paul Lewis
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Based in East Sussex I offer Relationship Counselling for couples and One-to-One Counselling for adults (18+), both online and face to face.
As an Integrative Counsellor, I offer a blend of counselling approaches to best suit your individual needs, and I continue to incorporate other models as well. More importantly, underlying any techniques, I offer you empathy, honesty, acceptance and a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings without feeling judged. With these important factors in place I strongly believe that we can all change to become the best version of ourselves.
In Relationship Counselling, I will teach you and your partner a new way to communicate, blame-free, with a focus on positivity. Just simply having the opportunity to be really heard and listened to by your partner can be profoundly positive for both your relationship and you as individuals. You may not always agree, and that's ok because I will help you find great value in your differences. I will help you to identify any barriers that are stopping you from reaching your relationship goals. You may even uncover some long-held beliefs from your past that are affecting your relationship in the present.
In One-to-One Counselling, you may want to change the way you think or behave towards an issue, or you might choose to look more deeply at past experiences, to help make sense of what you are going through. Either online or face to face, I will offer understanding and gentle challenge to help you gain clarity about where you are, where you want to get to and how to move ahead. I see every person as the expert of their own lives with the ability to develop a strong and healthy sense of self-worth.
To make contact please email, and we can arrange a time to discuss your counselling needs. If we decide we would like to work together, we can arrange a regular time to meet each week, either online or face to face. I offer open-ended counselling because I believe each person grows and develops at their own pace, and it is your decision when you choose to end. I would however, recommend a minimum of 6 sessions to become accustomed to the therapy, particularly if you have never experienced Counselling before.
I work in an LGBTQ+ affirmative way, and whatever your background, culture or identity, you are welcome. As an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) I work within their ethical framework. I also engage with regular CPD and Supervision to ensure I provide you with a quality and up-to-date service.
Training, qualifications & experience
With over 10 years of professional training and experience I have worked in various fields and with a variety of presenting issues. These include alcohol and addiction issues, depression and anxiety, sexual health and identity issues, childhood development and relationship issues. I understand the importance of considering each person as a unique individual and I work in an LGBTQ+ affirmative way, recognising that we are all fundamentally worthy. I am open to helping you find the best approach for your particular needs.
As an Integrative Counsellor I mainly refer to the Gestalt, Transactional Analysis and Person-Centred models to help you work through your issues and concerns. As part of the ongoing development of my practice I have incorporated various different models including Imago Relationship Therapy, some Psychosynthesis and Transpersonal approaches, as well as some solution-focussed tools and techniques.
Qualifications:
- MBACP (Accred)
- Certificate in Imago Relationship Therapy
- Advanced Certificate in Couples Therapy at Inter-Action Training and Consultancy
- Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling at Wealden Psychology Institute
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Level 2 and 3 NCFE Counselling Skills at Brighton City College
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
£65.00 - £130.00
Concessions offered for
Additional information
One to One Counselling (60 mins) - £65
Relationship Counselling - Introductory Session (60 mins) - £85
Relationship Counselling - Ongoing Sessions (90 mins) - £130
Concessions - Dependant on circumstance
When I work
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Further information
Relationship Counselling
Sometimes in our relationships we can lose our way and find it difficult to communicate what is going on for us. This can happen for many different reasons such as a traumatic experience like an an affair or infidelity, or perhaps a significant loss. Depending on our personal histories we might also fall into destructive patterns of aggression or silent treatment. How I can help is by providing a safe space for you and your partner to to share your thoughts and feelings in a structured and meaningful way.
I will teach you a new way to communicate, blame-free, with a focus on positivity. Just simply having the opportunity to be really heard and listened to by your partner can be profoundly positive for both your relationship and you as individuals. You may not always agree, and that's ok because I will help you find great value in your differences. I will help you to identify any barriers that are stopping you from reaching your relationship goals. You may even uncover some long-held beliefs from your past that are affecting your relationship in the present.
Sharing your thoughts and feelings with your partner can allow you both to take accountability for what you are bringing (or not bringing) to your relationship. In your sessions we will calmly explore your current problems in a constructive way and consider how you would like to change your relationship for the better, with a focus on realistic, manageable goals. For those who choose to part ways I can help you both to work on an amicable resolution and satisfactory closure.
One-to-One Counselling
Counselling is an opportunity to express your thoughts and feelings in a safe and confidential environment. Many people choose to have counselling because they are experiencing some kind of difficulty, distress or dissatisfaction in their lives and find it easier to talk to someone who is independent of family and friends. Whatever your background, culture or identity I am willing to hear you and offer therapeutic support.
Counselling can be helpful in many different ways. You may want to change the way you think or behave towards an issue, or you might choose to look more deeply at past experiences, to help make sense of what you are going through. Either online or face to face, I will offer understanding and gentle challenge to help you gain clarity about where you are, where you want to get to and how to move ahead. I see every person as the expert of their own lives with the ability to develop a strong and healthy sense of self-worth. To help us work in the Here-and-Now, whilst respecting any unresolved difficulties from the past, I use a blend of theoretical models to maintain an holistic awareness. Most importantly I offer you a space to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.
