Lester Chern

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MBACP Accred
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

I have worked for over 20 years with individuals and couples. My core training is the Person Centred Approach but I will work with you, using the full breath of my extensive knowledge and experience.  I find that working in an imaginative and creative way can enable you to gain greater insights into yourself.

I offer a warm and calm atmosphere and work with you, as we look at the issues that have brought you to counselling. I work according to your pace and your needs and my hope is to enable you to give voice to your pain and distress. I believe that every human being is unique; "One size does not fit all!"  We will work together on whatever is troubling you.  I do not offer a diagnosis or a label. I listen carefully and will reflect back sometimes using metaphors or other visual imagery.

There may be times when there are no words to describe your pain and hurt. Mere words alone cannot fully describe what you are going through? Sometimes we can work with pebbles and other objects that may be a more accurate representation of exactly how you are feeling. 

I work with both differently gendered and same sex couples. Together, we can work to improve your understanding of one another and clarify those miscommunications that can lead to conflict. Couples therapy can be helpful for you to grow together and iron out misunderstandings. 

You may want to continue and improve your relationship or you may wish to attend so that you can end in a mutually satisfactory way.

Couples counselling can achieve all these objectives if there is mutual desire for change.

I understand that it can take a great deal of courage to make that first call.

I have long experience of counselling clients on a range of issues including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, family issues, bereavement and loss, unemployment, separation and divorce, affairs and betrayals, low self esteem, bullying both at home or in the workplace.
Both in my counselling and supervision work, I work using my extensive experience and knowledge with whatever is helpful to you.
I have long experience of working with people of all ages, creeds, nationalities and sexual preferences.
Counselling can be short (6-12 sessions) or longer term according to your needs or preferences.

 I work face to face or  online using Zoom or WhatsApp  as well as offering telephone counselling too.

I am both BACP Accredited and Registered and I have professional insurance.

Testimonials

"Lester was absolutely incredible.  He was so intuitive and drew such accurate conclusions about us, both individually and as a couple.  It stunned me."

Couple (mid thirties)

"Lester has made a profound difference to our lives.  He has helped us put our family back together and to be happier and more harmonious."

Couple (late thirties)

"Lester is a fantastic counsellor and an amazing person. He has always been non-judgemental and offered helpful observations. I could not have resolved my issues without Lester's help and support".

Male (early forties)

"I am very grateful for the support, understanding and techniques shown to me by Lester, to help me rebuild my confidence and give me the tools to deal with my problems in the future.  I am extremely grateful for his invaluable help and kindness."

Female (mid thirties)

Training, qualifications & experience

Diploma in Person Centred Counselling 2003
Diploma in Integrative Supervision 2010                                                              Certificate in Integrative Couples Counselling 2017
Certificate in Play Therapy Skills 2009
Primary Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 2009
Certificate in Introduction to Transactional Analysis 2016
MBACP (Accred) (Accredited Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
BACP Registered

In addition to my private practice, I am employed as part of a small team of Staff Counsellors at the London Fire Brigade, working with individuals and couples.
I work with all types of issues including relationships, depression, anxiety, grief including sudden and unexpected death, separation, divorce, family issues, trauma, employment issues and bullying.


Previous experience:

As part of a specialist team working holistically with clients affected by issues such as childhood trauma and addictions.

As a counsellor for Hampstead Counselling Service, a  charity providing counselling on many life issues to adults living in the London Borough of Camden. 
At an NHS sponsored IAPT "Complex Grief" counselling service providing counselling to people affected by suicide or other forms of sudden death.
At Signpost Counselling Agency for 10 years as a young person's counsellor and at an inner city Academy as a school counsellor.

I am a qualified counselling supervisor. I currently clinically supervise the work of individual counsellors at differing levels of training and experience.

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

Fees

£60.00 - £65.00
Free initial telephone session

Concessions offered for

  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information


£60per full hour for Individual Counselling

£65 per full hour for Couples Therapy

Payable by Cash,  or Bank Transfer


When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night

I can offer sessions on Monday at 8pm ONLY.

Tuesdays from 9.30am to 8pm

Weds and Thursdays between 6pm to a final appointment time of 8pm

Fridays from 2pm to a final appointment time of 6pm

Further information

If further information is required please contact me via email or phone. All in strictest confidence.  

Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9

Type of session

Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults
Older Adults
Couples
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

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

Online platforms

Whatsapp
Zoom

Supervision

In person
Online

I have a Diploma in Integrative Supervision from CPPD and I have worked as a supervisor with both individuals and groups since 2010.

View supervision profile