Terence Lawton

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BA, MA, UKCP, MUPCA (accred)
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

If you're thinking seriously about working out some of your difficulties or problems with the help and support of a professional psychotherapist then you've already made a very important choice.

Deciding which kind of therapy is best for you and which therapist to work with, however, can be complex and confusing. That's why I offer an initial introductory consultation completely free of charge or obligation.

I work, broadly, working within the existential/phenomenological model. (sounds like a bit of a mouthful I know) but I resist rigid labels and consider myself as a philosophically oriented therapist in the broadest sense. This doesn't mean that you need to have an understanding of philosophy to work with me. Philosophically-oriented therapy is about helping people to see and to take responsibility for freedom of choice in shaping their lives. Instead of concentrating on the unchangeable past, my work is more strongly focused on the present. That's the point to which our personal history has brought us and the only place where we are able to make ithe choices which will create a better, more rewarding and happier future.

WHO AM I?

I became a psychotherapist for several reasons. First my three decades of experience working within the fields of marketing communications, change management, coaching and creative direction and consultancy led me to see very clearly that without a commitment to individual change and personal growth there can be no lasting systemic change. Second, as a writer and communications strategist I became increasingly convinced that most of the key issues which create suffering in life - anxiety, depression, worry, loss, guilt, over-attachment and compulsion - can be viewed as basic aspects of human existence rather than pathological symptoms of sickness or "wrongness". Many of the people with whom I work find that discovering the courage and determination to explore, own and make sense of problems rather than simply attempting to get rid of them without fully understanding their meaning, allows them to experience a sense of power and authority over their lives which may have eluded them since childhood.

WHERE DO I WORK?

After 35 years of living and working in central London I moved myself and my practice to West Yorkshire in the Spring of 2016.

I now practise from my home in a quiet and secluded corner of High Utley - a peaceful and leafy village just a short drive (or a brisk walk!) from the town of Keighley. Ample, private parking is available and my consulting suite has its own entrance so confidentiality is preserved at all times..

My dedicated consulting room is light, quiet, relaxed, confidential and welcoming. There are good road links nearby which provide access to North and West Yorkshire as well as railway stations at Keighley and nearby Steeton with frequent daily services to Leeds, Bradford, Skipton, Shipley and Saltaire.

HOW DO I WORK?

First of all I view the encounter between "therapist" and "client" as a relationship of complete equality. The work is non-diagnositic ( I won't try to tell you what is "wrong" with you or even assume that there is anything "wrong" with you to begin with), non-prescriptive (I won't try and offer you off-the-shelf, text-book "solutions") and non-directive (I won't try to tell you what you "should" or "shouldn't" be doing). Broadly I see my role as working with you to find ways of discovering freedom and choice in places where you may never have thought they existed. For your part that requires a similarly powerful commitment to being open, honest, curious and above all, willing to enter a space which, paradoxically, is safe enough for you allow yourself to take risks and explore the boundaries of your comfort zone. In addition to the classic model of "talking therapy", I also, where appropriate, offer some clients the choice of working more experientially using art materials, journalling, visualisation or other techniques drawn from therapeutic models as varied as Jungian psychology, Buddhist and Taoist psychology, Focusing, Mindfulness and Gestalt.

I am also experienced in working online via secure webcam services such as Skype, MSN or Yahoo or by telephone as circumstances might dictate.

I work with individuals and couples both for fixed-period and longer term or open-ended contracts. Copies of my standard terms can be emailed on request.


WHEN DO I WORK?

I work daytimes and evenings and also have some weekend sessions available. I also work online via Skype or FaceTime.

Training, qualifications & experience

MA in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy. UKCP registered and accredited. I am also a certified Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and an accredited clinical member of the Universities Psychotherapy and Counselling Association (MUPCA). I have substantial experience and certification in mindfulness, Gendlian focussing and meditation.  

Member organisations

school 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.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for 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.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I also teach a variety of meditation and mindfulness techniques and am an experienced creative coach working with artists, writers, actors and musicians. 

Therapies offered

Fees

Free initial in-person or online session

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle OAPs
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Additional information

My standard fee for individual work is £50 per 50 minute session. When working with couples I extend the sessions to an hour and charge £50 but, taking into account the complexities of couple work,  I also offer the option of a one and a half hour session at £70. Sliding scale reductions and low cost options are possible for students, unwaged or individuals/couples experiencing financial difficulty or restricted budgets. Discounts may be negotiated for people who prefer to work more intensively with two or more sessions weekly. My fee for secure online work via webcam is £50per session.

I am aware of how tough these times are for a lot of people and am committed to doing my very best to make my work as affordable as possible. If you feel you might be interested in working with me but are genuinely anxious about costs then please don't let that stand in the way of your contacting me.


Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Supervision

In person

I offer supervision for individuals or groups working broadly within the existential/phenomenological model or those with an interest in this approach who might be seeking to integrate aspects of it in their own practices or work.

View supervision profile