Lauren McWhirter

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BSc, Adv Dip Couns, MBACP (Accred), UKRCP-Individual Therapy
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Belfast BT4 & Newtownards BT23
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Experienced, accredited specialising in anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self worth, anger, stress, childhood issues, abuse - including sexual abuse. Understanding how difficult it is to make that first step I offer safe, caring, confidential and professional support.

I am an Accredited member of BACP, the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and also am listed on the UK Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists, UKRCP.

I have experience in working in the voluntary and statutory sectors. I still volunteer as a clinical supervisor within the voluntary sector.

I can offer longer open ended therapy or short term, solution focused therapy.

People come to counselling for different reasons but the common thread is that they don't feel that they are functioning to their full potential.

By taking a huge and brave step you can start to make changes. Counselling can help - talking and sharing your feelings with someone professionally trained can make an enormous difference and give a huge sense of relief. Taking that step to email or phone can be difficult so I try to make you feel as comfortable as possible and do appreciate that it does require an element of bravery to make that first contact.

My approach is integrative within a person centred framework, building a therapeutic relationship based on the core conditions - empathy, being non-judgemental, open and honest. My practice is client led, giving the client a place to explore problems and anxieties. By exploring the feelings and fears the client can reframe the problems and recognise their own resources to become empowered.

I integrate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic work and Solution Focused Therapy as appropriate.

I am a trained and practicing Clinical Supervisor, supervising other counsellors.

I offer private supervision for practicing counsellors using an integrative approach.

Training, qualifications & experience

Bsc(Econ), Queens University Belfast
Cert. in Counselling Skills
Cert. in Counselling Studies
Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Professional Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Certificate in Sexual Abuse and Dysfunction
Accredited Cruse Bereavement Supporter
Cruse Bereavement Supervisor
Accredited BACP and UKRCP

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

£45.00 per session

Health Insurance/EAP

  • BUPA

Additional information

The fee for a fifty minute counselling session is £45.

Please ring me on 07729830351 / 90705290 or e-mail lauren.counselling@live.co.uk for further information or to discuss any queries regarding the service or to make an appointment.

Reduced rates for counselling students requiring personal therapy or supervision.

When I work

Monday - Thursday daytime and evening appointments available

Further information

I am BUPA approved.

I am Benenden approved.

I am an affiliate counsellor for an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) UK based provider.
I am a past affiliate counsellor with the Queens University Belfast Student Counselling Service
I have my own private practice
I have my own professional indemnity insurance
I abide by the Data Protection Act 1998
I abide by the BACP ethical framework
I have my own private supervision to ensure my best practice.

I have an up to date AccessNI police check

Belfast, Antrim, BT4

Newtownards, Co. Down, BT23

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone

Types of client

Adults
Older adults
Employee Assistance Programme

Supervision

In person

Approved Supervisor with the University of Ulster.

View supervision profile