Lisa Cross
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
My 12 years experience as a counsellor has more than confirmed the importance of giving time to those aspects of our lives which are causing us difficulty and blocking our growth. For us all there are likely to be challenges at various points in our lives, whether we are experiencing problems ourselves or within relationships. Allowing time to unpick what is going on and where our behaviours may have started provides valuable insight into helping us choose to change.
As the lead therapist at the City of London Police, I have developed a specialism in trauma focused work. Most if us will have experienced some level of trauma in childhood including bereavements, bullying, divorce of parents etc. It is how we are cared for and taught to respond to these events that can shape how we cope as adults with the stuff that life throws at us.
My aim as a counsellor is to form a warm and empathetic relationship with my clients that reflects the individual nature of their personality and allows them to work at their own pace. Having a regular time and space within which difficulties can be safely and openly explored without fear of judgement, criticism or embarrassment can be the key to enabling change and development.
Counselling is appropriate for anyone who wants to explore their inner thoughts and emotions and better understand the resulting behaviours. Whilst the work can be challenging, for most people counselling is a positive experience which enables them to gain greater self-awareness and encourages them to live a life that is more satisfying.
I have over 12 years' experience in providing counselling services and I cover a range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, stress, anger management and relationship issues. I also specialise in treating trauma and phobias using a range of techniques (including EMDR) that can be successful after just one or two sessions. I work on both a short term and long term basis depending on individual needs.
For the past 6 years I have worked part-time for The City of London Police alongside their Occupational Health team. I work with officers and staff both as a counsellor and a trainer in mental health related areas. This role involves a focus on treating trauma and I use EMDR as one of the techniques to help clients move forward.
I am registered with a number of health insurance companies including BUPA, Aviva, Nuffield Health, Cigna and Vitality.
I offer online sessions via Skype or zoom as well as on a face-to-face basis.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified and accredited integrative counsellor and have a First Class BA Hons Degree in Integrative Counselling. I have been practising for more the 10 years and have a wealth of experience dealing with a range of client issues.
My integrative training means I have the ability to draw upon the different theories of counselling and psychotherapeutic practice including the use of CBT techniques. I am also trained in EMDR and The Rewind Technique, used for treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), other trauma based issues and phobias.
My focus is always on developing a therapeutic relationship that reflects the individual nature of each and every client; I believe it is this that is the key to the 'success' of the counselling work.
My counselling experience includes working across a number of GP surgeries and higher education facilities. I have worked for The City of London Police for more than 6 years and offer CBT therapy and trauma focused tools to their officers and staff. I also provide training around stress, resilience and other mental health initiatives.
I receive ongoing, regular supervision and am committed to my own professional development; attending courses, reading relevant literature and articles and attending other training forums.
I am a registered and accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy); their website can provide some useful reading (www.bacp.co.uk). I also hold full professional insurance.
I have a business research background so have spent much of my life looking at human behaviour and attitudes and how this impacts on the decisions making process.
Member organisations
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
£75.00 per session
Free initial online session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Sessions are charged at:
- £75 per session for individual counselling
Each session lasts 50 minutes.
I am happy to provide an initial 20 minute zoom session free.
When I work
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Further information
My Motpsur Park clinic is close to the mainline station and there is free parking nearby as well as a reliable bus service.
My Teddington clinic is based at The Teddington Wellbeing Centre (a 3-minute walk from the station), and has free parking close by as well as numerous bus services from Teddington, Kingston and Twickenham.