Laura Joanknecht
Verified Professional
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verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
BSc (Hons) Psych, MBACP Acc, EMDR Practitioner
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
About me
I am an integrative relational counsellor, supervisor and trainer. I believe counselling is about empowering you to make choices and enabling you to make sense of some of the many confusing emotions that you may be feeling which sometimes can seem overwhelming.
In my opinion the best form of counselling is one where you can feel supported and heard in a confidential space. Where you can feel the warmth and regard of another human being and can begin to learn to listen to your own needs and find ways of meeting these.
This means that the process of counselling is internalised and gives the client tools to take with them when they no longer need the counselling space. My passion is enabling people to develop a stronger sense of themselves.
My practice is in Ballymoney and is set up to be a welcoming space. It is important to me that the environment helps you to begin to relax and to feel more at ease to reflect on some of your more difficult thoughts and feelings.
I came into counselling after a really difficult time in my life, and found that the support of a therapist really helped me make sense of my experiences and some of the contributory factors to my life as it was then. I hope that I can offer you a similar service.
Let me know if you would like to book a socially distanced walking and talking session. I have my own land that we can walk through which is entirely private and confidential.
Training, qualifications & experience
BACP Accredited/NCS Accredited
Diploma in Person Centred Counselling
BSc (Hons) Psych
PG Certificate in Supervision
PG Certificate in Education
Certificate in Management
EMDR Practitioner
Diploma in Sex Addiction
Psychosexual Training
Diploma in Couples and Family Therapy
I have been practicing as a counsellor since 1996 and as a trainer since 1998, supervisor since 2001. As well as working as a counsellor of individuals and couples in private practice, I have also gained experience working in schools, in youth agencies, for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society and I was Clinical Lead in a rape and sexual abuse support centre for 12 years. I have become very interested in working with how the body holds trauma and so I have developed an integrative style which considers all the ways in which a person can be more in touch with their real self enabling them to make more informed choices.
Much of my work with individuals and couples is around psychosexual issues. This can feel like a really delicate area of your life to work on. I am aware of the importance of aiming to put you at ease as we look at some of your concerns and anxieties around this sensitive subject.
Member organisations
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.
National Counselling Society (NCS)
The National Counselling Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
COSRT is the UK’s leading membership organisation for therapists specialising in sexual and relationship issues.
All members must abide by their Code of Ethics and the performance of accredited members is regularly monitored.
Accredited register membership
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.
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Psychosexual Issues
LGBT
Baby bereavement
Young people
Relationship issues
Leaving Cults
Therapies offered
Fees
From £65.00 to £110.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Therapy is an investment in yourself and living your life in a way which feels fulfilling.
Fees range from £65 to £110.
Groups can be negotiated at time of booking
I have gained a lot of experience during my years as a therapist and so I set my fees to reflect this. However, I believe therapy should be accessible for everyone, so if you feel drawn to my profile but feel that you are genuinely unable to afford sessions, please email me for a discussion about a reduced fee.
When I work
Flexible.
Further information
Parking available
Ballymoney Train station is the nearest one to my house.
Fully insured
Accredited with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Accredited with The National Counselling Society
Member of ATSAC
REGISTERED Member of COSRT
BUPA Registered Practitioner https://finder.bupa.co.uk/go/ms_laura_joanknecht
EMDR Practitioner
Aviva Registered Practitioner
STOPSo Approved Therapist
