Erika Lawal


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
There's a first time for everything. Most newcomers to counselling & psychotherapy start out feeling a little intimidated by the idea of this rather mysterious process. I aim to demystify what I do - clients often comment on what they describe as a down-to-earth and accessible approach. My aim is ultimately to help you understand yourself and your behaviour. I feel that goal is best achieved by working in a non-threatening, straightforward and inclusive way.
The Practice
Based within easy reach of Ashford, Folkestone, Canterbury & Dover, I have developed a practice which is the product of 25+ years' experience of person-to-person work in statutory, voluntary and commercial organisations as well as in private practice.
My practice, The Therapy Hour offers a range of psychotherapy, counselling, coaching, supervision and consultancy services, from telephone, online and face-to-face individual counselling, to work with couples, groups and organisations.
Derived from an integrative approach to psychotherapy and counselling, my aim is to shape my practice and methodology to the unique needs of each client, rather than attempting to shoehorn people into a pre-determined way of working. The formulation of an individual package based on feedback from the most recent research starts from the very first moment you contact me, when I begin assessing what you might require.
Integral to my work is the need to practise in the context of a real world outside the therapy room. I work with an awareness of the importance of identity and culture in helping to shape a sense of self and therefore welcome the opportunity help clients explore issues relevant to women, Black people, people with disabilities, lesbians, bisexual, gay and transgendered people.
Whether you are interested in working with me as a private individual or as an organisation, your first point of contact will usually be an email. I'll ask you to complete an assessment form with a view to establishing whether I am the right person to work with you. If I am are unable to help, I will do my best to refer you to a practitioner or service that can.
If I think I am able to provide the kind of service you are looking for, I will invite you to an assessment or consultancy session. This is not normally a session for which I charge.
Assessment
I regard your initial assessment session as an opportunity for us both to assess whether counselling or therapy is something from which you would benefit, and if so, in what form.
At the end of the assessment, I will offer some preliminary feedback about what I have observed during the session, and will advise you as to whether or not I believe therapy would be beneficial. Many clients who are deemed suitable wish to make an appointment to begin work there and then, while others prefer to go away and think about it. I'm more than happy that you should do this - in fact I encourage you to visit more than one potential therapist before making a firm commitment, since your relationship with your therapist will be the most important element in the potential success or failure of the work you undertake.
Working Together
I would normally expect you to commit to an initial 6 sessions of work, usually (although not always) occurring once weekly. I find this often proves sufficient for those bringing relatively simple issues. For others, the six sessions offers a time-limited introduction to counselling and therapy, during which period I am able to assess needs and preferred style of working in more detail. For such clients, the review which takes place at the end of the initial period allows them to examine what they have achieved thus far and to consider what remains to be worked on. If we decide to continue, we will formulate a plan for continued work, usually in an open-ended contract
Supervision
As a UKCP-accredited supervisor, I offer both clinical and non-clinical supervision to individual practitioners, groups and teams. I have extensive experience of working with counsellors and therapists in training, as well as those of are fully qualified. My supervision style one in which I will take on various roles: consultant, counsellor or teacher as required, providing a framework in which reflective practice is paramount, all with an overview which takes account of the complex, diverse world in which we live.
Training, qualifications & experience
B.A (Hons.) Sociology & Social Policy
Post-Graduate Diploma Integrative Psychotherapy
UKCP-accredited Psychotherapist (Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy College)
UKCP-accredited Clinical Supervisor (Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy College)
Certificate of Working With Perpetrators of Domestic Violence
Full EMDR training
Full Individual Schema Therapy training
Full Group Schema Therapy training
Introduction to CBT
ReWInd for PSTD
Working with Menopause in Therapy
Yoga For Anxiety
Trauma Release Exercise (TRE)
Ofqual qualified tutor & assessor in Vocational Achievement (L3)
Member organisations
school 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.

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

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
£80.00 - £160.00
Free initial in-person or online session
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Private Individuals & Couples - £80.00 - 50 minutes (Some reduced-cost spaces when available). EMDR therapy is £160 for a double (100-minute) session.
Individual Supervision - £80.00 - 60 minutes, £120 for 90 minutes. Reduced costs for trainees on request.
Organisational Supervision - £80.00 - 60 minutes
Organisational Consultancy and Training - Prices on request
When I work
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Therapy appointments are available 8am - 4pm, Monday - Thursday
Supervision appointment are available 8am - 4pm, Fridays