Andy Lawrenson

"I was speaking with my husband a few moments ago and was saying how much the counselling with you changed my life as you were instrumental in helping me learn about myself "

If you have landed here on my profile - I do appreciate the courage it has taken to get here and step into the unknown with a total stranger. I offer a free 15 minute telephone call to check me out and ask any questions you may have before you decide to go with me on your journey. 

What I Can Offer You

A safe and open space for you to say how it is for you, an opportunity to explore your own options to get you moving again.. A chance to put words to your darker feelings and bring them out into the light, so we can look at them. Tools to help  potentially help free you from repetitive, negative thought patterns that we all know do so much damage to our moods and sense of well being. 

If you happen to live in Calderdale, Halifax or the surrounding areas,  we can meet face to face in my counselling rooms in Hebden Bridge town centre. Alternatively I offer walking therapy, where we meet in a suitable place and be in nature whilst walking and talking. I also offer home visits, subject to travel distance, or you can come to my home in the hills above Mytholmroyd. 

My Background

I am often asked how I came to be a counsellor, and the honest answer is that I spent a great deal of time learning to make sense of my world in my own way, counselling training and practice helped in this a great deal! Much of what I have learned in my own journey is common enough to all of us, and I will try to help others if I can . . . 

I completed my qualifications in 2002, the story is too long to go into here, but since 2020, I have worked exclusively as a therapist, video and telephone work started in earnest through the lockdowns. Over this time I have worked with many individuals and couples.  I have listed just some of the issues here:

• Anxiety and Stress
• Depression
• ADHD
• Anger
• Bereavement and Loss
• Relationship Breakdown - individuals, couples and families
• Phobias
• Alcohol and drug dependancy
• Gambling
• Self Esteem and Confidence
• Intimacy problems
• Work issues
• Loneliness
• Illness
• Trauma and PTSD

How I work

I recently listened to a children's story. Within the fabric of the tale was a repeated theme which went as follows:

"We run from things we do not know

And so they seem to grow and grow"

In many ways these simple words sum it up for me - so long as our fears and concerns are living inside us, without shape or definition, we fear them. By naming these fears, we give them a shape, a definition, and we take a great deal of their power away by this simple act.

My core belief is that somewhere, deep down within ourselves, we have the answers to what is going on for us. My role as your therapist will be to help discover what that is, and to help you work towards that.

I also use various tools and techniques borrowed from mindfulness and CBT to help address negative and destructive ways of thinking - and to give you a break from them! 

What to expect in the first session with me

Introductions, background information, any questions you may have, a loose plan based on what you would like to get out of these sessions. We will of course move into the therapeutic work fairly quickly, after all, that is what you are paying me for! But we will go at a pace that you are comfortable with - these are your sessions and they need to feel safe for you. 

How we will meet for your sessions - online or in person?

Mostly I work online - I have a preference for WhatsApp or FaceTime video - it is simple to use. However I am also happy with Microsoft teams or  Zoom. Many people prefer the anonymity of audio only, and this is also fine with me. These are your sessions, you need to feel safe and comfortable, and I will go with your preference. 

If you happen to live in Calderdale, Halifax or the surrounding areas,  we can meet face to face in my counselling rooms in Hebden Bridge town centre. Alternatively I offer walking therapy, where we meet in a suitable place and be in nature whilst walking and talking. I can come to you and we can conduct sessions in your home, or you can travel to my cabin in the hills above Mytholmroyd and I can light the stove and put the kettle on! 

I find face to face sessions are often more powerful than online.  However in this age there is also a  prevalence of online platforms for many talking therapies, Another consideration for the online platforms is that they are cheaper than face to face, but the choice is up to you!

Some details about myself - I am a counsellor, a musician, I have done many different things in my life, now I like to work with my hands and like to build things with old woodworking tools! 

I hope all this helps!

I do not like to see people turned away on cost grounds, If you are in need of counselling, Please get in touch to see if we can arrange an agreeable fee for your sessions

Face to face and Online sessions available