Debra Lui
Every professional displayed on Counselling Directory has been independently verified by our team to ensure they have suitable credentials to practise.
This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Are you having issues with food or worried about your eating habits? Are thoughts about food taking over your life and you feel every day is a constant struggle? Whether you are experiencing binge-eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy is here to support and help you work through the everyday challenges you face with food.
Whether you have struggled for years or a few weeks, Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy can help you improve your relationship with food and enable you to start living the life you hope for. Having an eating issue can feel like every day is a constant struggle. By attending counselling or psychotherapy sessions, there is someone you can turn to, someone who cares and understands your difficulties.
Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy specialises in eating disorders and body image. Counselling sessions are offered as either a guidance for adopting a healthy food relationship or to gain a clearer understanding of your eating norms. Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) may be more suitable for persons presenting symptoms or diagnosis of binge-eating disorder (BED), bulimia or anorexia. At Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy, help is available and the path to recovery is possible and achievable.
Training, qualifications & experience
When it comes to your emotional health and overall psychological well-being, it’s important to have a fully insured and knowledgeable professional you can turn to. Over the years, I’ve provided counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy to clients throughout Greater Manchester and North Wales. My expertise covers a broad spectrum of mental health services, and I’m happy to share my experience and qualifications.
I have had an enhanced check and assessment by the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) as being suitable to work with vulnerable adults. I am an accredited member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) and BABCP (British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies) and attend monthly supervision to ensure I not only carry out my work ethically but provide a service that is in the best interest for clients. As an accredited member of the BACP and BABCP I attend Continued Professional Development (CPD) to ensure that I am up to date with current research and am fully informed, to ensure that my clients gain full benefit from my support.
I hold an MSc in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (University of Salford) and an Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (The Manchester College). Below describes all my specialised areas and examples of work:
Psychotherapist
I am currently working in the NHS in the Midlands as a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist delivering solution focused, evidence based therapy for anxiety and depression disorders. I previously worked with clients referred from NHS Wales Betsi Cadwaldr University Health Board. I listen to your problems and may suggest strategies for resolving your issues. This may include assisting clients in altering their attitudes and behaviour. Sessions look at how unhealthy behaviours can contribute to problematic experiences, therefore, clients may be required to actively take part in altering unhelpful thoughts or behaviours to aid recovery.
Cognitive behavioural therapist
Clients were referred from NHS North West Eating Disorders Service. I applied Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - Enhanced (CBT-E) to aid recovery for clients with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. Each week, the aim was for clients to move closer towards their recovery. Depending on the presenting issue, an individual treatment plan is created to help shift the client towards change. Therapy may involve maintaining a food intake diary, identifying problems areas and applying strategies to alter food habits.
Substance misuse counsellor
Clients were referred via self-referral, general practitioners or other related services. I applied the person-centred approach to clients who have experienced past or current difficulties with drug and/or alcohol abuse. Therapy was also provided for friends and family members. Sessions involved understanding how drugs or alcohol play a part in your past or current issues and how you can manage this in order to work towards the life you hope for.
Rape and sexual abuse counsellor
I provided victim support and carried out counselling in an extremely sensitive manner. Allowing clients to feel comfortable and safe was paramount. Like all therapy I provide, it is done so without judgements and in strict confidence. Sessions are carried out gently, at a client's own pace in order to feel fully supported and cared for throughout the process. Work looks at helping clients accepting the painful past and learning how to move forward in life.
Member organisations
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 BABCP is the lead organisation for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in the UK. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the practice, theory or development of CBT. BABCP also provides accreditation for CBT therapists. BABCP accredited members adhere to the Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics in the Practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, and are willing to be scrutinised in this adherence as required.
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.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Person-centred counselling - £45 for 50 minutes.
Person-centred counselling involves using the session to express anything of concern to you. As the client, you are the expert in your own life and the counsellor's skills will enable you to find your own answers. The environment provided is respectful, honest and empathic. One where you can feel confident and hopeful for change.
Person-centred therapy is modelled upon the three core conditions below:
- Congruence: being honest with the self and the client
- Empathy: the ability to enters into the client's world and understand their individual experience
- Unconditional positive regard: showing respect for the client and accepting them as who they truly are.
If this therapy sounds like something suitable for you. Contact us to book a FREE initial 15 minute consultation.
Cognition-behavioural psychotherapy - £45 for 50 minutes.
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E) is specifically created for the treatment of eating disorders. This treatment targets the underlying psychopathology of the eating issue. It is a transdiagnostic treatment which means that this treatment works across a spectrum of eating disorders. Sessions involve exploring how thoughts and beliefs surrounding food are problematic. Such as mood intolerance, extreme perfectionism, core low self-esteem and major relationship problems.
Therapy takes place in the structure of four stages. We will look at the factors that contribute to the issue and work through them to achieve recovery, this includes problem-solving and understanding self-awareness.
If this therapy sounds like it is suitable for you. Contact us to book a FREE initial 15 minute consultation.
When I work
Daytime/evening hours
Further information
As human beings, we constantly face life challenges that steer us away from our comfort zone. Habitat Counselling and Psychotherapy not only provides you with a confidential therapeutic service, but also a kind and caring connection with a professional that understands.
This is an outpatient support service, therefore, only clients who are clinically and psychiatrically stable are suitable for this service. Due to the limits of this service, currently we are unable to offer an assisted eating programme. We are also unable to provide medical care for clients presenting with psychiatric or medical risks. Medically and psychiatrically unstable clients should receive relevant medical treatment as advised by your GP before receiving further treatment and support at Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Clients with a BMI of 16.50 or under should receive treatment as referred and advised by your GP. This may be inpatient treatment. An assessment is to be carried out by your GP, and an appropriate referral should be made according to your weight and psychological state.
After a consultation and assessment with us, if you are of a BMI 16.50 and above, and are medically stable. Treatment at Habitat Counselling & Psychotherapy is suitable for you.
