Jan Laws

Welcome. If you are reading this you have taken the first step to seeking change. Deciding to come for counselling can be a daunting step, but it's important to remember that sometimes we just want to be heard and know that someone cares. I have experienced counselling myself and am aware of the many benefits of counselling and how it can enable us to bring about change for ourselves. It may seem like no one can else can understand the way you feel or that you may be judged if you talk about what concerns you. It may feel as though you are all alone with your anxiety or worries. You're not alone. 

How counselling can help:

Having a trained, empathic counsellor to talk to can help you to feel less overwhelmed and isolated. Counselling provides you with a safe space, which is just yours, with someone whose focus is solely on you. Counselling also gives you a time and space, where you can explore the things which concern you in a supported environment. Hearing yourself talk about things out loud, maybe for the very first time, can be the first step towards positive and meaningful change.

I am a Person Centred Counsellor. I offer a non-judgemental, confidential space to talk about any painful, confusing, or uncomfortable issues that you may have. As a Person Centred Counsellor I believe that everyone has the ability to find answers within, to understand themselves and their needs more deeply. I will be along side you in this process helping you to explore and find meaning.

I have previously worked with adults who have experienced: Domestic abuse, sexual/emotional/physical abuse, familial alcohol/substance use, family conflict, parenting issues, attachment and abandonment issues, separating parents, child contact issues between parents, living with a Narcissistic relative, low self esteem, loss. 

Due to past work/training/experience:

I have experience of working with foster carers, Social Workers (e.g. burnout, working with large and unrealistic caseloads), families with children in the care system, separating parents (and the impact on the family around this e.g. child custody). 

I have personal experience of living within a military background, as a military dependent. I understand the impact of constant relocation, upheaval, separation and isolation as well as living within this unique and insular environment.

I have personal experience of living with the affects of Menopause - feeling invisible, changes to the skin and body, brain fog and forgetfulness, anxiety and change in confidence, end of child bearing. 

I offer a free 15-20 minute phone call (about your needs and if we feel that we can work together).

My rates are for individual adults aged 18+ on a 1-1 basis. Please note. I am not offering couples counselling.

£50.00 for  50 minutes online (Zoom) or telephone session.

£50.00 for a 50 minute face to face session at my counselling room at the Regency Practice, central Cheltenham on Wednesdays afternoon/evening.

£50.00 for a 50 minute face to face session at my counselling room in Prestbury, Cheltenham on Tuesdays morning/afternoon/evening and on Thursday afternoon/evenings.

Please see the link to my website above. 

I offer short and long-term therapy, depending on what you feel you would like. 

I offer a free 15-20 minute phone call to have an informal chat to give you space, without any obligation, to see if you feel that I am the counsellor for you and if we feel that we can work together. 

If you feel that I am the counsellor for you and we both feel that we can work together, in our initial session we will get to know each other a little more and at your pace. We will look in more depth at what has brought you to counselling, what you are hoping to achieve from counselling, and any goals you may have for yourself.