Lara Cresswell
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a BACP-registered, Person-Centred Counsellor with 30 years’ combined experience as a counsellor and former social worker. I provide online and face-to-face counselling to adults and young people (13+) from a private, dedicated therapy room in Warrington, Cheshire.
I am compassionate and caring with a down-to-earth attitude and ethical approach. I offer a safe and confidential space for you to discuss whatever you wish without pressure. No judgements, hurrying you or asking probing questions. Though I gently challenge self-limiting thoughts and behaviour, we work at your pace, towards the acceptance or changes you are looking for.
My career has specialised in helping with early adversity and trauma but I am experienced in addressing a variety of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, bereavement, low self-esteem and family relationships. Experience has taught me that with support, people can overcome the most difficult of pasts and circumstances.
In addition to counselling, I am a Clinical Supervisor, overseeing the practice of other therapists. I am currently training as an ADHD Practitioner, to enrich my experience in working with neuro-diversity.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications. I have attended numerous short courses covering a broad range of topics: sexual abuse/exploitation; domestic violence; PTSD; hypno-psychotherapy; CBT; counselling suicidal clients and mentoring overseas’ students. My main qualifications are:
- BA Hons Community Studies (Social Sciences)
- Post-graduate Diploma in Social Work
- Certificate in Counselling
- Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling
- Certificate in Online & Telephone Counselling
- Advanced Certificate in Clinical Supervision
Experience. I have been fortunate to work with people of diverse cultures, identities and backgrounds. I now work exclusively in Private Practice, providing counselling to adults and young people as well as supervision and counselling to other therapists. My prior experience:
- Counselling in a male prison
- Sexual abuse and domestic violence recovery services
- Therapy in specialist (SEMH) secondary education
- Online mental health support
- Bereavement co-ordinator role
- Adult helpline services
- Child protection social work
- Residential social work with young adults
Member organisations
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
As long as you can be in a quiet and private space, sessions are also available by Telephone and Zoom.
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial in-person, telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer a free 30-minute introductory session, in-person, online (Zoom) or by phone, with no obligation.
My Fees
1 hour Counselling Session: £50.00 (£40.00 for trainee counsellors and students 18+ in Full-time Higher Education)
1.5 hour Supervision Session: £60.00 (£50.00 for trainee counsellors)
Fees are payable in cash or by card-reader. Payment for online sessions and young people’s counselling is made in advance via payment-link.
When I work
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I offer one Saturday per month for Supervisees.
Further information
If you are interested in exploring counselling for yourself or a loved one, please reach out using the contact details above. Note that I won't return a missed call unless you have left a message requesting contact.
I look forward to hearing from you. Lara