Lara Leaver

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BSc(hons), MBACP(reg) Counsellor and Supervisor
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Brentwood, Essex, CM14
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Listening without prejudice. With over 23 years of counselling experience, I can offer a safe, confidential space in which to explore your thoughts and feelings and deal with issues. We can work at your pace to find a way through difficulties you may be experiencing.

I provide a therapeutic space where you can feel comfortable and free to explore issues you want to share, without feeling judged. Working together, we can unlock your potential for a more fulfilling future. I am a qualified and registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, adhering to their code of ethical practice. I work with adults and young people.

How I can help you?

By helping you explore difficulties you are experiencing and look at past and present issues you will gain a greater understanding of your self. I will help you find answers, and assist you to develop and obtain self awareness and self acceptance. I can also work with you in finding strategies that will help you cope  with seemingly unmanageable emotions and situations that you may be experiencing.

With a person-centred approach, you are leading the way, talking about thoughts and feelings that you want to deal with at your own rate. I will not be telling you what to do or think but rather helping you to find your own solutions and gain more insight into your situation.  Using aspects of cognitive behavioural therapy, we can work at challenging any negative thoughts you may have and look at how these can affect your feelings and behaviour. We can also work out how certain beliefs you may hold can influence your thinking and perspective on things and where these beliefs might come from.

If this sounds like it might be what you're looking for, please contact me to arrange an initial consultation. You've got nothing to lose!

I have worked successfully with a diverse range of clients with a wide variety of issues such as;

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Relationship Issues
  • Self esteem
  • Anger
  • Bullying
  • Self harm and many others.

Testimonials

Clients' experiences of counselling

"When I first started counselling I was a complete mess. At the time, I felt like I was at the bottom of a very deep, dark hole. I was depressed, anxious, I wasn't sleeping and my close friends and family were extremely concerned about my well-being. I had very low self-esteem and self-confidence. I felt scared because I could not control my feelings. I was suffering from panic attacks, anxiety and could not see a way forward.

When I met my counsellor, Lara, I wasn't sure if counselling could help me but I had recognised that I needed help and had to listen to people around me and 'go with the flow' so to speak. The first few sessions were the hardest; I think i spent most of that time crying. But as each session passed, Lara helped me to begin to understand why I was feeling the way I was. Together we found solutions to why I felt the way I did. Sometimes I would bring up issues that I thought were insignificant but it turned out to be a big part of the puzzle as they were gradually chipping away at my self-worth and confidence.

After 3 months, I'm ready to stop counselling. I know I can go back if I feel I need to. I feel so much better. I feel positive, my self-esteem and confidence are much improved. I am so proud of what has been achieved.

Lara has never judged me or made me feel uncomfortable. Throughout my counselling, I have had little blips and felt scared of going backwards, but Lara taught me how to manage my feelings and not ignore them. I now have the tools and confidence to move forwards."- Male, age 50. Reproduced with the client's permission.

"I found Lara to be an excellent counsellor and found it more relevant and useful than I'd previously imagined. Lara was non-judgemental but also thorough and unflinching in helping me explore difficult issues. The mere process of speaking about my life for an hour a week helped me to evaluate aspects of life and this has made me feel calmer and happier and more optimistic for the future.

I would not hesitate to return to counselling with Lara if needed and would not hesitate to recommend her services to others." - Male, aged 46 (reproduced with the client's permission.)

Here is some feedback from other past clients:

"Counselling  has helped me because I can talk to someone who understands what I'm trying to say." - Male, age 20

"No more panic attacks, more self confidence. I value myself more" - Male, age 21

"I have become aware of myself and that it is okay to be me in respect of how I dress and who I am. Thank you to Lara for all her kind words and help throughout my counselling." - Female, age 18.

"Learnt to accept and move on from issues I was struggling with and become more confident and positive. Best thing I ever did!" - Female, age 38

"A big thank you to Lara who helped me through my problems and kept picking me up when I felt down. I believe my life has changed for the better because of Lara!" - Male, age 26

My main model is person-centred, though I also integrate other approaches into my work.

Please phone, text or e-mail for more information.

Training, qualifications & experience

  • BSc (Hons) Psychology (1991)
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills (1998)
  • Advanced Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling (2000)
  • Diploma in Casework Supervision (2003)
  • Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (2008)
  • Day Courses in the following: Mindfulness, bullying, self harm, anger therapy, eating disorders, suicide and young people, drug and alcohol awareness, bereavement and others.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Photos & videos

Fees

£60.00 per session

Concessions offered for

  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

Initial consultation is £60 and may run over the hour for no extra charge.

Sessions are £60 for 1 hour. A limited number of weekend and evening sessions available at £65

Reduced rates can be negotiated for students, unwaged and under 18's.

When I work

I can offer appointments on most weekdays during the day, Saturdays and some evenings. Home visits possible under certain circumstances.

Further information

For 13 years, I co-ordinated and was the clinical lead for a counselling service which I set up for the Havering Youth Service.

Ground floor counselling room but 3 steps up to front door.

You can park outside my drive or if coming by train, it is a 10 minute walk from Brentwood Station.

Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM14

Type of session

In person

Types of client

Children
Young people
Adults
Older Adults
Employee Assistance Programme

Supervision

In person

I am a qualified Person-centred supervisor (diploma in casework supervision) and am open to and work with supervisees using other approaches.

View supervision profile

Lara Leaver
Lara Leaver