Lara Welby
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, I’m Lara,
I am an integrative counsellor based in Cheltenham, offering both face-to-face and online sessions. Taking the first step toward counselling can feel daunting, but I’m here to provide a compassionate, safe space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Together, we’ll work through challenges to uncover root causes, develop effective strategies, and help you achieve a greater sense of well-being.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe each person’s journey is unique and deserving of respect. My integrative approach draws on techniques from various counselling models, tailored to suit your personal experiences, needs, and goals. Whether you are facing depression, anxiety, addiction, or relationship difficulties, I will support you in navigating these challenges in a non-judgemental, empathetic environment.
I incorporate both person-centred and psychodynamic techniques. The person-centred approach creates a nurturing environment for personal growth, much like providing a plant with the right conditions—soil, water, light, and nutrients—so it can thrive. Similarly, in therapy, we create a supportive space that allows you to grow and flourish.
The psychodynamic approach focuses on how unconscious thoughts and past experiences shape current feelings and behaviours. By understanding these influences, you can gain clarity, self-awareness, and a sense of control over your life.
Therapy is not just about addressing challenges but also about reconnecting with yourself, finding purpose, and building resilience. My goal is to empower you with tools and strategies you can carry forward long after our sessions end.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and I adhere to their Ethical Framework to ensure your safety and well-being remain central to my work. My qualifications and training include:
- CPCAB Level 2 and Level 3 in Counselling Studies (Listening Post, Gloucester)
- CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling (Gloucestershire College)
- Volunteer Counsellor at Listening Post, Cheltenham
- Suicide Awareness/Prevention Training (Harmless Charity)
- Trauma Therapy Training (led by Margaret Langdale)
- Art Psychotherapy
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
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 per session
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are 50 minutes with a free 30 minute introductory call.
When I work
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Further information
I offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to discuss what has brought you to counselling, explore your goals, and determine if we are the right fit to work together.
To book a consultation or ask any questions, feel free to reach out:
Take the first step today. I’d be honoured to support you on your journey toward growth, self-awareness, and meaningful change.
