About me
Hi, I'm Laura. I'm a humanistic counsellor and psychotherapist with a Gestalt-informed approach, offering a warm, relational space where you can explore what's happening for you at your own pace.
Perhaps you've spent a long time feeling like you don't quite fit. You might be used to masking, people-pleasing, putting other people's needs before your own, or holding everything together for everyone else. You may look as though you're coping while feeling very different on the inside.
How counselling can help you
Therapy can be a place where you don't have to do that.
I have a particular interest in working with neurodivergent people, and I am neurodivergent myself. I understand how exhausting it can be to feel that you need to adapt, mask or fit yourself into expectations that don't feel like they were made for you.
I don't see therapy as being about fixing something that is wrong with you. Instead, I believe that being met with acceptance, compassion and genuine curiosity can help us understand ourselves differently. Together, we can explore the experiences, relationships and patterns that have shaped how you see yourself and the world around you.
My humanistic approach means that I place the therapeutic relationship at the heart of our work. I want you to feel able to bring your whole self into the room, without needing to perform or have everything worked out beforehand. You don't need to know exactly what's wrong, or even what you want from therapy, before we begin.
My Gestalt-informed approach means that I may invite you to notice what is happening for you in the here and now: your thoughts, feelings, bodily responses and what you notice happening between us. We can become curious about patterns that may be difficult to see on your own and explore what you might need in the present.
Who I work with
I have experience working with people who have experienced trauma, domestic abuse, sexual trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression and bereavement. I am particularly interested in working with neurodivergent people, LGBTQ+ clients and people exploring issues relating to gender, identity and women's experiences, and I aim to offer therapy that is inclusive, accepting and responsive to each person's individual experience.
What to expect in our sessions
Our first few sessions are an opportunity for us to meet and for you to get a sense of what it might be like to work together. You don't need to prepare anything or know exactly what you want to talk about. We can take some time to think about what has brought you to counselling and what you might hope for from therapy, while also seeing how it feels to be together in the space.
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the BACP. I trained at the University of Brighton and am currently studying for a Master's degree in Psychotherapy at the University of Brighton as part of my ongoing professional development.
Before becoming a therapist, I spent 20 years working in the education sector, supporting children, families and staff. This experience has given me a broad understanding of the pressures people can experience in their relationships, families and working lives.
I have also worked therapeutically at Brighton Women's Centre and in private practice.
I have experience working with neurodiversity and am neurodivergent myself.
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
Photos & videos
Fees
£65.00 per session
When I work
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Further information
I offer online and in-person therapy. Sessions are 50 minutes and cost £65.
I currently have some evening, weekend and early morning availability. If you're considering therapy and aren't sure whether I'm the right therapist for you, you're very welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.
I also work alongside my trained therapy dog, Clementine.
Clementine can be present during sessions if you'd find having a dog nearby supportive. Some people find an animal's presence comforting or grounding, while others simply enjoy having a friendly face (and wagging tail) around.
Her presence is always optional. We can work together with or without Clementine, depending on what feels right for you.
