About me
Hello and welcome. I am Laura, an experienced and BACP Registered Integrative Counsellor.
Everyone can benefit from therapy; you don’t need to have a diagnosable condition or even be outwardly struggling to make it through the day to feel the benefits of talking therapy.
I am a client-led counsellor; this means that I will ask you what you want to work on. Some of my clients arrive with a specific goal in mind, whereas others come to therapy with no clear or fixed outcome; Either is a great start!
We might have general discussions about how you're feeling. We might also talk about things like current and past relationships, your childhood & situations or events that you find challenging.
What’s the first session like?
In the first session, my main focus is to get to know you and to gain a clear understanding of why you are seeking therapy. The first session also gives you the chance to meet me and to decide if I am the right therapist for you. I will guide you through the expectations of therapy, whilst also explaining the important bits, like confidentiality.
This is also an opportunity for you to ask me any questions and decide whether I am the right person for you. There is no obligation to continue therapy; I do not believe in keeping people in therapy any longer than they need, whilst balancing this with helping them leave therapy when they feel confident in doing so.
What will we work on?
Some clients come to therapy with something specific they want to work on; this might be a specific situation they feel 'stuck' on, a phobia, or finding ways to improve their low mood.
Some clients don't want to 'work on' anything. If you are seeking a safe place to explore your thoughts and feelings, free from judgement, I offer this too.
Will I just talk about my problems, or will I learn skills & tools?
It's important not to underestimate the power of expressing oneself and talking through events and concerns that you may not have verbally processed before. Sometimes clients develop a deeper self-awareness through exploring aspects of themselves which they might not have noticed.
I offer gentle CBT techniques which such as mindfulness. I also incorporate Sensorimotor techniques, which can be helpful for clients who have experienced Trauma.
Location
Most of the work takes place at Worcester House in Petersfield.
I also offer online or telephone counselling.
Training, qualifications & experience
I’m a qualified counsellor registered with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I began my career 15 years ago working in a number of Social care roles, including for Portsmouth Family Intervention Project, Southampton City Council and Southern Domestic Abuse.
Alongside my private practice, I am also employed as a Counsellor at the QA Hospital.
Formal Qualifications
- DipHe Humanistic Counselling - University of Portsmouth
- Level 3 Person-Centred Counselling - Southampton City College
- Registered member of the British Association of Counselling & 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
Photos & videos
Fees
£60.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I offer an initial appointment, which will give you the chance to decide if I am the right Counsellor for you. This can be done either over the phone or in person.
Individual therapy (in-person) is charged at £60 per 50-minute session.
Online counselling is charged at £42 per 50-minute session.
Session prices can be negotiable. If you feel that the fee makes counselling inaccessible to you, please feel free to mention this in your initial enquiry.
When I work
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