Laura Mearns
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello and welcome.
I am a highly experienced counsellor working with adults and young people aged 13 and over in the Southampton and Romsey area. I work with issues such as anxiety, depression, low mood, self-esteem , relationship difficulties and I specialise in childhood and adult trauma. I can offer face to face, online and telephone sessions, depending on what works for you.
When considering counselling it can often be at a time when we feel a sense of confusion around our thoughts and feelings. Some experiences in life, both from the past and present, can leave us feeling stuck and unsure how to move forward. At times, we may feel worried about the future and how we will resolve our problems.
Having a confidential space to talk through the things that are troubling you, feeling listened to and understood can lead to new ways of managing difficulties. It can help you make sense of what you are experiencing, increasing confidence and self-esteem.
I offer a non-judgemental, compassionate and accepting environment in which to explore your concerns. It is also an opportunity to develop self-awareness, helping you make informed choices for yourself and finding ways of being in the world that are more meaningful to you. Counselling is a positive approach to becoming more connected to yourself, to others and feeling more peaceful and in control of your life.
Taking the first step to access support can feel daunting but these fears are usually eased once started. It can also feel a positive step, taking action for oneself. I hope this has helped to reassure you but if you have any further questions or for more information about counselling please do not hesitate to call or email me.
How I work
I am trained in the Humanistic approach which combines Person-centred, Gestalt and Transactional Analysis models of therapy. This means, I believe that each person is a unique individual, will have their own way of perceiving the world and will naturally try to move towards a more fulfilling way of living. The model also acknowledges we are best able to work through problems in a genuine relationship and values the therapeutic relationship as a source of doing so.
We will work together to identify your goals or what you would like to get from coming to counselling and this will include a discussion on the amount of sessions you require. I can work in a short or long-term way and we can review this as we go.
I am employed with a local charitable organisation where I have been since 2010. I provide individual counselling, therapeutic/psycho educational groups and clinical supervision for volunteer counsellors. I have in-depth knowledge of trauma related to childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault and domestic abuse. Other work undertaken includes secondment to Child and Adolescent Mental Health services (NHS) one day a week and facilitating a woman’s psycho educational group with the NSPCC . I have additionally worked within the family therapy team providing parent support sessions and recently I have been providing therapy for woman with complex needs supported by a Southampton City Council project.
I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy which sets ethical guidelines for the counselling I provide. I understand the importance of offering a quality service with high standards of care. I also hold the appropriate CRB/DBS checks to work with young people.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- BA Hons (1st) Humanistic Counselling (2013) University of Chichester
- Diploma Humanistic Counselling (2011) University of Chichester
- Certificate HE Integrative Counselling (2009) University of Southampton
- Level 2 counselling skills (2007)
Training and CPD
- Supervision in the helping professions
- Psycho-educational group-NSPCC
- Emotional coping skills (based on DBT)
- Gambling and alcohol addictions
- Safeguarding adults and young people
- Healing trauma
- Group work skills
- Diversity
- Domestic abuse
- Dynamic interpersonal therapy
- Gender identity
- Mind:Ed counselling Children and Young People
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Providing therapy for woman with complex needs (Southampton City Council project)
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
- Working with parents around their relationships with their children or family.
- University students who may be experiencing difficulties in a number of areas.
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 - £60.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
My fee is £55-60 per 50-minute session. I offer an initial free 30 minute telephone/online consultation so that we can decide if I am the right counsellor for you and if you would like to continue your sessions with me. For face-to-face consultations there is a charge of £30
This will also be an opportunity for you to identify any concerns you would like to bring and agree how we might work together. There is no obligation to continue after this if you do not wish to do.
I also offer telephone or zoom sessions as an alternative to face-to-face.
When I work
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I work Tuesdays and Fridays all day but please contact me for up-to-date availability
Further information
I run my practice in Southampton and Romsey. There is parking on the surrounding roads or by the office.
You are welcome to email or call to discuss things further, although, I am not always able to answer your call straight away, if you leave your name a brief message I will get back to you within 48 hours.
*Due to increased spam calls , I would need a brief voicemail or txt to return a call.