Laura Mercer
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hello, I’m Laura, a Counsellor working and living in Bristol. I believe that counselling can greatly benefit everyone.
Counselling can be transformative for many issues - if you are feeling stuck in life, struggling with some unexpected changes, trying to cope with anxiety or low mood or attempting to find more boundaries in your relationships.
I’ve successfully supported many clients with these and other concerns - including lack of motivation, poor self esteem, relationship difficulties, bereavement, childhood trauma, stress, chronic health conditions and those just wishing to develop a stronger sense of self.
I will work with you on whatever it is that you are struggling with - it may be something happening now or a problem or trauma from the past.
Anything you would like to bring to counselling is welcome here.
We’ll go at your pace, centred on what you wish to talk about (with no need to address anything before you are ready to).
I’ll provide a safe, calm, confidential environment so you can relax, be at ease and we can focus entirely on you and what you want to solve.
I’m friendly, accepting and non judgemental and actively work with you to build a strong therapeutic relationship. This therapeutic relationship is at the heart of what makes counselling so restoring, resolving and revitalising.
As a Person Centred Counsellor, I don’t fixate on any “labels” you may have been given. Instead we’ll concentrate on you as a person and what’s important to you. You know your situation better than anyone - counselling is not a “one size fits all.”
I’ll always listen very carefully with complete empathy, to try and fully understand you and your situation.
If your problems currently feel overwhelming, counselling can let you take a welcome step back and gain a more insightful perspective on everything that is going on for you.
The sessions are yours.
I’ll be with you every step of the way, to help effectively deal with the issues, hold space for you and be with you as together we find the right solutions for you.
About me
Throughout my life I have worked and volunteered in organisations specialising in positive mental health, neurodiversity, loneliness and isolation and currently work for the NHS in a Wellbeing role.
I am a qualified counsellor, having achieved my Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and a Certificate in Counselling Skills from South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. I am currently undertaking an additional post qualification Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. I also hold a Psychology BSc.
I adhere to the Ethical Framework and Code of Good Practice of the BACP (British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy www.bacp.co.uk ). I am a Registered Member of the BACP (410460) and hold the appropriate insurance to practise.
I have undertaken additional training in suicidal safeguarding, grief and loss and understanding neurodiversity, along with Mental Health First Aid.
Availability and location
I offer both short, medium and long term counselling, and provide weekly or fortnightly sessions to fit with your schedule, either face to face, online or over the phone.
If you are interested in face to face counselling in Bristol, I practice at two locations in Bedminster and Southville. I have availability on Thursdays or Fridays.
I understand that at first, even thinking about counselling may be a little nerve wracking, so to put your mind completely at rest I offer a free 20 minute introductory call. On this call you can ask me any questions you may have to put your mind at rest.
I offer a concessionary rate for trainee counsellors and have 3 low cost slots, which are currently filled but I will update this page with any new availability. I will also update this page when my evening slots become available as these are very popular.
Let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to answer them.
Training, qualifications & experience
BACP Registered Member - 410460
CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies
CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
Psychology BSc with Professional Placement
Neurodiversity Training focusing on working with those with Autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia
Grief and loss training
Health coaching training with a focus on Motivational Interviewing
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
Motor vehicle accidents
Recovering from serious injuries, chronic pain
LGBTQ+ counselling
Neurodiversity including autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyslexia
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £55.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
When I work
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I can offer in person, video or telephone counselling sessions. My current availability is Thursdays and Fridays. Evening slots are currently filled (availability updated regularly).
Further information
I have experience working in the NHS and have completed extensive counselling training. I have also previously worked with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent individuals in the charity sector and with survivors of serious motor vehicle accidents and those with chronic pain.
