About me
Hello and welcome. I’m Laura, a qualified and experienced integrative counsellor and psychotherapist that supports children, young people and adults. To help you explore what you’re going through at your pace, I offer a warm and judgement-free space, either face-to-face in Thornton Cleveleys, online or by telephone.
Choosing to start counselling can feel scary and overwhelming and so finding someone you feel comfortable opening up to is important. I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation so we can chat about what has brought you to counselling and what you would like from the experience. It’s an opportunity to get a sense of who I am, ask questions and see whether you feel I could be the right person to support you.
I am trained in a person-centred approach, which means I sit alongside you in a safe, non-judgemental and empathetic environment where we can explore and understand what is going on for you. As an integrative counsellor, I am trained in different therapeutic approaches that I can draw upon, meaning we can work flexibly with what you bring and our work can develop in response to your needs, preferences and pace. This offers you the space to explore your experiences, develop your own understanding and explore what feels right for you.
I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches, including:
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Creative Methods
- Play Therapy Techniques
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Mindfulness
I offer short and long-term counselling, recognising that everyone’s journey is unique. I am passionate about creating a warm, compassionate space where you can feel heard, understood and supported.
You may be looking for someone to support your child or teenager, and I understand that taking that first step can feel difficult for both of you. I aim to create a safe, relaxed and welcoming space where children and young people can feel comfortable being themselves, communicate in ways that feel natural and explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. I use age-appropriate creative approaches, including play and creative activities, recognising that children and young people may express themselves in different ways. I work collaboratively with parents and carers while keeping the young person’s voice, needs and developing autonomy at the heart of our work.
For your peace of mind, I hold an enhanced DBS certificate, personal indemnity insurance, and I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience
Alongside my private practice, I work as a school counsellor and provide therapeutic support through the NHS and local authority. I have six years’ experience supporting children, teenagers and adults from a wide range of backgrounds, with different experiences and challenges. Prior to my counselling roles, I have worked in children’s residential homes and caring roles supporting people with disabilities and neurodivergence.
Qualifications
- Foundation Degree in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
- BA (Hons Degree) Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Safeguarding certificate Level 1 and 2
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills
- CPCAB Level 2 Counselling Skills
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Mental Health Awareness
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Safeguarding and Prevent
- APT Level 2 Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- APT Level 2 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Life Minus Violence (LMV) – a CBT-based programme designed to reduce the risk of aggression or harmful sexual behaviours in forensic populations.
- CASEE (Child Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Evaluation)
Additional Training
I regularly complete additional training to develop my knowledge and skills. Some of the training I have completed includes:
- Creative Therapy
- Exploring Emotions
- Autism Awareness
- Neurodivergence
- Exploring Race and Diversity
- Exploring Attachment Theory
- Bereavement & Anticipatory Grief
- Healing Shame
- Understanding Suicide
- Self-Harm
- Online and Telephone Counselling
- PACE- a trauma-informed relational framework to support children and young people with attachment and trauma difficulties
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
Concessions offered for
Additional information
£50.00 per session
£40.00 Trainee Counsellors
All sessions are 50 minutes long and I offer a free 20-minute telephone consultation before beginning therapy.
To secure your appointment, payment is kindly requested at least 24 hours before your session and can be made by bank transfer.
For face-to-face sessions, if agreed in advance, payment can also be made in cash before the session begins.
When I work
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My working hours are subject to change, and I may be able to offer some flexibility. If the availability shown doesn’t work for you, please get in touch and we can explore whether there is another time that would suit you.
