About me
My name is Lauren and i am the therapist behind YAP (Yorkshire Adolescent Psychotherapy).
My specialism is working within the adolescent phase of life and I have over 8000 hours of experience in one-to-one therapeutic sessions with this age group since 2015.
I am a relationship-focused integrative therapist, meaning I have been trained in many different approaches, ensuring I can offer a bespoke approach to every young person i work with. These include Child Centred, Attachment Focused, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Transactional Analysis, Behavioural and Trauma Focused theories and approaches. I am also trained in many creative interventions to support the young person to explore their inner world. All of the approaches i have trained in and the theories i have studied work seamlessly together for my work with young people. It's paramount for working with teenagers that you adjust your approach to suit them where they are in that moment. I am a keen advocate for knowledge and training of as many approaches as possible to meet this age group where they are in this crucial stage in their lives.
I have extensive experience in working with trauma, attachment disorders, bereavement, low mood, anxiety and self-harm and have had eleven years working experience in all of these areas and can offer specialised therapy to support both your child and yourself in the process.
I understand the prospect of therapy may be daunting for many young people and I prioritise the Therapeutic Relationship to enable my clients to feel comfortable and at ease with the process.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have completed seven years of professional training at BA and Master's level. Four years have been specialised in child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counselling and Psychotherapy . I am a clinical member of the United Kingdom Council of Psychotherapy (UKCP) and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
- I am a registered member of the BACP and an accredited member of the UKCP.
- 2009-2012 -BA (Hons) in Counselling Studies-York St John University
- 2020-2023- Children and Young People Psychotherapeutic Counselling Diploma (Level 6)-Northern Guild Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute (BACP and UKCP)
- 2020-2026- Child Psychotherapy Diploma (Level 7) Post taught and awaiting final exam panel) Northern Guild Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute.
- I have worked in a high school in Guiseley as the resident counsellor from 2014-2021. From early 2021 and i have continued this role within a Bradford high school part time working with complex clients.
- I am developing my own independent practice and am also based in a private York Clinic alongside building my Shipley based service under Wharf Street Practice.
- Various CPD training and courses around supporting Children and Adolescents
- Enhanced DBS Certificate
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training and experience
- From 2009-2014 i worked with complex adults in a Psychiatric hospital and with Young adults under Probation services.
I have worked in mental health support services since 2009 and exclusively an adolescent therapist since 2015. I have over 8000 hours worth of experience within the age group of 11-18 years which has helped me develop my approach to deliver individualised support across all developmental ages.
I am trained to work in ages 5-25 years but for this premises within Shipley will need to be Year 6 upwards. The room is large and cosy but would not be suitable for some of the creative and play interventions younger children would benefit from . I am still able to provide many other interventions for the older years of 11 and above.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.
As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.
UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
£70.00 per session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Payment to be made by BACS transfer or cash the day before our sessions.
I am an AXA-registered therapist.
I have limited places but these will take place on Wednesdays in Shipley with easy access to surrounding areas such as Baildon, Guiseley, Yeadon and many more. The practice is locate down a private street and is entered via an intercom system. There is a car park directly opposite and also a free car park with Costa two minutes away which is a perfect relaxing spot for parents whilst their child is in a session. Wharf Street Practice website provides more details of the location should you need them.
The building is warm and cosy and has been specifically renovated and designed for therapeutic work and i feel very lucky to be welcoming my clients there.
Please email with your initial enquiry and we can book in a free 20 minute telephone consultation to discuss what issues your child would benefit some therapeutic support with. From there, if you wish to we can book in an assessment session in person. This will give you and your child the chance to decide whether i am the right fit for your needs. and proceed from there.
If you have any further questions at all, please do contact me. No question is too small when it involves support for your child therefore I welcome any enquiries.
When I work
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Further information
School, College and University years can be a wonderful time but they can also be very complex and at times very difficult.
It has been an honour to support young people through these times over the last eleven years and i look forward to many more.
I have also worked with Primary School age children and will be developing further locations to facillitate this age group in the future. For my current Shipley practice i will be accepting referrals from year 6 upwards.
My website is currently being designed and will be live shortly.
