Leah Preston
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi,
I'm Leah and I aim to provide a warm and homely space where we can work together to explore what has brought you into therapy. Together we can discover and find the best ways that I can support you in reaching the goals of where you'd like to be.
I provide face to face counselling, online and phone via a variety of platforms.
I understand how daunting accessing counselling can be and so i offer a Free 15 minute phone call to discuss your needs prior to meeting where I can find out more about your mental health goals for therapy and if I am the right person to help you.
I offer the extended opportunity to meet before our first session begins at a reduced fee as I feel it's really important to find the right counsellor for you. This gives you the opportunity to see where I work and see how you feel before committing i charge £15 for a 30min informal cuppa and a chat.
A bit about me
I am now married and have 2 daughters, i have personal life experience as a single parent navigating co-parenting and general juggling of the demands of a working /family life.
I have Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder and i am on the Autistic Spectrum. This was formally diagnosed in adulthood and i can relate to the experience of working, parenting and academia as someone with a neurodiversity.
(with this in mind please excuse any typos and waffle)
:)
Training, qualifications & experience
I am a Humanistic and Integrative counsellor sometimes called a psychotherapist. The humanistic bit means you come first, you are a whole person, made up of many parts and there is no one like you. You are unique and valuable. I work relationally, experiencing whatever feelings, sensations, memories, thoughts and beliefs emerge for you. The integrative bit means that I draw on lots of theories to help make sense of difficult emotions in the best way possible. We can talk more about this when we meet.
I hold a BSc (Hons) in counselling and psychotherapy gained at the University of Staffordshire
I have over 20 years experience working within the health and social care sector and have worked in a variety of settings supporting people with physical and mental health conditions these include Anxiety, Depression, Low mood, Relationship Struggles, Neurodiversity, ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Trauma, Sexual Violence and Domestic abuse.
I currently work a blend of working from home running my private practice and working externally at a secondary school providing counselling with students age 11+
I work to BACP ethical standards, in line with their requirements, completed clinical obligations and had long-term therapy myself. I have an enhanced DBS and liability insurance with Holistic Insurance.
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
I offer perinatal (pregnancy and post birth) support to those who need it and clients with babies under 2 can bring them to attend in session if needed.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£15.00 - £65.00
Free initial telephone session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Sessions are £50 for 60 minutes and I ask for a minimum commitment of 6 weekly sessions. Beyond this 6 we can review how long you'd like to work together.
I charge £65 for evenings and weekends
I offer a reduced fee of £25 for anyone who identifies with needing to discuss a lower fee
I don't believe that finances should stop you accessing mental health support, if you are struggling please reach out and see what adjustments can be made.
Introduction sessions are £15 for 30minutes where you are welcome to enjoy a cuppa and see where I work from
When I work
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Further information
I work from an office within my home, I have a miniature dachshund called Penny, and two cats called Minnie and Boo.
You are always welcome to say hello to them on arrival.
