Lois Forman

Training, qualifications & experience

Training and Qualifications

• Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
• Certificate in Counselling
• Introduction to Counselling skills
• Post Graduate Certificate of Education
• BA Hons. Degree

CPD Courses

• Bereavement Support Foundation Course - Cruse
• Ongoing Telephone Support
• Developing Skills to work with Erotic Transference
• Developing Skills to work with Anger
• Mental Health First Aid - Full Course
• Mental Health First Aid - 'Lite' Course
• Compassion for Voices
• Sudden and Traumatic Death
• Death of a Child at any age
• Using Masks and Creative Mediums within Therapy
• BACP Private Practice Network Meetings
• Autism Awareness
• PREVENT (annually)
• Safeguarding (annually)
• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Employment Experience

Student Welfare and Engagement (Young Carers and LGBTQ+)- Further Education
Teacher/ Staff Welfare - Primary Schools
Student Mentor - Secondary School

Volunteering Experience

Bereavement Volunteer (1:1 Bereavement Counselling) - Cruse Bereavement Care
Trainee Counsellor - GP Surgery
Homeless Support Volunteer (Cooking and delivering soup) - Peterborough Soup Kitchen

Other areas of counselling I deal with

I have experience of working with the following, and more:

• Generalised anxiety disorder
• Panic
• Family issues
• Feeling sad
• Depression
• Separation
• Divorce
• Affairs
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Low self-esteem
• Bereavement
• Alcohol addiction
• Drug addiction
• Sex and love addiction
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse
• Physical abuse
• Sex problems
• Anger
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Behaviour problems
• Work-related stress
• Suicidal thoughts,
• Loneliness
• Sexuality
• Meditation
• Paranoia
• Bullying
• Careers
• Spirituality
• Family
• Menopause
• Sleep

Further information

Style of Counselling

I am qualified as an integrative counsellor. This means that the course I studied integrated two theories together. These theories are called Person-Centred and Object Relations.

Person Centred

Person or client-centred therapy is based on the view that everyone has the capacity and desire for personal growth and change, given the right conditions. Rather than being seen as ‘the expert’ and directing the therapy, the counsellor recognises that the client is the expert of their own experience. The counsellor’s role is to offer acceptance, empathy and honesty to the client, which gradually leads to a developed sense of self acceptance and positive change.

Object Relations

Object Relations is a theory of relationships between people, in particular within a family and especially between the primary caregiver and their child. The basic premise is that everyone has an internal need to form relationships. If relationships are not formed securely at a young age, this can lead to relationship issues in later life. The therapy between counsellor and client can offer clients a more positive experience of a relationship, which can then lead to more positive relationships outside of the therapy room.

Integration

The basis that integrates these two theories, is that relationships form us as we develop from a baby.

Telephone/ Online Counselling

Although I offer these services, telephone/ online counselling is much more effective once a relationship has been established and developed through face to face sessions. However, I am happy to discuss individual needs on a ‘client-by-client’ basis.

Home Visits

This is a possibility, however, it would need to be talked through fully before-hand. Again, I am happy to discuss individual needs on a ‘client-by-client’ basis.

Finding the right Counsellor for you

I believe that getting the right counsellor is vital, so if we've had a session or two and you decide that I’m not right for you, feel free to ask me to signpost you to someone who might be a ‘better fit’ for you at this time in your life.