Lorna Slade

I am a psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist and Attachment-Focused EMDR practitioner.  I specialise in psychological and emotional healing from narcissistic abuse.

I am experienced in a wide range of areas including anxiety; depression; complex PTSD; low self-esteem; low confidence; chronic anger; bereavement; family estrangement; bullying in the workplace.

While working as a volunteer counsellor for Basildon Mind I trained in the Rewind technique and have experienced good results with people with PTSD.

First contact

Please feel free to email me in the first instance to tell me about your situation and goals for therapy.  After that we would speak for five minutes on the telephone, where you can ask all you need to know.

I offer an initial session lasting 1.5 hours that includes a look at your presenting issue(s), your childhood, your goals for therapy and how I work.  If we feel we have a good rapport, and if I believe I can help you, we will set a time to meet on a regular basis, normally every other week.

My approach and experience

I take an integrative approach using a range of tools, techniques and therapies. I am empathic and non-judgemental but also results-oriented, as I recognise that you want to make a real and lasting change.

Therapy is not a linear process - it requires a level of motivation and courage to look deeper into ourselves and our relationships: that process might leave us feeling more upset for a time, before a corner is turned.

Often we are subconsciously comfortable with our situation, no matter how negative, and unaware of certain patterns and triggers that could benefit from having a light shone on them.

My aim is that you will become your own therapist for the long-term and achieve greater levels of clarity, self-love and self-acceptance. 

Specialism

I specialise in emotional and psychological recovery for those who have been brought up by a narcissistic parent; who are currently dealing with a narcissist in a relationship, or dealing with the after-effects of a break-up with a narcissist - obsession, PTSD-like symptoms, complex PTSD, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, dealing with hoovering, smear campaigns, estrangement and so on.

Narcissistic abuse is complicated to describe. Some of the many impacts on victims include a deep sense of unworthiness, sadness and loneliness; problems with fitting into his or her environments and a fear they will always be abandoned, blamed and shamed. Success, especially in career terms will likely bring out impostor syndrome and, in life, an inability to plan for the long-term and a sense that something bad is waiting around the corner. 

The insidious nature of narcissistic abuse means a victim can fail to recognise what's going on, sometimes for decades, but it's never too late to seek help.

Rather than focusing too much on the abuser, my emphasis is on healing for my client. The journey requires determination and I work best with those who have experienced an awakening that they have been abused and are ready to undertake a journey back to self. 

See my interview about healing from narcissistic abuse on Phoenix Radio's Mental Health Matters podcast Episode 15, September 2016:

http://bit.ly/2cxPkau.

See my blog for the Counselling Directory:

https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/blog/2018/06/26/narcissists-as-parents-and-children/

For a more detailed description of narcissistic abuse and whether it applies to you, visit my website https://innerworks-therapy.com/

Method of counselling

I offer Skype counselling as people communicate as much through their body language as they do verbally.

I am fully CRB checked and insured, a registered member of the BACP and an accredited member of the National Counselling Society. I am on a register that has been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

£90.00 for the first 1.5 hr consultation. Thereafter £75.00 for daytime appointments.  £90.00 for one-hour EMDR sessions

Cancellation within 48 hours of the session will incur the full fee.