About me
I am an experienced Accredited Psychotherapist and EMDR Practitioner.
My services provide in-person therapy for people across Essex and online therapy for people all over the UK and the world. The treatment I provide is friendly, empathic and without judgement.
I specialise and have experience in many areas of psychotherapeutic treatment including, but not limited to trauma, relationship problems, phobias, and addictions. My sessions can also greatly benefit people who are suffering from feelings of anger, anxiety, depression, and stress. Counselling can also help with confidence, communication, assertiveness, and anger problems, helping you also to look at things from other perspectives.
Your therapy journey with me can help you better understand, manage, and cope with your feelings and obtain a better understanding of yourself.
Seeking therapy isn't a sign of weakness it's a sign of strength. It shows that you have decided you are ready for change. In our therapy journey, I am there for you, to listen and help you find the answers. One of the hardest things is making that first phone call, but once that call has been made it shows a sign that your inner strength is helping you through.
I help people of all ages and tailor my sessions accordingly. This is because young children, adolescents, and adults require different approaches and adaptations according to their needs.
I am a fully insured and accredited EMDR Practitioner, as well as an accredited member of The National Counselling Society. I am registered with the BACP and hold a certificate of proficiency. I also hold an enhanced DBS certificate for working with children as well as an Approved Adoption Counsellor by Barnado's LINK.
What happens...
First, an assessment appointment is made, either by email, text, or telephone, whichever is more convenient.
At the assessment, I will find out a little more about you, your history, medication, health issues and then discuss your reasons for seeking therapy. I will also discuss your expectations, goals and where you would like to be with your life in the future. In this meeting, we will both be able to decide whether we feel comfortable working with each other. I will explain how I work and which type of therapy would help you most in your current situation.
Throughout the sessions, we will work toward the root cause of your issues, confront them, and move forward into a new more satisfying lifestyle, whilst offering a safe environment for you to explore the issues that are affecting your life.
Therapy Approach
My approach is integrative. This means that I am able to draw on all of my training and previous client experiences, life experiences and utilize use a wide range of counselling approaches, which will enable me to assess your needs and offer a unique service to each individual.
Some of my therapy approaches include EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), TA (Transactional Analysis), SFBT (Solution Focussed Brief Therapy) Person-Centred, Psychodynamic and Mindfulness.
Change can be difficult and can bring up a whole abundance of emotions. I will be there to support you through that journey.
Why choose me for therapy?
- Tailored therapy for each client
- Friendly
- Professional
- Confidential
- Caring
- Non-judgemental
- Fully qualified
- Fully insured
- Safe and comfortable environment
- Provides counselling for all ages
- DBS checked
- Accredited Member of Professional Bodies.
- Adoption Trained
- Committed to Ongoing Professional Development
Training, qualifications & experience
Image Transformation Therapy
EMDR Levels 1,2,3 and 4
EMDR Child Trauma Training Level 1 and Level 2
EMDR Accreditation EMDR Complex Trauma Certificates
EMDR - Pain Control - Mark Grant
EMDR - RTEP (Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol)
EMDR - GTEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol)
Hosted by Trauma Response Network in order to aid immediate responses to Mass Trauma and Acts of Terrorism within the U.K
Attachment-Focussed Healing Developmental Deficits and Adults Abused As Children
with Laurel Parnell, Ph.D.
The Feeling- State Addiction Protocol with Robert Miller, Ph.D.
Image Transformation Therapy
Eating Disorders and EMDR with Pam Virdi
Rewiring the Addicted Brain with Laurel Parnell.
Flash Technique with Philip Manfield
Approved by the Police Firearms Officers Association
Approved Adoption Counsellor by Barnardos LINK
Certificate in Counselling Supervision
Practitioner Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Certificate of Proficiency British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Level 4 AQA Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling
Level 2 AQA Introduction to Counselling Concepts.
Level 2 AQA Certificate in Counselling Skills
Certificate for Counselling Children and Young People
Certificate for Supporting Substance Misuse Clients Awareness
Certificate for Children Family and Play
Certificate for Safeguarding Children Training
Certificate For Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults.
Certificate For An Introduction To Family Therapy
Familiar with attachment and trauma, adopted, foster children and their carers.
Certificate of Attendance on Offender Behaviour & Specialist Risk Assessment
Certificate of Attendance on the Management of ADHD and associated problems in Children
Certificate of Attendance For Open Door In House Safeguarding Children and Case Management training.
Certificate of Attendance For Sexual Health Awareness Foundation Training (SHAFT)
Certificate of Achievement on successful completion of the "Losing The Will To Live: Self Harm and Suicide" Training
Certificate of Attendance Jim Knipe's "EMDR Toolbox"
AIP Methods for treating Complex PTSD & Dissociative Personality Structure
A weekend with Master EMDR Clinician Jim Knipe
Experience
My private practice is Benfleet Counselling http://benfleetcounselling.co.uk/ and I work with people of all ages covering many different issues.
I work with couples who are experiencing relationship problems and individuals who come to see me with a number of different problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, low confidence, phobias, bereavement are to name just but a few.
In my private practice I work with EAP's, schools both primary and secondary and also Banardos LINK where I counsel individuals and families where they have some connection with adoption.
I have experience in working a charity based in Thurrock where I counselled children from the ages of 5 to adolescents to young adults.
I have worked in both primary and secondary schools helping children with lots of different issues, such as parents break-up, bullying, bereavement, low self-esteem, low self confidence and anger management.
I have counselled adults suffering with drug and alcohol addictions.
In addition to this I also counsel residents, staff and relatives of residents who are suffering with dementia at a Dementia Care home based in Leigh on sea Essex.
I offer counselling support with the following issues:
- Anger issues / Anger management
- Relationship difficulties
- Dissatisfaction with life and feeling down
- Low self esteem
- Physical and sexual abuse
- Stress
- Bereavement
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Work Related Stress
- Addictions (Drug and Alcohol)
- Bullying
- Body Dysmorphia
- Abuse
- Flashbacks
- Phobias
- Self Harm
Member organisations
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.

National Counselling Society (NCS)
The National Counselling Society
This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.
In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
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.

EMDR Association UK (EMDR UK)
EMDR UK
Accredited register membership

Accredited Register Scheme
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.


Accredited Register Scheme
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
Offering therapy In person, Online and telephone.
In Person - Lorraine's practice is set in a peaceful location in the heart of Benfleet.
There is parking, its near to Benfleet Train station and bus routes.
On Line via Zoom and Bilateral Base (an online platform designed especially for EMDR Therapy)
Therapies offered
Fees
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
I offer a free 15 minute telephone consultation.
I offer 2 spaces per week for low cost therapy for 6 sessions. This is to help people who are struggling financially. I currently have a waiting list for this service. If you are interested please let me know and I will be in touch as soon as a space becomes available.
Fees do vary depending on the length of your session.
My fees are excl. of VAT.
When I work
Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
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Mon- Fri 9.00am - 6.00pm Saturdays 10.30am - 2.00pm
Further information
In Person appointments are available to clients who do not feel comfortable seeing me online. This will be subject to complying with my terms and conditions and signing a Covid19 consent form.
My in person therapy sessions are limited, I provide hand sanitiser and can provide face masks if you forget to bring your own.
My room is disinfected between clients, ensuring client and therapist safety at all times.
I also see clients who have health care insurance policies with the following healthcare providers:-
Aviva
Vitality Health
WPA