Louise Masterson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Hi, my name is Louise and I work as a Counsellor/Psychotherapist in Thame. Thank you for taking the time to look at my profile because I recognise that the idea of counselling could be 'new' to you and feel quite overwhelming in itself.
I understand that we all have struggles in life, some big, some small. However, it is often how we are managing to cope with them that makes a difference to how we are feeling.
I can help you if your worries are going around and around in your head by providing you with a safe space to share your thoughts, so that you can understand why you feel the way you do. It is hard if you feel isolated; alone or don't know which way to turn. Holding onto thoughts and feelings can lead you to feel anxious or stuck and negatively impact your physical health. I have professional and personal experience of the mind and body connection and believe talking therapy can help. This is why I take a holistic perspective to support you on your counselling journey.
There may be more than one aspect of life which is contributing to how you feel, which is why I have undertaken additional training related to anxiety; depression; stress; low mood; family issues; low self esteem; loss/bereavement and disordered eating. I have also worked as a Midwife and Health Visitor - which means I have experience of pre/post birth and motherhood.
I work with all ages from teenagers (which includes experience of working in a Secondary School) to clients who have retired. My focus is to listen compassionately, so that you don't feel alone and have the courage to find solutions to your difficulties, so that you can move forward.
What are the benefits of starting counselling sessions with me?
I am genuinely interested in learning more about you and by developing a trusting relationship, this will feel like a safe space whereby you can focus on yourself and explore/work out what you really think/feel.
Our Counselling sessions encourage you to talk through your own perspective, without judgement or opinion from others, which can make a huge difference to how you feel about the difficulties which you are facing.
Sometimes we react and respond in a certain way because of how we view ourselves and others. This is often an interpretation which we create in our childhood years and from a psychotherapy perspective, means it can be helpful to talk through some of your early memories, including what your family life was like.
I am also trained and have experience of exploring dreams, which often provide some insight into your current thought process (which is sometimes out of awareness).
Many of clients have said that following our sessions they 'feel lighter' or that a 'weight has been lifted' as they have gained a different perspective and feel hopeful as they begin to move forward.
Do I have a special focus or experience in a particular area?
Previously working as a Family Planning Nurse; Registered Midwife and Health Visitor means that I have an understanding of the possible challenges involved in conceiving (e.g. IVF/miscarriage) and in pregnancy.
I have supported clients who have experienced birth trauma and found the postnatal period challenging (i.e. the adjustment to motherhood/parenthood - which includes antenatal/postnatal depression).
I understand from personal and professional experience, that every birth is different and sometimes we feel very different to how we had expected. Life has changed and this can lead to feeling a sense of loss - loss of self; loss of identity and loss of life as it was. This can then lead to feelings of guilt and shame because you 'shouldn't feel the way you do' and the 'inner critic' (judgmental self) can emerge.
Within parenthood, I have experience of supporting clients who are have an awareness of 'never-ending tiredness' and 'constantly juggling' various demands and priorities. There could be a sense of not 'doing enough' or 'being enough', which can be exhausting. Often, prioritising others means that your own needs have fallen by the wayside and consequently, our mental health is negatively impacted. It is easy to forget, that we can't help others if we don't help ourselves first.
Taking the time to invest in ourselves means that we are in a better position mentally and physically to cope with life's challenges.
How can counselling help you?
Counselling provides you with the designated time and space to explore what is troubling you. Life can be so busy and not feeling able to set the time aside can create greater worry/anxiety as the thoughts/feelings continue to be there but you may feel that what is troubling you, does not get resolved. Having the opportunity to gain some clarity means that you can explore; reflect and feel you have the courage and are capable of moving forward.
I am a Certified Online and Telephone Counsellor and I can help you (in the comfort of your own home) by providing kindness, warmth, empathy and understanding in a safe, confidential space.
Counselling can help you as talking through and exploring what is going on 'for you' - could be a release of pressure so that stress/tension is less likely to be held within the body and therefore, positive improvements physically may be observed.
For example, you may have previously experienced headaches or migraines; stomach pains; neck/shoulder tension. Holding onto your thoughts/feelings can not only create feelings of anxiety; depression and low mood but also lead to you feeling physically unwell.
The mind and body are closely connected - which I realise from attaining a Psychology Degree and also recognising this link personally and professionally when working alongside clients (as a Counsellor and Reflexologist). Our sessions provide a helpful way of letting go of what you are holding onto.
How to get in contact
Thank you again for taking the time to visit my page. Please feel free to email me or you can get in touch via text message with any further questions or to book an appointment.
Training, qualifications & experience
- Diploma in Adlerian Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Psychology and Philosophy (BSc)
- Diploma in Professional Studies in Midwifery - Registered Midwife (RM)
- Community Health Degree (BSc) - Health Visitor (HV)
- Certificate in Online and Telephone Counselling
- Advanced Certificate in Counselling
- Certificate in Counselling Concepts
- Counselling Skills Course
- Advanced CBT Diploma
- Anxiety Management Diploma
- Dealing with Depression Diploma
- Eating Disorder Awareness Diploma
- Couples and Family Therapy Diploma
- Grief and Bereavement Diploma
Qualifications in addition to Counselling include:
- Mental Health Awareness
- Postnatal Depression Training Course
- Psychological Problems Following Childbirth
- How to Help Adolescents and Young Adults During Covid 19
- Basic Substance Misuse Training
- Cultural Awareness Training
- Domestic Abuse - What is Domestic Abuse?
- Introductory Mental Health Training
- Smoking Cessation
- Diploma in Reflexology
- Diploma in Indian Head Massage
- Reiki First Degree
I am trained as an Integrative counsellor which means that I am able to provide a client centred, holistic approach when being alongside you on your counselling journey. I realise that a number of factors could contribute to feeling the way you do and therefore, do not adopt a 'one size fits all' approach. My holistic outlook has been recognised when I also work as a Reflexologist, because I understand that there is a significant connection between mind and body. Therefore, this is advantageous as a counsellor because we can explore how one impacts the other and work together to improve your overall health and well-being.
I have also completed a CBT course which I implement into my practice and if you wish, we can work together to explore some early memories; your family of origin and dreams. This enables us to make some interpretations regarding how you view yourself and others-therefore, can be enlightening.
My counselling experience includes working alongside teenagers (online and in a Girl's Secondary School) through to clients who are retired (in private practice).
The issues brought to counselling are of course individual, but I have supported clients who can feel overwhelmed and unsure which way to turn or what to do next. They may be experiencing one or a number of conditions, such as anxiety; depression; grief and bereavement; loss; self harm; disordered eating; low self-esteem; comparing themselves to others; and friendship and relationship difficulties.
Furthermore, my background working as a Registered Midwife and Health Visitor, means that I have supported clients who are struggling to conceive; or have experienced difficulties antenatally or postnatally (including birth trauma; low mood/depression). I understand that the transition to parenthood and the changes within relationships and family life can be challenging.
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
- Feeling heard and accepted by others
- Lacking a sense of belonging and significance
- Difficulties in the Conception/IVF journey
- Physical conditions during pregnancy and beyond
- Birth trauma
- Family dynamics
- Juggling priorities and adjusting to parenthood
- Hormonal issues (adolescence; peri-menopause, menopause)
- Managing change
Therapies offered
Fees
£55.00 - £73.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
You are more than welcome to request a free initial 10 minute consultation - please feel free to let me know when a convenient time call you would be.
I understand that you may want to see if we 'gel' as this is an important part of the counselling process.
Alternatively, it may be that you would prefer to go ahead and book a 50 minute counselling session so that you can see how the connection between us feels.
There is no obligation to continue with further sessions if this does not feel right for you.
If you decide to go ahead and book an appointment, I will send some information about how I work; payment details etc and we can then find a suitable date/time which suits us both.
I will hold the session provisionally in my diary for 48 hours and as soon as payment is received (via BACS), our session is confirmed and the Zoom link will then be sent to you.
Session fees for online via Zoom/telephone/email are £55. If you feel that a concessionary rate applies to you, please do let me know and we can discuss this further.
If you would like a face-to-face appointment, this will be £68 (due to the room booking fee and administration costs) at The Practice Clinic in Thame.
Please let me know if you need to cancel within 24 hours, or if full payment will be required.
When I work
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I will try and be as flexible as I can be. My working hours are a guide and some clients choose to book a number of sessions in advance (to ensure they get their preferred days/times).
Further information
I have experience of working in private practice and can now offer online sessions.
Why I take a holistic approach to counselling...
I have personally and professionally experienced that holding onto thoughts and emotions, can negatively impact psychological and physical health. For example, stress may be internalised so that headaches/migraines develop or stomach pains may emerge. The body speaks a language and noticing what is going on within, can reflect our thought process.
My holistic background as a Reflexologist has helped me to develop an understanding of the mind and body relationship which is why I take both of these aspects into account when working alongside you as a unique individual.
What you can expect from me?
I am a Registered Member of the BACP, which means that I adhere to an ethical framework, ensuring I am practicing safely. I receive regular supervision which is an important means of self development and providing my clients with an effective service. CPD is maintained by attending workshops; webinars; reading and listening to podcasts.
I will provide you with kindness; warmth; empathy and understanding in a safe, confidential space.
