About me
Hi, my name is Louise, I am a BACP Accredited Therapist.
If you would like to explore your thoughts in a calm, non-judgemental space, please get in touch. My aim is to help you to feel supported so that you gain a clearer perspective and able to move forward.
I have experience of supporting clients with a range of difficulties, such as Anxiety; Low self esteem; Stress; Depression/low mood; Grief and Bereavement; Infertility; Pregnancy and Birth issues; Adjusting to parenthood; Menopause; Disordered Eating and relationship problems.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, clients often come to counselling with one issue and then others emerge. The value of therapy sessions is that you have the opportunity to process emotions, so different thoughts and feelings then come to the surface. You can decide what you choose to bring and I will help you to gain a clearer perspective so that you feel more confident and able to move forward.
I also have (previous) professional experience of supporting clients through the perinatal period and I have a developed a special interest in helping women to go through the menopause. This is because I have supported clients through these life changing events and recognise that they are both impacted by hormones which affect our mood; sleep; energy levels and identity. I have also noticed emotional similarities, such as increased anxiety levels; overwhelm; exhaustion/fatigue with sleep disturbances. There can be very little emotional support, which can lead you to feel that you can't cope. This is not easy, as you are likely to have others aspects of life to manage as well (such as family, work, relationships etc), which is why talking therapy can make a huge difference to you.
What are the benefits of starting counselling sessions with me?
-I can provide personal and professional understanding of women's issues in the perinatal period and menopause (including the role of hormones; anxiety and the other feelings which emerge).
-I also understand the mind and body connection and how we can feel emotions physically within our body when they can't easily be expressed.
-Therapy sessions provide you with an outlet, so that your thoughts and feelings are validated, and I can offer you empathy and understanding. This will enable you to feel more in control and positive about your experiences (often empowering).
-I regularly undertake additional training so that I can support clients (men and women) through different issues and this includes: Anxiety; Menopause; Grief and Bereavement; Couples and Family Therapy; Dealing with Depression; Eating Disorder Awareness; PND.
-I have also completed some CBT training and BACP aligned training with relation to Online and Telephone Counselling.
-I am an Accredited BACP Therapist and use an integrative approach so that I can adapt to meet your individual needs. I come from an Adlerian training background, means that we could explore early memories; your family of origin and dreams. These aspects all create a picture of how you view yourself (from a young age) and the world.
-I am client centred, meaning that I have no set agenda and am here for you with whatever you choose to bring to the session.
Many of my clients have said that following our sessions they 'feel lighter' or that a 'weight has been lifted'. You are welcome to take a look at my website to see some testimonials of how counselling sessions with me have been viewed.
Why do I have an interest in the Perinatal period and Menopause?
My previous career path (working as a Family Planning Nurse; Midwife and Health Visitor), has led me to passionately supporting clients therapeutically through the Perinatal Period. I have also gained valuable experience working with the Oxford Infant-Parent Perinatal Service during my Counselling training.
I am interested in helping to manage the emotional symptoms of menopause because at some stage, all women go through the menopause and yet there is often very little support to help with psychological wellbeing. We often try to 'appear to be coping', however, other areas of life often don't take a back seat! We all have different things going on, it may be that you have aging parents who need more support; or you may experience a parent passing away. It could be that you have teenagers who need you in a different way; the pressures of work may be more than what they were or you could have relationship issues. Therefore, going through the menopause could make other difficulties harder to cope with, as everything begins to feel more stressful; overwhelming or more anxiety provoking than it did.
Do I work alongside clients who are experiencing other difficulties?
Yes, I have undertaken additional training and supported clients who are feeling the effects of Anxiety; Stress; Low Self esteem; Depression/low mood; Bereavement/Loss; Disordered Eating; Difficulties at work; Managing chronic pain; Infertility; difficulties in Family dynamics/relationships and have worked with clients who have held onto Trauma within the body.
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 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
MBACP (Accred) Psychotherapist and Online Supervisor
Professional experience includes working as a Family Planning Nurse; Midwife and Health Visitor.
Counselling Qualifications:
- Diploma in Adlerian Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Advanced Certificate in Counselling Skills (Adlerian)
- Advanced CBT Diploma
- Certificate in Counselling Concepts (Person Centred)
- Diploma in Professional Studies in Midwifery - Registered Midwife
- Community Health Degree (BSc) - Health Visitor (HV)
- Anxiety Management Diploma
- Dealing with Depression Diploma
- Eating Disorder Awareness Diploma
- Couples and Family Therapy Diploma
- Grief and Bereavement Diploma
- I am currently undertaking Diploma training in managing the Menopause
Additional Qualifications acquired within other professional roles:
- Diploma in Reflexology (VTCT)
- 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 Indian Head Massage
- Reiki First Degree
My counselling experience includes working alongside teenagers (online and in a Secondary School) through to clients who are retired (in private practice).
Some of my Counselling sessions take place face to face at a welcoming clinic in Thame, but I have also undertaken additional training to work alongside clients safely online.
I am currently undertaking training to enhance my knowledge of going through the menopause.
You are very welcome to contact me and we can have a chat or arrange just one session, to see whether we would be a good fit. There is no obligation to have a set number of sessions, my intention would be to be alongside you on your counselling journey and make a positive difference to your well-being.
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 and Psychological conditions during perinatal period
- Birth trauma
- Family dynamics
- Juggling priorities and adjusting to parenthood
- Hormonal issues (adolescence; peri-menopause, menopause)
- Managing change
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£40.00 - £55.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
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 to call you would be.
I understand that you may want to see how well we connect, 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 and see how you feel.
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 £75 (due to the cost of administration and using a private comfortable room 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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Further information
I am able to use a room in Thame (for an additional charge) f you would like to meet in person, or and we can meet online via Telephone or zoom (whereby I have additional training to support your needs).
Why I take a holistic approach to counselling...
I work as a holistic practitioner because I have personally and professionally experienced that holding onto thoughts and emotions, can negatively impact psychological and physical health.
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.
Interest in the mind and body connection, led me to also train as a Reflexologist, so that I could provide relaxation and enhance general well-being.
What you can expect from me?
I am an Accredited, Registered Member of the BACP, which means that I adhere to an ethical framework, ensuring I am practicing safely. I receive regular supervision (and am aa qualified Supervisor) 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 without judgment.
