About me
Are you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, emotionally exhausted, or struggling to cope? Perhaps you're experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, trauma, health worries, or finding yourself stuck in patterns that no longer feel helpful. You may be carrying a lot on your own, putting everyone else's needs first, and feeling unsure where to turn.
You don’t have to work through this alone.
As a BACP-registered Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, I offer a warm, calm and non-judgemental space where you can talk openly about what’s happening for you and begin making sense of your thoughts and feelings at a pace that feels right for you.
My background – over 20 years NHS experience
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent 20 years working as a nurse within the NHS in cancer care, hospice settings and Accident & Emergency. During this time I supported people through grief, trauma, illness, uncertainty, emotional distress and life-changing experiences.
This experience deeply influences how I work today. It taught me how important it is to feel genuinely heard and supported, especially during life's most difficult moments. It also taught me that healing isn't about being "fixed" it's about feeling safe enough to understand what you're experiencing and finding a way forward.
Clients often tell me they feel at ease quickly because my approach is calm, compassionate and genuine.
Who I work with
People come to counselling for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a clear issue such as anxiety, trauma or relationship difficulties. Other times people simply know they don’t feel like themselves anymore and want help understanding why.
I regularly support adults experiencing:
• Anxiety, panic attacks, excessive worry and overthinking
• Depression, low mood and low self-esteem
• Trauma and difficult past experiences
• Relationship and family difficulties
• Work-related stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Grief, bereavement and loss
• Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
• Health anxiety and the emotional impact of illness
• Menopause and peri-menopause related emotional challenges
• Feeling stuck, lost or struggling with life changes
I have a particular interest in supporting people who have spent much of their lives caring for others, putting themselves last, or feeling responsible for everyone around them. Many clients come to me feeling emotionally drained, overwhelmed or disconnected from themselves.
You do not need to have everything figured out before coming to counselling. Sometimes having a safe space to pause, reflect and feel heard can be the first step towards understanding yourself and creating meaningful change.
How I work
I am an Integrative Counsellor and Psychotherapist, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on your individual needs. I believe there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to therapy because every person, experience and life story is unique.
My work is tailored to you as an individual. You are not seen as a diagnosis or a list of symptoms, but as a whole person with your own experiences, strengths, challenges and ways of coping.
Together we may explore:
• Thoughts, feelings and emotions in a safe, supportive space
• Patterns from the past that may still be affecting you today
• Anxiety, excessive worry, stress and panic attacks
• Trauma and difficult life experiences
• Self-esteem, confidence and self-compassion
• Relationship patterns and emotional difficulties
• Grief, loss and life changes
• What you need to feel happier, more balanced and more like yourself
My style is warm, down-to-earth and compassionate. I aim to create a calm, non-judgemental space where you feel comfortable talking openly and honestly at your own pace.
Alongside support and understanding, I may also gently challenge unhelpful patterns when it feels appropriate, helping you gain insight, build resilience and create meaningful change.
I regularly check in with you throughout our work together to ensure therapy feels helpful and that we are working in a way that feels right for you.
As a registered member of the BACP, I work within their ethical framework and attend regular supervision and ongoing professional development to ensure my work remains safe, supportive and effective.
Where I work
I offer face-to-face counselling from my private practice in Allerton Bywater, in a quiet and comfortable setting designed to feel welcoming, safe and confidential.
My practice is conveniently located for clients travelling from:
Castleford | Garforth | Kippax | Methley | East Leeds | Wakefield | Rothwell | Sherburn-in-Elmet | Oulton | LS15 | LS25 | LS26 | WF7 | WF8 | WF10 | WF11
Many clients choose to work with me because they prefer a quieter, more private setting away from busy city-centre locations.
I provide counselling for people experiencing anxiety, excessive worry, panic attacks, stress, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout and emotional overwhelm across the local area
I also offer online counselling for clients across the UK and Europe, giving you the flexibility to access support from your own home or a place where you feel comfortable.
Whether we meet face-to-face or online, my aim is to create a warm, supportive and non-judgemental space where you feel genuinely heard and understood.
Sessions and Fees
Free initial telephone consultation
£60 per 50-minute counselling session
Face-to-face and online appointments available
I offer a free initial telephone consultation, giving us an opportunity to talk about what has brought you to counselling, ask any questions you may have, and explore whether you feel I am the right fit for you.
I understand that reaching out can feel difficult, especially if this is your first experience of counselling. Many people tell me they feel nervous before making contact or worry that they won't know what to say. There is no pressure and no obligation to continue after our initial conversation.
I offer both face-to-face counselling in Allerton Bywater and online counselling across the UK and Europe, allowing you to choose the option that feels most comfortable and convenient for you.
I provide counselling for people experiencing anxiety, excessive worry, panic attacks, stress, grief, trauma, relationship difficulties, burnout and emotional overwhelm across the local area.
Starting counselling can feel like a big step, but it can also be the beginning of understanding yourself differently and creating meaningful change.
If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted or simply need someone to talk to, you are very welcome to get in touch.
Training, qualifications & experience
Training, qualifications & experience
I have extensive experience supporting adults with a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties and understand that people come to counselling for many different reasons. Some clients arrive with a clear understanding of what they need support with, while others simply know that something doesn’t feel right and want help making sense of their experiences.
Areas I regularly work with include:
• Anxiety, intrusive thoughts and panic attacks
• Trauma and difficult past experiences
• Grief, bereavement and traumatic loss
• Domestic abuse and coercive relationships
• Depression and low mood
• Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
• Stress, burnout and emotional exhaustion
• Menopause and peri-menopause related challenges
• Health anxiety and illness-related worries
• Sexual identity and gender identity
Before becoming a counsellor, I spent 20 years working within the NHS across cancer care, hospice settings and Accident & Emergency. Supporting people through trauma, loss, uncertainty and major life changes gave me a deep understanding of how emotional difficulties can affect every aspect of a person's life and relationships.
I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling from York St John University and I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
I am fully insured, registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), hold an enhanced DBS certificate, and work within the BACP Ethical Framework.
To ensure my work remains safe, effective and up to date, I attend regular supervision and ongoing professional development.
Clients often tell me they choose to work with me because I am calm, compassionate and easy to talk to, and because they feel reassured by my experience supporting people through difficult and emotionally challenging situations.
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
The most common reasons people come to see me are anxiety, panic attacks, depression, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, stress, exhaustion, trauma (past or present), emotional or sexual abuse, bereavement and loss, and a general feeling that life isn’t how they want it to be.
Sometimes the problem is clear, but often people feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why things feel so difficult. You may feel lost, disconnected, or tired of coping on your own.
Talking with a trained, experienced counsellor can help you make sense of what you are going through, feel more understood, and find a way forward that feels right for you.
Therapies offered
Fees
£60.00 per session
Additional information
Free Telephone Consultation
Fees
Sessions are £60 for 50 minutes
Please take a look at my website to find out more about me and how I work
louisepalmercounselling.com
When I work
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Further information
Further information
My practice is based Allerton Bywater, conveniently located for clients travelling from Castleford, Garforth, Kippax, Methley, Wakefield, East Leeds and surrounding areas across West Yorkshire, including LS15, LS25, LS26, WF7, WF8, WF10 and WF11. I also offer sessions in Malton on a Thursday and the wider area of Norton, Sherburn, Rillington, Hovingham, Melbourne, Stamford Bridge, Bishop Wilton and York
Many clients choose face-to-face counselling here because they value a quieter, more private setting away from busy city-centre locations. My aim is to offer a calm, welcoming and confidential space where you can feel comfortable talking openly and at your own pace.
I also offer online counselling for clients across the UK and Europe. Online sessions can provide flexibility if work, family commitments, health concerns, travel or personal circumstances make attending in person more difficult.
Whether we meet face-to-face or online, I aim to create a warm, supportive and non-judgemental environment where you feel genuinely heard, respected and understood.
Counselling can offer a space to pause, reflect and make sense of difficult thoughts, feelings or experiences helping you move towards greater clarity, understanding and change.