Lucy Wykes

I'm a fully qualified humanistic integrative counsellor which means I can draw on different models in our work together. We are all unique people which means we all need therapy which embraces our individuality rather than fitting in with one way of working. My approach is tailored to you; I work with people not problems! 

I believe that people have a natural tendency to develop and grow to their full potential and can usually find their way using their inner sense of what is best for them. Life doesn’t always run to plan and there may be times when we lose touch with our natural tendency and we may need some help to move forwards, experiencing feelings that may lead to psychological difficulties. 

My aim is to understand you and your world from your point of view which I believe may help to make sense of any underlying feelings. Developing a trusting relationship with me, talking about important life events or expressing and processing emotions in a safe and confidential space without the fear of being judged or rejected may help you get in touch with your true self.     

It can be helpful to share difficulties and open up to someone outside of your friends and family to see things from a difference perspective. I can’t wave a magic wand nor can I promise you the process will always be easy, but I can offer you a confidential, non-judgemental and respectful space to explore whatever life may have thrown at you. Facing ourselves and our difficulties is never an easy task and I understand that it takes courage to make the decision to come to counselling.   

How I work

I work in a non-directive way which means I will follow your lead in whatever you wish to talk about. My main aim is to help you, via identifying patterns and reflection to become more self-aware and make meaningful change to your life. We will work collaboratively together with regular reviews to ensure you are happy and to check progress.  

The main areas of my work are with bereavement, depression, anxiety, self-esteem, identity, lack of direction, anger,  trauma, relationship, menopause support and family issues.  

What is Walking Therapy 
In addition to offering telephone, online and in person therapy, I also able to offer walk & talk therapy. This is where we meet in an outside space and simply walk and talk without the constraints of being indoors. I am happy to walk at your pace – whether that’s a stroll or something faster – and will ensure any route has plenty of places to pause.  

Some of the potential benefits to walking therapy include: 
Less intimidating walking side by side with your counsellor rather than sitting in front of them;  
Being in nature can help reduce stress and feel calming and grounding; 
We can socially distance making it more COVID-19 secure than meeting indoors;  
Walking releases healthy endorphins, the happy hormones, which are created by your body when you exercise.

My first session 
Counselling sessions last for 50 minutes. In our first session, I will carry out an initial assessment including the reason for seeking therapy and your goals from the therapy. You don’t need to prepare anything although it can be helpful to think about what you are hoping to achieve from the counselling. It’s also a chance for you to meet me and see if I’m the right counsellor for you. We can discuss any questions you might have about the way we will work and give you an idea of what our sessions might be like.  

How many sessions will I need? 
This totally depends on you and what you’d like to get out of coming to therapy. There is no maximum or minimum; we can take it at your pace and review how things are going at every session. I offer both short and long-term therapy. 

What is Counselling? 
Counselling gives you the opportunity to discuss difficult feelings or emotions you are having in a safe and confidential environment. People often come to counselling because they want to explore their feelings and thoughts in depth or change something in their lives. Counselling can help you become more self-aware and understand better the way you think and behave which can in turn help make sense of your difficulties. 

Counselling isn’t about telling you what to do or to give advice, but it can help you uncover where any difficulties may stem from and help you find ways to cope or reconcile those difficulties. 

Expressing and processing feelings and making sense of them may help you to create different ways of looking at yourself, others and the world around you. These new meanings will help you make conscious and rational decisions about what you do and don’t want, and what should be done about it.  

Fees: 
Free initial telephone consultation 
Online or telephone sessions are charge at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour 
In person sessions are charged at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour at my therapy rooms in South Croydon, CR2. 
Walking Therapy sessions are charged at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour at various locations across Croydon, South Norwood and Crystal Palace. 

Availability 
I have availability throughout the week, both daytimes and evenings. 

Free initial telephone consultation.
Online and telephone sessions are charge at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour. 
In person sessions are charged at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour at my therapy rooms in South Croydon, CR2. 
Walking Therapy sessions are charged at £65 per 50 minute counselling hour at various locations across Croydon, South Norwood and Crystal Palace. 

Availability 
I have availability throughout the week, both daytimes and evenings.