Nicola Priestman

Welcome

My name is Nicola Priestman, I am an experienced psychotherapist and counsellor. I run a private practice in Preston, Lancashire.  My experience and success as a psychotherapist comes from several years in practice working in both education, health and charitable settings. I have worked with both private clients and for a number of national EAPs (professional assessment and referral and/or short-term counselling services) who contract with organisations and refer employees to me. I work with both long term clients and short term (up to 6 /12 sessions and beyond if required). I have experience of delivering therapy face to face and online.

Experience

I have worked for 1 Point Northwest in Bolton, delivering psychotherapy on a 1:1 basis to adults with a wide range of mental health difficulties. I have also worked at Lancaster University providing therapy to students and for N-Compass in high schools across the North West. In addition, I have worked for HMP Prison Service as a therapeutic community worker with the substance misuse team facilitating group workshops. I also have experience of working online at Kooth delivering therapy to adults, children and young people. I have worked in residential child care services specialising in developmental trauma, supporting and delivering therapy to children and young people with social emotional behavioural difficulties, complex trauma, learning disabilities and neurodiverse disorders.

Registration /Membership

I am  professionally registered as a therapist with the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy  (BACP) and I am on the Counsellors Directory. They are both  public records of psychotherapists and counsellors who have met the standards for professional registration. The standards cover training, supervision, continuing professional development and a contractual commitment to the (BACP) Ethical Framework. Which is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care.

What I offer

Initial  telephone consultation -  this provides an opportunity to establish what the  problem/s may be, what we can do about this and to see whether we can work together.


Individual therapy:  online video platform/ telephone delivery - this is a form of therapy in which a client is treated on a one-on-one basis with a therapist, which may encompass various treatment styles including psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioural therapy.


Areas of experience

Anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, marital discord, separation & divorce, psychological, family issues, affairs and betrayals, sexual and emotional abuse, post traumatic stress, (PTSD) , bereavement & loss,  seasonal affective disorder. School or workplace bullying, substance misuse/abuse, body image issues,  miscarriage, death of a child, low self-esteem and disability, professional/career related issues.

How can therapy  help?

Psychotherapy can liberate you from the isolation and loneliness of living with what can often seem unbearable. How? - by providing you with an opportunity  to explore those feelings with someone, who is completely on the outside looking in, rather than with a friend, family, work colleague or other. It also offers you  a safe, non judgemental and confidential space.

As a result of therapy, you may find that you can now deal with the things that once seemed impossible and face challenges, take risks and even gain a higher sense of purpose /self awareness. Remember when your body and mind work the way nature intended, your spirit soars and so do you!!.