Sonia Lucas (MBACP) Integrative Counsellor & EFT Therapist
About me
Thank you for taking the time to view my profile. I am a qualified and experienced therapeutic counsellor working with adults and young people.
Life definitely can be a challenge and hard to make sense of at the best of times. You might recognise that you find yourself at a point in your life where you need support. Taking those steps towards acknowledging how you feel can seem like a challenging hurdle but, in time, it can also be immensely empowering and rewarding.
As an integrative therapist I have worked with many people with a wide range of problems from depression and anxiety to abuse and trauma. Having the opportunity to talk things through with a counsellor will allow you the time and space to gain an understanding as to why you're experiencing difficulties with emotions, poor patterns of behaviour, intrusive thoughts, overthinking and unsettling feelings. When we can make necessary connections to the root of difficult patterns of thoughts and behaviours, we realise we can facilitate change.
I follow the BACP code of ethics and adhere to the belief that the counselling relationship is based on a mutual respect with emphasis on a positive regard for the client's needs, trust, growth and change, in a safe and confidential space. What I aim to offer you through counselling is a non-directive approach in looking at your life, applying changes to help you move forward to experience the life you deserve to live.
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience and Background:
Over the last 15 years I have worked as an Integrative Counsellor in private practice and various organisations, with young people from 16 years old to adults.
Following my professional training as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, I worked for a counselling practice within their Tier 2 service assessing and supporting clients with mild to moderate mental health issues. In 2015 I completed a PGDip with a focus on the emerging relevance and connection of neuroscience in therapy. From that training I developed an interest in trauma, and in particular the idea of stored trauma in the body, and the connection to psychosomatic illness; physical illness/disorders linked to stressful and traumatic emotional experience. I so often witness the impact of upsetting events on psychological and physical health. This led me to follow an interest in Emotional Freedom Technique where I engaged in ongoing practitioner training, early 2019. I have also completed a number of clinical CPD training courses, including CBT with Heart, with Dr Adrian Hemmings, Clinical Psychologist.
My approach to counselling would be described as holistic, meaning that it helps clients to heal by taking the entire human being, you, and your life experience into consideration. My focus is to adapt and tailor particular models of therapy to accompany our work. I use a blend of theories and, where appropriate, strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
My experience in counselling supports areas of, but not limited to:
- emotional and behavioural problems
- adoption (this is specialised work closely supported by an expert Adoption Supervisor)
- eating disorders
- bereavement and loss
- psychosomatic illness
- cancer support
- sexual and personal identity
- depression
- anxiety
- attachment
- low self-esteem
- abuse (physical, emotional and sexual) and mild to moderate addictions.
Qualifications:
- PGDip in Integrative Psychotherapeutic Counselling
- PGDip in Adolescent Therapy
- Dip in Clinical Supervision
- Cert in CBT
- Cert Counselling and Psychotherapy
- EFT Level 1&2
Alongside working privately in Surrey, I am a Counsellor at a Sixth Form and Counselling Organisation, working with Adolescents and Adults in Hertfordshire.
I have regular clinical supervision to support all client work.
CPD Training in:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Bereavement, Grief and Loss
- Dementia and Family/Carers
- Eating Disorders (Disordered Eating)
- Transgender and Identity
- LGBTQ
- Sexual Abuse and Trauma in Adults
- Trauma and Somatic Illness
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Addictions
- Mindfulness
- Boarding School; Trauma & Attachment
- EMDR and PTSD
- Adoption (Clinically Supervised work with an expert in Adoption)
- Amygdala and Trauma
- Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
- Gestalt and Trauma
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
BACP is one of the UK’s largest professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy. Therapists registered with the Association fall into a number of different membership categories such as Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP and Registered Member MBACP (Accred), each standing for different levels of training and experience. MBACP (Accred) and MBACP (Snr Accred) members have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by the Association.
Registered members can be found on the BACP Register, which was the first register to achieve Accredited Voluntary Register status issued by the Professional Standards Authority. Individual Members will have completed an appropriate counselling and/or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but will not appear on the BACP Register until they've progressed to Registered Member MBACP status.
All members are bound by a Code of Ethics & Practice and a Complaints Procedure. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
Accredited register membership
Accredited Register Scheme
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
Fees
Woking, Victoria Clinic: Weekday and Evening Sessions: £50 per 50 minute session - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Further information
You may feel there is something more personal and specific to you that is not addressed or noted. I am happy to discuss any areas of concern and, if I am not the right counsellor, there may be a fellow professional I can refer you to for support and guidance.
