Lorraine Balfe

COUNSELLING OVER 27 YEARS, SINCE 1996

• BACP Registered & Accredited
• Oswestry, Shropshire, Mid Wales, Llanfyllin or anywhere via Zoom
• Face to face in Llanfyllin (stairs up to room)
• Disabled access to another room is available
• Online via Zoom - or a walk and talk 

 Change can be difficult, we talk ourselves out of it.  We have a plan, then life steps in. 

Are you thinking about trying therapy, then you just don't make the first step?  lbalfe@protonmail.com  -   I check it every day. It's the first step. Just a few words to start you off.

It can be both scary and exciting. Change is often perceived as a threat, so it's not easy to make that step and start the therapeutic work.   I can offer you an empathic, therapeutic relationship in which you can explore your problems, anxieties, feelings, thoughts, and relationships.  In doing this, you will make more sense of yourself and your world.  

In the last 4 years, life has changed in many ways and presented new challenges for people.  Many people have become isolated, lonely, anxious, depressed or feel grief from the loss of loved ones.  Working from home can take some adjustment and relationships can become strained.  Covid & the cost of living crisis has put extra pressure on many people and couples have separated due to the stress.  The climate change and the news of wars have made us feel very vulnerable and worried for our children's future. It's a difficult and complex world that we live in, yet we are encouraged to stay calm and carry on.  

Counselling can help to support you short term whilst you adjust to changes in your life and dispel the isolation that you are feeling.

I am working face to face and online at the present time.  A mix of these can be arranged to suit.

If you are wondering what that would be like, then you could try just one introductory short meeting to discuss it.  Email me for further discussion on this. 

Loss, Bereavement, Relationship issues? Anxiety? Depression? Stress? We all have times when we need someone to talk to, to be understood, to clear our confusion and stop our minds going round and round the issue.  

My aim is give you a confidential space - to be listened to and understood. This then forms the basis of a therapeutic relationship where you can talk in confidence about yourself and the problem. When we feel listened to and understood, it encourages us to dig deeper into our experiences and understand ourselves better. It's important that you feel free from judgement in order to explore your feelings in a way that helps you. You may need information or a plan to achieve a desired outcome. I will use all the tools that I have acquired, to work with you towards the life you want.

I have over 27 years of experience counselling thousands of people of all ages on all kinds of issues. I began my career with counselling in 1996 with CRUSE,  a bereavement care charity, where I worked for six years voluntary. After qualification, I then acquired work in 2 colleges, counselling and teaching. This was followed by working for Cheadle Royal hospital in GP practices for the NHS for over 8 years.

I have worked for the NHS occupational health, offering brief therapy for over 8 years. In 2010, I began full time private practice.

This has given me extensive experience working on all kinds of issues. I am an integrative counsellor, which means that I can use a variety of ways of counselling in order to benefit you.

I am accredited by the BACP, which means that I have been assessed and approved by the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and I have continued professional training and development. I am also registered with  BACP as an independent Counsellor.

So if you need to find a way to feel better or to make sense of some situation, to work towards change or adapting to a situation, counselling can help with all of these requirements. 

Testimonials

A selection of feedback from clients on how did counselling with Lorraine help?

"I must admit scepticism at first but now am convinced that counselling can greatly help."

"Counselling helped me to challenge my way of thinking thus come to terms with my current problem"

"I felt empowered and impelled to have conversations/make decisions I was putting off"

"Listening to me. A person who did not know me who didn't judge me, helped."

"Being able to reflect on situations and understanding my reaction and my coping mechanisms, helped"

"I was sceptic at first but soon relaxed and talked frankly and freely"

"She is very good at listening, encouraging, not critical and gives real examples to help me think positively"

"She treated me as a person rather than a number!! which for the first time relaxed me"

"She helped me to realise that I needed to start to put myself first sometimes, and to get to know my emotions and to let myself feel that it was ok to cry or to show emotions."

"I was allowed to say how I felt. I was helped to put things in order. This enabled me to see through the mist. I was not judged."

"It was empathetic, considerate and at times, provided some great insight and 'Eureka' moments."

Please feel free to telephone or email to discuss your requirements. Monday - Saturday.

I will answer your enquiry the same day, as I know how important it is.

Please email for a free discussion about your therapy needs.  After this, we may meet up for 30 minutes to see if we are compatible for therapy.

  If you decide to enter into counselling, my usual fee is £50 for an hour.

  Concessions are available, I can do a 45 minute session for £40.  This is the usual amount of time you may get in primary care settings.  Counselling works well if attended regular,  fortnightly can be an option.

My counselling room is accessed by a private entrance and then up steep stairs.
Counselling is by appointment and after making a working agreement and assessment.