About me:

Hi, I'm Laura, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Counsellor (NCPS-accredited.)

For over 30 years, I have worked in various paid and unpaid support roles, assisting vulnerable people of all ages to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

For many years I struggled with anxiety and low self-worth - never thinking I was good enough. I was "that person" who accepts the party invitation, then cancels at the last minute, who could not face the staffroom at work through fear of not knowing what to talk about, and who turned down job opportunities because I was convinced I was not good enough.

This of course affected how I felt about myself, resulting in many self-critical thoughts and put-downs. Anxiety pushed me into a corner, led me to setting low expectations for myself and stopped me from trying to achieve things in my life.

A big part of my Counselling training involved reflective practice, meaning I had to take an honest look at myself, and explore my own negative thoughts and behavioural patterns. I learned to tune into and notice what I was feeling inside my body - tightness in my stomach and throat, tension in my shoulders, etc. so that I could experience my emotions more fully.

I began to recognise my tendency to avoid when things got difficult or uncomfortable for me; how I would tell myself "I have to do this perfectly" or "I can't do this, I'm not good enough" and give up.

At first it felt uncomfortable to experience this emotional exposure; I learned to accept the reality of how I was feeling with kindness and self-compassion, I acknowledged how I was holding myself back, and found techniques to help me move forwards by changing my limited view of myself and my behaviours.

It wasn't easy, and I admit I am a work in progress. Spoiler alert ~ perfection is unachievable.

Having personally experienced anxiety and low self-worth, I deeply resonate with clients facing similar challenges.

This personal insight allows me to provide a unique level of empathy and understanding, helping you navigate these feelings with proven CBT strategies.

My Counselling style is informal and relaxed; you won't find me using jargon in our sessions, and there are no "power suits" here! 

If you, as the client, don't feel relaxed and comfortable with me, you're unlikely to feel you can open up and be yourself . My priority is to connect with you, ensuring you feel understood and supported throughout our work together.

Menopause is another area I have plenty of personal experience in!  Because of this, I have further trained as a Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner. This dual perspective allows me to offer comprehensive support to women experiencing the physical and emotional challenges of menopause, helping them manage symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

When you work with me, you can expect to feel truly heard. I don't just listen, I genuinely hear what you share. My aim is for you to feel how I would want to feel .

I accept you as you are and do not judge you for your past actions, your feelings about others, or your current life situation. I believe everyone's story is unique, and I am not here to judge. You can expect to leave each session feeling equipped to face challenges, validated, and truly understood.

 

Qualifications & Training

Advanced Integrative Diploma in REBT/CBT (Accredited)

Advanced Diploma in REBT/CBT

Diploma in REBT/CBT

Diploma in Counselling Skills (Level 3)

Menopause and Wellbeing Practitioner (Accredited)

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 

Somatic Mind-Body Healing Practitioner (Accredited)