Welcome
Hi, I'm Lucy, a counsellor based in Poole and I offer one to one in-person and online counselling to adults over 18. I'm a Bereavement, Grief and Loss Specialist including non-person losses such as the loss of a job, a relationship, a pet, or health and qualified in both CBT and IFS (Internal Family Systems) Therapy and can help with a range of difficulties including trauma, depression and anxiety. I also offer personal therapy for people who are interested in self-exploration, self-discovery and personal growth and development.
When we're struggling with painful feelings and emotions, battling intrusive thoughts or trying to heal from trauma or a life changing loss, it can affect many areas of our lives, from our work and relationships with others, to how we see the world and ourselves. We may lose our sense of identity, purpose or direction, feel trapped inside difficult thoughts we can't seem to find a way out of, no matter how hard we try.
We can be affected physically too with problems like panic and anxiety attacks, poor concentration, muscle pain or problems sleeping which cause us even more pain and suffering.
If you're going through any of these things right now, or struggling in a different way, counselling really can help. Reaching out to someone you don't know can sometimes be the hardest first step of the healing journey, and when you feel ready, I'm here to walk beside you the rest of the way.
How I Can Help
Navigating painful thoughts, feelings and emotions can be hard to do on our own, and confiding in others about how we're really feeling can be difficult too. We might wear a mask and pretend we're Ok, or feel so many different emotions at the same time, we're unable to find the right words to describe them. And sometimes there just aren't any words
Counselling is a space where you can talk in complete confidence about the things you'd like help with and where we can find a way through those things together. You might want a place to talk about and process some your thoughts and feelings or be looking for tools and techniques that help bring positive, and lasting change for you. You might want help to reconnect with the things that give your life meaning or to heal from painful loss or past traumas and be able to face the future with hope again.
Whatever you'd like from counselling, I will meet you with compassion and understanding and we'll go from there together.
Here are just some of the areas I can help with.
Anxiety
Anger Management
Bereavement
Burnout
Cancer
Carer support
Depression
Low Self-Confidence
Low Self Esteem
Mental Health
Motivation
Non-person Losses
Panic attacks
Personal Development/Life Coaching
Physical Health
Redundancy
Relationships
Separation and divorce
Social anxiety
Spirituality
Stress
Trauma
Terminal/Life Limiting Illness
How I Work
Types Of Therapy
I will always be guided by you in how we work together because I understand we all experience things differently and often need different things to help us. I'm what is called an integrative counsellor meaning I can incorporate different counselling methods so every session is tailored to what you feel is helpful to you.
CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy)
As well as being an integrative counsellor, I'm also a qualified CBT Therapist which is a way of working that's been scientifically proven to help with a number of difficulties, including anxiety and depression. It's a form of talking therapy that can help you explore and understand some of the ways unhelpful thoughts and emotions sometimes get in the way of doing the things that matter to you and find more helpful ways of looking at things and being in the world that enable you to live the life you want to.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
IFS is a form of psychotherapy which is also evidence based and helps bring about lasting healing and transformation. It's a way of exploring and understanding your inner world and helping those parts, which we all have, let go of some of the pain and burdens they have been carrying, often for a very long time, and to truly heal.
For more information about IFS , please see the video below or contact me for more information
Working Creatively
From my own experience, I know it isn't always easy to put thoughts and feelings into words, especially when they're all jumbled up together. Creatively externalising what's going on inside us, can often help us make more sense of some of those thoughts and emotions, so we might use things like picture cards, drawings or nesting dolls in our sessions if this is something you feel would be helpful to you.
Our Work Together
However we work together, we will only ever go at a speed that feels right for you and there is never any pressure to move faster in our sessions than you feel safe and comfortable going. Every session will be a partnership, not someone giving you advice or telling you what to do which, however well intended, isn't always helpful. Instead, I will help you find your own answers by walking beside you and supporting you every step of the way.
I'm a registered member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), so you can be sure I have met all their training requirements and work to their high professional and ethical standards.
Appointments
One to one in-person and online appointments are available which can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on what you feel would work best for you.
Availability
I currently have a limited number of appointments available.
Fees
I offer a free initial 20 minute telephone session which is completely confidential, so we can talk a little about what you'd like help with and I can answer any questions you may have.
If you would like us to work together after our initial call, the cost of in-person and online sessions is £58.00 per 50 minute session.
Outdoor Therapy
Outdoor sessions are £65 per 50 minute session, either in and around the beautiful Poole Park or along Poole's lovely quayside. Sessions are also available in the grounds of Upton Country Park.
Training Workshops
I can provide training workshops to groups and organisations who would like to gain an insight into the impact of bereavement and grief and increase their level of confidence in supporting others who have lost a loved one.
Please contact for more information
Get in Touch
Please contact me if you have any questions about how I can help you or to arrange an initial free of charge telephone appointment. Alternatively, you can call me in confidence on 07568 923506.
** Please note that I will be closed from Thursday 20 November to Friday 5th December
My Location
Located in the Old Town part of Poole, Dorset close to Poole Quay, the building is easy to find and readily accessible by car, bus or train. There are plenty of carparks nearby and both the train and main bus stations are just a 10-15 minute walk away.
About Me
I have been counselling since 2018, first as part of my counselling training and then after I fully qualified. In addition to my private practice work, I have 8 years experience of working in hospices supporting both relatives and patients and have previously worked for charities and a GP surgery as a counsellor, health and well being coach and trainer. I also run a gentle exercise class for a community charity.
Qualifications
IFS Level 1 (IFS UK)
Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling (BACP Accredited)
CBT Level 5 (CPCAB)
Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Use Of Person Centred Creative Arts (APCCA)
Mindfulness Practitioner Certificate (NCS Accredited)
Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (BACP Accredited)
FAQs
When you make an enquiry, I will contact you by telephone to arrange a convenient time for us to have a free 20 minute initial call where we will discuss in more detail what you'd like help with and I can answer any questions you may have.
If you'd prefer me to contact you by email to arrange a call, just let me know when you make your enquiry so I can do that for you.
Payments are usually by bank transfer but if you're unable to do this for any reason, just let me know so we can arrange a different payment method that's more helpful to you.
A lot will depend on what you'd like support with but most people find 6 sessions are helpful to start with. We can then review this together to see if you feel more sessions would be helpful. You can cancel our sessions at any time and I will always be guided by you and when you feel is the right time to bring our work to a close.