Safe Shores Counselling
Counselling and Therapy in Poole, Dorset
Welcome...
and thank you for visiting Safe Shores Counselling
I'm Lucy, and I specialise in Bereavement, Grief and Loss by helping people navigate some of the many difficult thoughts, feelings and emotions of bereavement and gently helping them to untangle them. Not all grief comes from a bereavement, we can grieve when go through the loss of anything that matters to us; a job, a home, a friend, our health, we can even grieve for things we didn't have in the past but wanted or needed at the time, and I can help with all of these too.
There are no words to describe what grief feels like, it's as unique and individual to each of us as our finger prints. When we experience the loss of a loved one or anything we hold dear, grief can feel like waking up in a world that looks the same but feels completely different. Ordinary tasks can feel heavier, time can seem as if it's moving and standing still all at once and it might look to others that we're "OK" on the outside, but on the inside, everything has been rearranged.
Grief is more than sadness, it can be many different feelings like sorrow, longing, anger, guilt, numbness which can come over us in waves through the day or hit like us a Tsunami all at once. You might have times when it feels like you're swimming against an endless tide of emotions, and others where you're treading water just to stay afloat.
Although therapy cannot change or erase what has happened, it can help you find your way to calmer waters and the safety of the shore. And if it feels right for you, and when you're ready, I'm here to make the journey with you, one wave at a time.
How I Work
Counselling and therapy with me is a safe, calm and supportive space where you can begin to feel better. It's a place 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.
We will only ever go at a speed you feel safe and comfortable with and each session will be a partnership rather than someone giving you advice or telling you what to do. I truly believe loss and grief aren't things that can be "advised on" or "fixed," they are feelings that need space and compassion, so instead, I will help you find your own answers by walking beside you and supporting you every step of the way.
Here are just some of the areas I can help with.
Anticipatory Grief
Anxiety
Anger
Bereavement
Depression
Grief
Low Self-Confidence
Low Self Esteem
Motivation
Panic attacks
Physical Health
Redundancy/Job Loss
Relationships
Separation and divorce
Spirituality
Sudden/Traumatic Loss
Trauma
Terminal/Life Limiting Illness
About Therapy
I'm what is called an integrative counsellor which is a way of working that draws on different counselling methods so that every session is tailored to what you feel is most helpful to you.
Alot of how I work comes from a model called IFS (Internal Family Systems) which is a very compassionate approach for healing grief and trauma and navigating life-changing losses. It understands we all have different "parts" of ourselves, that step in to try and help us, especially during times of stress and trauma. IFS can help you make space for your grief, build a new relationship with your loss and help the parts of you which are hurting to feel less burdened.
Grief is rarely one feeling, we all have many parts, and after a loss you may find some of those different parts reacting in different ways. You might notice a part of you feels devasted, a part that feels angry, a part that's trying to keep everything together or a part that is carrying intense guilt or regret. You might also notice different parts that are trying to pull in opposite directions for example, a part of you that wants to "move on" and another part that can't bear to "let go" or "leave them behind" None of them are wrong, they are all trying to help you get through whatever has happened, whether it's something very recent or a long time ago
In our sessions together, we make space for all the parts of you that are there and rather than try to push them away, we gradually get to know them and help them feel heard, supported and understood. This often allows them to soften naturally and help them reconnect with the wise, steady, compassionate self of you that can hold grief and navigate loss without being overwhelmed by it.
IFS can be especially helpful for trauma, sudden/traumatic grief and losses that bring up unresolved pain or deep longing for who or what was lost. It can also be very helpful for grief that feels stuck in some way such as difficulty reconnecting with life, feeling frozen or persistent guilt or self-blame.
I have completed advanced level 2 training in IFS which allows us to work safely with deeper layers of grief, trauma and protective coping strategies.
For more information about IFS, please see the video below or contact me for more information.
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 understand tat reaching out for help can be daunting so I offer a free initial, 20 minute, confidential telephone session where 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 each in-person and online session 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.
Bereavement, Grief & Loss Workshops
I can provide training workshops to groups and organisations who would like to gain an insight into the impact of bereavement, grief and loss and increase their level of confidence in supporting others.
Please contact for more information
Get in Touch
Please contact me if you have any questions about how I can help or would like to arrange an initial free of charge telephone session. Alternatively, you can call me on 07568 923506.
All enquiries are completely confidential and I will aim to reply within 24 hours.
** Please state your preferred contact method (ie phone, text or email) in your message. **
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've been counselling since 2018 and in addition to my work here, have experience of counselling and running training course in hospices and other charities.
I was drawn to working with bereavement, grief and loss because I believe it is one of the most difficult experiences we can ever go through. Not only does it generate many painful thoughts, feelings and emotions, it changes us in ways that others can sometimes find hard to understand and often challenges everything we thought we knew about the world, from our sense of identity to our sense of direction and purpose.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy dance, painting and drawing and taking long walks in nature. I also run a gentle wellbeing class for a local charity to help people stay active, build confidence and connect with others.
Qualifications
- IFS Level 2 (IFS Institute 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)
* please note that I'm currently unable to offer help and support to children and young people under 18
