Safe Shores Counselling
Counselling and Therapy in Poole, Dorset.
Welcome...
and thank you for visiting
I'm Lucy, I'm a counsellor and IFS therapist based in Poole, Dorset and I specialise in helping people navigate bereavement, grief and loss, including non person losses.
Bereavement and the grief of losing a loved one isn't just sadness or something we "get over" eventually. It changes our world forever and challenges everything we thought we knew about it. The weight of grief can be heavy and exhausting to carry too and I'm here so you don't have to hold it alone.
Non-person losses can also generate feelings of grief even though we don't always think of it like that. The loss of anything that matters; a job, a home, a relationship, our health, signifies the end of something we valued, and so we can grieve. Past traumas can also hold grief which new wounds often open up and I can help with these too.
If you're visiting because you're struggling right now, I really am so sorry for what's happened. Although therapy can't turn the tide and change it, it can help you ride the waves and find the safety of the shore.
How I Work
When a loved one is taken from us or we lose something we held dear, ordinary moments can seem heavier, everyday tasks harder to do and the solid ground we once stood on can feel more like constantly shifting sands.
Counselling and therapy with me is a safe, calm and supportive space where you can begin to feel lighter and where the waves can settle long enough for you to breathe. We can talk about the things that matter to you but if your thoughts and feelings seem too big or jumbled up to find the words for, don't worry, we can figure it out together.
We will only ever go at a speed you feel comfortable with and each session will be a partnership rather than someone giving you advice or telling you what to do. However well intended, it's not always helpful, so instead, I'll help you find your own answers and walk beside you every step of the way.
Here are just some of the areas I can help with.
Bereavement
Anticipatory/Pre-Bereavement Grief
Complicated Grief
Prolonged Grief
Sudden/Traumatic Loss
Terminal/Life Limiting Illness
Non-person losses
Pet Bereavement
Loss of Confidence
Low Self Esteem
Anxiety
PTSD
Redundancy/Job Loss
Relationships
Separation and divorce
Spirituality
Trauma
This is not a full list so if you feel I might be able to help you with something not shown, please do get in touch.
About Therapy
A lot of how I work comes from a model called IFS (Internal Family Systems) which is a fancy name for a therapy that sees us all as having different sides or "parts" to us which sometimes need our help and understanding to heal.
Whilst IFS can be transformational, it's not the only way I can help.
Sometimes, we don't need lots of information about different counselling methods when we're already feeling overwhelmed, we just need someone who can walk beside us in our pain, witness and hold our grief and "get it" without us needing to explain it.
If the idea of working with parts resonates with you in some way, we can incorporate it into our sessions but if it doesn't, or it feels too much right now, that's OK too. Just skip to the next page where you'll find more information about therapy appointments and availability.
IFS for Bereavement, Grief, Loss and Trauma
If IFS is something you'd like to know more about , here's a little about what it is and how it can help.
Grief is rarely one feeling, it's lots of them, and they show up in different ways for each of us. You might notice a part of you that feels angry, a part that carries guilt or regret, a part that's trying to keep everything together or a part that's trying to avoid difficult feelings. You might also notice parts in opposition. A part of you might want to "move on" while another part can't bear to "let go." None of these parts are wrong, they're all trying to help you through what's happened, whether it's a recent bereavement or loss or a trauma from long ago.
How IFS Can Help
In IFS, we make space for all the parts that are showing up, gradually getting to know them and helping them feel heard and understood. This often allows them to "turn down the volume" on some of those big thoughts and feelings and we can help them connect with the wise, compassionate Self of you that can hold grief and loss without being overwhelmed by it.
However we journey together in our sessions, 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, work to their high professional standards and will always put your wellbeing and safety at the heart of everything we do.
Appointments
In-person sessions in Poole 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 that reaching out for help can be a big step so I offer a free 20-30 minute, confidential telephone session to see how you feel about us working together without any obligation.
If you feel I can be of help to you after our initial call, the cost of each in-person and online session is £60.00 per 50 minute session.
Outdoor Therapy
Outdoor sessions are £70 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 bespoke 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 aim to reply within 24 hours.
Please note I will be closed from 5 May to 22 May and unable to reply to enquiries made between these dates until 23rd May.
** Please state how you'd prefer me to contact you (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 and supporting people through loss and bereavement since 2018, first as part of my training and then after I fully qualified in 2020. I'm also experienced in group coaching and training workshops.
I chose to specialise in bereavement, grief and loss because I know, from my own experience, what a dark and lonely place it can be and wanted to be there for others so they wouldn't feel quite so alone.
Outside of my practice, I enjoy dance, painting and drawing and taking long walks in nature. I also run a wellbeing class for a local charity to help people stay active, build confidence and connect with others.
Qualifications
(Copies of all my qualifications are available on request )
- IFS Advanced Level 2
- Advanced Diploma in Integrative Counselling
- CBT Level 5
- Level 2 Certificate in Therapeutic Use Of Person Centred Creative Arts
- Mindfulness Practitioner Certificate
- Diploma in Counselling Children and Young People (8-25 years) *
* I'm currently unable to offer help and support to children and young people under 18