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Currently accepting new clients: 

Friday day time 

Weekday evenings - limited availability

Hi I’m Laura I have over 10 years frontline experience working with clients who have experienced trauma. I find working with trauma clients in counselling is incredibly rewarding. Witnessing their resilience and strength as they navigate the healing journey is awe-inspiring. It's an honour to provide a safe space for them to process their pain, find their voice, and reclaim their lives. Seeing them transform and grow is a reminder of the power of empathy, compassion, and the potential for profound healing. I know first hand how impactful trauma can be to a person and having the right therapist can help within that journey.

I believe in the power of empathy and compassion in the therapeutic process. I work with you collaboratively, tailoring my approach to suit your unique needs and goals. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma, or any other personal challenge, know that I am here to help you find the strength and resilience within

I understand that reaching out for counselling can be a significant step, and I want you to know that you are not alone in your journey. As a counsellor, my utmost priority is to provide a safe and supportive space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings, and concerns without judgment.

Not all people respond to one type of psychotherapy. I utilise a variety of psychotherapy theories and methodologies to provide the best possible treatment outcomes for clients. The types of therapies provided are listed and described below.

Behavioral Psychotherapy

A structured behavioral model that examines environmental triggers that produce emotional and physiological responses. Undesirable behaviors can occur and lead to negative consequences. The goal is to change problematic behaviour.

Person centred

Harnesseses the client's natural self-healing process. Given the right relationship with the therapist, clients can decide what they want to do with their lives. To this end, person-centred therapy is a personal growth model also known as non-directive therapy.

Sand tray

A type of play therapy that encourages people to express their inner world in a non-verbal way. Therapy may last from one session to multiple sessions that happen over a period of time. Studies have shown it can help people talk about their previous trauma and ongoing challenges.

Dyadic developmental psychotherapy

A psychotherapeutic treatment method for families that have children with symptoms of emotional disorders, including complex trauma and attachment disorders. Builds secure relationships that help the child manage stress and emotions better. The child is helped to heal from past trauma.

Mindfulness

A practice of awareness and noticing your mind, body and surroundings in the present moment without judgement.

Neurolinguistic programming

An approach to communication and personal development that focuses on how individuals organise their thinking, feelings and language. It has been used to assess and treat a variety of clinical symptoms, including depression, anxiety and stress.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

A talking therapy can help manage issues by changing the way you think and behave. It's mostly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be used for other mental health problems.

At Ocean Trauma Counselling, I am passionate about creating an inclusive and accessible space for individuals seeking support on their mental health journey. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to prioritize their well-being, and financial considerations should not be a barrier to accessing quality therapy.

One way I demonstrate this commitment is by offering a reduced rate for the first therapy session. This initial step into therapy can be significant, and I want to ensure that individuals from all walks of life feel welcome and empowered to take that step. I understand that seeking therapy can be a meaningful but sometimes challenging decision, and my goal is to make the process as supportive and approachable as possible.

My decision to provide a reduced rate is rooted in empathy and a genuine desire to reach those who may face financial constraints. Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, and I want to contribute to a community where everyone feels they can access the support they need.

By offering a reduced rate for the first session, I hope to not only reduce financial barriers but also create a positive and affirming experience from the very beginning of our therapeutic journey together. It's important to me that clients feel comfortable, supported, and empowered to continue their exploration of personal growth and healing.

currently taking on students for clinical supervision or practitioners who work within a trauma setting

I have over 10 years experience working with vulnerable clientele (children and adults) within Victim Support, Sexual Assault Referral Centres, Fostering Agencies, Domestic Abuse Charities and the Police. I am an experienced integrative counsellor/psychotherapist with a specialty in working with survivors of Domestic and Sexual abuse; working with trauma and PTSD. Previous positions include Children's Therapy Service Manager, Crisis Worker, Sexual violence counsellor for adults and children & young persons (CYP), CYP case manager.

I support clients with anxiety, depression, OCD, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, bullying, gender identity, self-harm, disordered eating, phobias and addictions. I offer a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space in which to help promote growth and change.

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I have an MScI in Forensic & Investigative Psychology and a degree in Counselling. I am a qualified Young Person Violence Advisor (YPVA), qualified mental health first aider and a member of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ (British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) 

I grew up in Borneo, California, Norway and England and also spent significant periods of time in Italy, Brazil and Australia which afforded the opportunity to gain cultural competency.

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As a therapist working with children and adults - the most rewarding part of my role is to help assist clients in their journey of empowerment in finding their voice. Helping clients overcome adversity they may have experienced to return to a sense of normality and find themselves again is always at the core of any sessions.

In our sessions, my aim is to create a safe and supportive space for open dialogue, reflection, and learning. Together, we will explore your experiences, challenges, successes, and any areas where you seek guidance. This is a space free of judgment, where we can engage in constructive conversations aimed at enhancing your clinical skills and confidence.

I encourage you to bring forward any cases, questions, or topics that you feel are important for your development. Your active participation is key to tailoring our supervision sessions to meet your unique needs and aspirations as a therapist.

As we embark on this journey together, I want to emphasize the collaborative nature of our supervisory relationship. I am here to provide guidance, feedback, and support, but I also value your insights and perspectives. Together, we will work towards creating a professional space that nurtures your growth and contributes to the well-being of your clients.

If there are specific goals or areas of focus you'd like to address during our sessions, please feel free to share them. Our time together is dedicated to your professional development, and I am committed to assisting you in achieving your goals.