Integrative Counselling
Lauren Carter
“Pain is pain, whether medicine has an explanation for it or not. It has physical and psychological impacts regardless of its cause. Living with pain can be very stressful, scary and isolating, for it has obvious effects on your mental health” (BACP)
I am an Integrative Counsellor (MBACP). I work with adults and young people (16+) to provide a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space. I aim to support you as an individual, to explore, at your own pace, personal or difficult issues that may be causing you pain or distress.
My integrative, relational approach draws on techniques from different types of therapy, so I can tailor my work specifically to you. I am trained in a number of modalities including Person-Centred, Psychodynamic, Existential and Cognitive approaches. I also use mindfulness and breathing techniques, where appropriate, to support my clients with being present in the moment and transform the way they relate to and manage emotional and/or physical pain.
I believe there isn’t just one therapeutic approach that can help you. My flexible approach helps to foster a safe and nurturing environment for personal growth and healing. My practice also draws on embodied and somatic approaches to trauma, which means I use the body as a tool for deeper healing and self-awareness.
What I can help with
Abuse – emotional, sexual and physical
Anxiety
Addiction
Cancer
Chronic illness
Chronic pain
Coping skills
Depression
Domestic Violence
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Life Transitions
Loss
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Stress
Trauma
How can counselling help with pain?
“Feeling listened to and understood changes our physiology; being able to articulate a complex feeling, and having our feelings recognised lights up our limbic brain and creates an ‘aha’ moment” (Bessel Van Der Kolk, 2015)
Therapy can give you a safe space, where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and emotions without judgement.
Being seen, believed and supported can help enormously. It can enable you to reach a place of acceptance and develop coping strategies.
I abide by strict confidentiality guidelines, which prevent me from sharing any information from our sessions with others. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and I abide by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
What can I expect in my first session?
You can book a Complimentary 15-minute Telephone Consultation, before you meet me in person.
Our first face-to-face session is an opportunity to meet each other and see how you feel about working with me. There are some standard questions I go through with every client, as well as explaining about confidentiality. Most of the session will be about giving you space to tell me what has bought you to therapy and us exploring together how it could help you. Any questions are welcome. We can also discuss any apprehension you may feel about therapy, alongside any expectations you may have.
There is no obligation to continue with sessions if you do not feel it is the right choice for you or if I feel I am not the right person for you.
How I deliver therapy
I offer short or long-term, open ended, face-to-face support, time-limited and/or goal focused support and online therapy.
