Louise is a practising Senior Counsellor/Psychotherapist and a retired Mental Health Nurse and with over 39 years’ experience of working within the National Health Service (NHS). 

Louise have also served 4 years with the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps prior to her NHS work.

Louise incorporates Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) skills into her counselling and psychotherapy and has a special interest in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Trauma, Sexual Abuse, Harm Minimisation, Relational and Attachment issues. Louise has also worked extensively with Childhood Sexual Abuse and Trauma.

As a therapist, Louise aims to work holistically with her clients, taking into consideration their physical problems as well as their emotional and behavioural issues. This is an integral part of her work as she believes that both physical and mental pain are inextricably linked. For those clients who have both physical and mental health problems, she is able to explore nutritional and exercise needs liaising with your GP, if required.

Louise aims to work collaboratively with each client offering bespoke care plans and therapeutic sessions. Each person is unique and whilst we all experience similar feelings, e.g. loss, grief, anger, sadness too mention but a few, we all deal with our pain and suffering in different ways. No two clients are the same and that is why Louise offers tailor made care plans. Louise can also provide in-between session resources, if required.

Louise’s first session is an opportunity for you to meet in comfortable surroundings and to explore what brings you to therapy at this point in your life. You will look at what is currently troubling you and how you have been managing your difficulties; what works for you and what doesn’t. You will also explore your expectations of therapy and to determine some initial goals that you may want to achieve. Louise may offer to assess your symptoms of low mood, anxiety or other specific problems that you present with if you are comfortable with this and if it is appropriate to do so.

Louise can help with Abuse, Anger management, Anxiety, Autism spectrum, Bereavement, Cancer, Child related issues, Depression, Health related issues, Identity issues, Loss, Men’s issues, Personal development, post-traumatic stress, Redundancy, Relationships, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Service veterans, Sex-related issues, Stress, Trauma, Women’s issues, and work related issues

Training

Louise trained as a Mental Health Nurse in 1981 at the Lorna Delve School of Nursing in Horton Hospital, Epsom. Following completion of her training, Louise undertook 6 months post-qualification experience in Forensic Psychiatry on the regional secure unit (Horton Hospital) and then 12 months in Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire on the female high security ward.

Louise later trained as a Psychotherapist in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Upon qualifying, Louise worked for the NSPCC and then the NHS. As part of her role as an NHS Psychotherapist and Counsellor, she worked for a period of time in HMP Holme House (Stockton, Teesside), combining her interest in Forensic Psychiatry with Counselling.

Qualifications

Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (1997)

Certificate in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (2016)

Certificate in Counselling (1993)

Retired Mental Health Nurse (1983-2019)