Íø±¬ÃÅ

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Hello! I'm Lynda. I am a qualified and registered person-centred counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (Íø±¬ÃÅ). 

I work with adults, children and young people and believe in building a trusting, safe, non-judgemental and respectful relationship between counsellor and client, regardless of age. I acknowledge that every person is unique and understand that they bring their own set of experiences, beliefs and values and personal challenges to counselling. I am not the expert on how a person feels, they are, and as such, I will not be directive in our sessions; I work to support you in your personal growth by offering empathy, genuineness and acceptance in order to help you use your own inner resources to move forward.

My adult work includes anxiety, depression, grief, suicidal ideation, relationships, low self-esteem, navigating life transitions, gender-based violence, , miscarriage, terminal illness, attachment but is not limited to this list.

Children and young people can face a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges and my work has included anxiety, low self-esteem, grief, family changes, difficulties at school, childhood sexual abuse and childhood trauma. These issues may be expressed through changes in mood, behaviour, or play, and counselling offers a safe space for children and young people to explore these feelings.

I also value diversity and inclusivity in my practice. I have experience working with clients from a variety of cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds, and I am committed to creating a space that is welcoming to all. I work affirmatively with LGBTQ+ individuals and families, recognising the unique challenges that can sometimes arise around identity, acceptance, and belonging.

I am committed to ongoing professional development to ensure best practice. My Íø±¬ÃÅ membership means I adhere to their Ethical Framework, ensuring that I work safely, respectfully, and in the client's best interests.

As a Person-Centred practitioner, I believe that each individual has the capacity for growth, healing, and self-understanding when offered empathy, acceptance, and genuineness. With adult clients, my focus is on the client’s own experience and perspective, rather than imposing interpretations or solutions. I work to help the client trust their innate ability to make sense of their world, and through self-exploration, increased self-acceptance and greater emotional resilience can result. I believe the relationship itself becomes the foundation for change, as the client begins to feel valued, respected, and empowered to move towards their own goals at a pace that feels right for them.

I use play when working with children. Child-centred play offers an opportunity to process difficult feelings such as sadness, anger, confusion, or fear, while also fostering greater self- awareness and self-confidence. Play is the natural language of children and through play, they can express feelings, thoughts, and experiences that might be too complex or overwhelming to put into words.

When working with children, I also recognise the importance of collaborating with parents or carers. While the therapeutic space for the child remains confidential, I may offer general feedback and simple suggestions to parents or carers for what may be useful outside of sessions.

This approach ensures that the child’s progress in therapy is supported in their everyday environment. It also helps strengthen the child’s support network, which is often key to long-term emotional well-being. 

On making contact with me, you will be offered an initial online appointment which is free of charge, and which lasts approximately 30 minutes. This will be a relaxed conversation where you can share what has brought you here, what you hope to gain, and any concerns or questions you may have. This appointment is an opportunity for you to see whether my approach feels right for you. Before we meet, I will provide information about my practice, including session structure, confidentiality, and practical arrangements, so you know what to expect.

In our first session together we will go at your pace, take time to get to know one another and hopefully help you to feel comfortable in the space. Counselling can initially feel a little strange for some people and I understand this. It may take time to 'settle in'.

When working with children or young people, the first session usually starts with time for parents or carers and the child together. We discuss the reasons for seeking counselling, the child’s strengths, and any recent changes in their life. I explain how I use play and creative activities to help children express themselves. I may then spend time with the child one-to-one so they can begin to feel at ease in the therapy space, using play or drawing to explore their feelings in a safe and gentle way.

For parents, I provide space to ask questions and discuss how to support their child outside of sessions. While I maintain the child’s confidentiality, I may share general observations to guide that support.

Whether you are seeking therapy for yourself or your child, the first appointment is about creating a safe, respectful environment where you feel heard and understood. There is no obligation to continue afterwards, and you are free to take time to decide. My aim is that you leave our first meeting feeling reassured, supported, and ready to take the next step, whenever that may be.