“Honesty starts with learning to tell yourself the truth” – Dr. Edith Eger
Hello, my name’s Lis and I am an Integrative psychotherapist / counsellor.
I understand that taking the first steps to seeking professional help can feel daunting, and that opening up to a complete stranger is not an easy thing to do. Let me assure you that together, we can work at a pace that feels comfortable to you.
As an integrative psychotherapist I have trained in a range of therapeutic approaches, and develop a way of working with you that is most appropriate to your unique needs and experiences.
I am humanistic in my approach to therapy, integrating existential, gestalt and person-centred approaches, and occasionally other approaches where it is appropriate. If you would like to know more about this please don’t hesitate to ask.
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As a therapist, I offer:
- a genuine desire to help, and to learn about you and the difficulties you are facing.
- a relationship based on acceptance and respect.
- the ability to really listen, and to respond empathically and with sensitivity in order to support you in addressing the difficulties in your life.
- a willingness to adapt my approach to suit your uniqueness as a person with your own distinctive needs.
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Whilst I am always supportive of clients who identify with a particular psychiatric label (such as depression), I would describe myself as a non-pathologising therapist. I believe that emotional distress is a completely normal and understandable reaction to any difficult or perhaps traumatic experiences a person has encountered in their lives. Trauma doesn’t have to be anything hugely dramatic either – most people have experienced some difficulties at some point in their lives and these can all negatively impact overall psychological wellbeing. My approach involves acknowledging, normalising and validating these experiences and the emotions / reactions associated with these, rather than pathologising them.
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Experience and Interests
I set up my private practice in 2017, and work with adults experiencing a range of psychological / emotional difficulties.
Before this, I worked as a counsellor for the Parenting Project Counselling Service in Stratford Upon Avon and for Age UK Warwickshire.
Over the years I have developed a particular interest in working with parents, particularly new parents experiencing difficulties during the postnatal period.
Prior to my psychotherapy training I worked as a primary school teacher, as a domestic violence support worker for Victim Support Warwickshire, and as an assitant psychologist with families of children with learning disabilities.
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Qualifications, Professional membership and Continuing Professional Development
I completed my undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2004 and my Certificate in Counselling skills in 2005.
I then went on to complete a graduate certificate (2013), postgraduate certificate (2014) and postgraduate diploma (2015) in Integrative Psychotherapy.
I was awarded my MSc in Integrative Psychotherapy in 2019.
I am an accredited clinical member of UPCA (Universities Psychotherapy & Counselling Association) and a registered clinical member of UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy).
I abide by both the UPCA’s ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ and the UKCP’s ‘Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Conduct’.
I am also an accredited registrant member of the National Counselling Society (NCS) and abide by their ‘Code of Ethics’.
I regularly attend CPD (continuing professional development) events, workshops and lectures as part of my professional development.
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A little bit more about me…
I live on the Warwickshire / Worcestershire border with my husband and two young sons. I attend regular personal therapy myself which I think really benefits my work as a therapist and helps me to nurture my own psychological health so that I am best placed to help my clients. My self care habits include running, yoga, reading (mostly audiobooks at the moment as I’m often multitasking!) and spending time in nature.
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